PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Drake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Dragunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dragunov has chosen National anthem as his entrance music. Ivan Dragunov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Joshua Drake's chin.

Drake
vs
Dragunov

198 cm
23
260 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
278 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Win Nutritional
The Fighter's Ultimate Nutrition

Win Nutritional
Win Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joshua Drake!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivan Dragunov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dragunov swings for the body but Drake moves out of range.
Dragunov throws an overhand right that lands on Drake's shoulder, as Drake tries to avoid the shot.
Dragunov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drake was well out of range. Poor timing from Dragunov.
Dragunov misses with a body shot.
Dragunov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Drake moves away from the strike by Dragunov.
Drake keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Drake is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake throws a right and a left that both miss.
Drake misses with a series of wild punches.
Drake swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragunov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov wants to clinch.
Ivan Dragunov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dragunov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Joshua Drake is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dragunov tries to close the distance and clinch but Drake swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dragunov throws out a loose jab but Drake uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Drake is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Drake digs a good body shot into Dragunov's ribs.
Dragunov dodges the punch combination from Drake.
Dragunov tries to close the distance and clinch but Drake swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Drake throws a series of strikes that have Dragunov backpedaling.
Drake keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dragunov.
Dragunov misses with a hook. Drake ducked under it nicely.
Drake misses with a double jab

and Dragunov counters with a takedown into side control.
Dragunov laying and praying for a moment but Drake takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake wants to get back to his feet.
Dragunov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Drake does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dragunov prevents Drake from standing back up.
Drake moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Dragunov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Drake swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Drake looking to control.
Dragunov prevents Drake from getting back to his feet.
Dragunov trying to control the position from guard on top but Drake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Dragunov walks into a stiff left hand from Drake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Dragunov is looking to clinch.
Dragunov is looking to clinch.
Dragunov tries to close the distance and clinch but Drake swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dragunov misses with a shot to the body
and Drake cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dragunov wants to clinch.

Dragunov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joshua Drake will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dragunov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragunov looks to clinch
and Drake counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Drake fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Dragunov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Drake counters with a series of strikes. Dragunov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Dragunov wants to clinch
and Drake counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Drake just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Drake counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Drake throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dragunov is looking to chop away at Drake's legs.
Drake moves out of range as Dragunov throws a body kick.
Drake lands with a right hand.
Dragunov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drake looks to score with a jab to the body but Dragunov is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dragunov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drake.
Drake scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Drake is looking to wear down Dragunov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Dragunov needs to keep his hands up - Drake had a free shot at his head there.
Dragunov throws the left hand but Drake avoids the punch easily.
Dragunov misses with a straight right.
Drake throws a hook but Dragunov avoids it easily.

Dragunov instigates a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dragunov.

