PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aruki Masura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Drakovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Masura
vs
Drakovski

181 cm
19
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
197 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aruki Masura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vladimir Drakovski!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Drakovski misses.
Masura misses with an attempted mid kick.
Drakovski moves out of range of the body kick from Masura.
Drakovski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masura.
Masura ducks under a wild hook from Drakovski.
Good exchange - Drakovski coming out on top.

It looks like Aruki Masura has been cut.
Drakovski looks to land a combination. Masura sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Drakovski feints and as Masura raises his hands in defense, Drakovski changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masura looking for a sweep. Not yet Masura, not yet.

Masura working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Drakovski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Drakovski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Drakovski looking to pass the guard.
Masura is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Drakovski is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Masura's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Masura's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drakovski trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Drakovski connects with a big shot to the side of Masura's head.
Masura tries to escape but Drakovski has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drakovski lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Masura.
Drakovski connects with a big shot to the side of Masura's head.
You can see the frustration on Masura's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Masura staying busy and making it hard for Drakovski to control.
Drakovski connects with a big shot to the side of Masura's head.
Drakovski tries to keep control of the position but Masura is staying busy.
Masura tries to roll but Drakovski sticks to his back.
Drakovski doesn't have the hooks in and Masura manages to turn into his guard.
Masura won't allow Drakovski to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masura tries to free his leg and advance position but Drakovski is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masura missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Drakovski is on top in guard.
Drakovski looking to pass the guard.
Masura lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Drakovski!
Drakovski is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Masura is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Drakovski has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Masura with shots to the head and body - Drakovski looks very uncomfortable down there.
Drakovski is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drakovski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Drakovski's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Drakovski is squirming around, avoiding Masura's attempts to control the action.
Drakovski is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Drakovski looks gassed!
Drakovski working to try and regain half guard.
Masura looking to control but Drakovski is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Masura with the ground and pound from mount.
Masura wants to take Drakovski's back but he can't do it this time.
Drakovski is squirming around, avoiding Masura's attempts to control the action.

Masura jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Drakovski is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Drakovski and Masura has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

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.
Drakovski is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Masura has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Masura looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Drakovski is avoiding damage well.
Drakovski parries the strikes from Masura easily there. Masura is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Drakovski to escape.

Masura wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Drakovski, who protects the arm well.

Masura tries for a kimura but Drakovski is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Drakovski is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Masura's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Drakovski manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Drakovski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aruki Masura'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.

Drakovski scores with a nice head shot.
Drakovski tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Drakovski throws a shot from downtown. Masura moves away and avoids it.
Drakovski cracks the inside of Masura's front leg.
Drakovski throws a shot from downtown. Masura moves away and avoids it.
Good standup being displayed there by Drakovski as he connects with a hook.
A left lands for Drakovski.
Masura avoids the head kick by Drakovski.
Masura falls off balance throwing a combination
and Drakovski counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Masura walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Drakovski misses the target.
Drakovski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Masura walks into a stiff left hand from Drakovski.
Drakovski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Masura checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Masura avoids the head kick by Drakovski.
Masura misses with a leg kick
and Masura takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Drakovski throws a hook to the side of Masura's head but Masura sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Masura throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Drakovski's waist but Drakovski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Masura off to one side.
Drakovski misses the shot to the body.
Vladimir Drakovski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Drakovski lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masura throws a left and a right that both miss
and Drakovski counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Drakovski throws an overhand right that lands on Masura's shoulder, as Masura tries to avoid the shot.
Drakovski throws a low kick but Masura avoids it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Drakovski. That's going to slow Masura down.

Masura drives through and clinches with Drakovski against the cage.
Masura is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drakovski throws a head punch that misses.
Masura changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Drakovski fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aruki Masura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drakovski lands with a big left! Masura is wobbled badly! Drakovski comes in with a flurry of punches and drops Masura to the floor. The ref jumps in to save him from unneccessary punishment.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Vladimir Drakovski!