Drake breaks from the clinch.
Dragunov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Drake counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov tries to clinch
and Drake counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dragunov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Dragunov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dragunov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Drake counters with a left to the body.
Dragunov throws an overhand right that lands on Drake's shoulder, as Drake tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake misses with a hook. Dragunov ducked under it nicely.
Dragunov fails to land the takedown.
A nice combination there by Drake.
Dragunov wants to clinch but Drake slips to the side
and Drake counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Dragunov thinking.
Dragunov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Drake counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Drake moves away
and Drake cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Drake throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Drake dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dragunov misses with a body shot
and Drake counters with a series of strikes. Dragunov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Drake is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Dragunov missing with a left hand there. Drake was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dragunov tries to clinch
and Dragunov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Drake throws a shot to the body.
Drake throws a nice looking combination but Dragunov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Drake scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dragunov clinches but Drake breaks the clinch
and Drake counters with a series of strikes. Dragunov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Dragunov clinches but Drake breaks the clinch
enabling Drake to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake misses with a hook to the body
and Dragunov counters with a head kick.
Dragunov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Drake counters with a straight right hand.
Joshua Drake is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dragunov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Drake counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Drake misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dragunov.
Dragunov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Dragunov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Dragunov tries to clinch up
and Drake counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov clinches but Drake breaks the clinch
and Drake counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Drake fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Dragunov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Drake.
Dragunov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Drake is fending him off so far but Dragunov persists. Nope, Drake circles away and we're back to standing.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Drake moves away
and Drake counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Dragunov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good exchange - Drake coming out on top.
Nice shot lands for Drake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake misses with a two punch combination.
Dragunov tries to clinch up
and Drake counters with a three punch combo that has Dragunov backing up. Dragunov nods at Drake to acknowledge the strikes.
Dragunov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Drake moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab from Drake.
Dragunov tries to clinch
and Drake counters with a nice uppercut.
Drake scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov tries to clinch
and Drake counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Drake throws a series of punches but Dragunov moves out of range.
Dragunov looks to clinch
and Drake makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Drake lunges at Dragunov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Dragunov's hand.
Dragunov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Dragunov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Drake counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Drake throws a right and a left that Dragunov avoids nicely.
Dragunov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Drake clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Drake throws a big shot that misses.
Drake swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Dragunov moves into the clinch.
Dragunov lands a shoulder strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Drake.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Dragunov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drake's efforts to push away.
Dragunov lands with a left to the head.
Dragunov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Drake is trying to break the clinch but Dragunov has him pressed against the cage.
Dragunov trying to land knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dragunov.
Drake avoiding damage as Dragunov throws knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Dragunov.
Drake takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Joshua Drake has been cut.
Dragunov is working Drake over against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dragunov lands a good knee to the midsection. Drake won't want to take too many of those.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A hook to the body from Dragunov.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dragunov.
A right handed body shot lands from Dragunov.
Dragunov scores with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov leaning against his opponent.
Dragunov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dragunov is working Drake over against the cage.
Dragunov lands with a short shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Dragunov.
Dragunov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Drakes head.
Dragunov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ivan Dragunov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dragunov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Drake backwards.
Dragunov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Dragunov pushes Drake back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dragunov stalling against the cage.
Dragunov scores with a hook to the body.
Dragunov landing knees to the body.
Dragunov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Drake working aggressively here.
Dragunov is working Drake over against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dragunov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Drake is trying to break the clinch but Dragunov has him pressed against the cage.
Dragunov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dragunov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Drake or not.
Dragunov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Drake up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov tries to land a knee to the head but Drake blocks with his arms.
Drake managing to block the knees to the body from Dragunov.
Drake wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dragunov has him pressed against the cage.
Drake lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dragunov or not.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Dragunov swings wildly with an uppercut but Drake uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drake has had enough of the clinch but Dragunov keeps him there for the moment.
Drake blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Drake wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drake is looking to break free of the clinch but Dragunov has double underhooks.
Dragunov lands a body punch.
A frustrated look appears on Drake's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Drake on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Drake looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Drake breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dragunov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Drake counters with a nice body shot.
Dragunov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Dragunov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Drake moves away
enabling Drake to counter with a crisp jab.
Drake displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dragunov.
Drake cracks a nice hook into Dragunov's ribs.
Dragunov misses with a body punch
and Drake counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dragunov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Drake counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Drake cracks Dragunov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Dragunov wants to clinch but Drake slips to the side
and Drake counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Drake ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Drake dips to his left and cracks Dragunov with an uppercut!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Drake throws a nice looking combination but Dragunov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dragunov darts in trying to clinch
and Drake makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Dragunov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Joshua Drake's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Drake misses the shot to the body.
Dragunov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drake.
Joshua Drake is winning the standup battle so far.
Drake cracks a nice hook into Dragunov's ribs.
Dragunov looks to clinch
and Drake counters with a straight right hand.
Drake lands a nice shot to the body.
Drake throws a body punch but Dragunov moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragunov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Drake counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Drake connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Drake fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dragunov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Dragunov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Drake counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Drake misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drake.
Drake works the jab nicely.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Drake moves away
and Drake counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dragunov ducks right into an uppercut from Drake.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Drake moves away
and Drake counters with a stiff right hand.
Drake connects with a body shot.
Drake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dragunov manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov closes the distance but Drake moves to the side
and Drake counters with a three punch combo that has Dragunov backing up. Dragunov nods at Drake to acknowledge the strikes.
A combination from Drake does no damage.
Dragunov looks to clinch
and Drake counters with a stiff right hand.
Dragunov misses the body punch
and Drake counters with a straight right hand.
Drake scores with a shot to the body.
Drake darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Drake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dragunov was well out of range. Poor timing from Drake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake misses the jab.
Drake takes a swing at Dragunov's ribcage but misses.
Drake misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dragunov.
Dragunov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Drake counters with a straight right hand.
Ivan Dragunov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice uppercut lands for Drake. That snapped Dragunov's head back.
Joshua Drake is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dragunov clinches but Drake breaks the clinch
and Drake counters with a left to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joshua Drake showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Drake has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joshua Drake!
Joshua Drake retains his heavyweight title!