PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Drew Molina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sven Verdek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Molina
vs
Verdek

172 cm
21
163 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

167 cm
27
162 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Drew Molina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sven Verdek!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Molina throws out a loose jab but Verdek uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Molina!

It looks like Sven Verdek has been cut.
Verdek works Molina's body with a nice hook.

Molina tries to keep at a distance but Verdek has taken the fight into the clinch.
Verdek prevents Molina from breaking the clinch.
Molina looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Verdek misses with an elbow strike.

Verdek breaks the clinch.
Molina will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Molina throws a series of punches but Verdek moves out of range.
Molina looks to land a left hand but Verdek moved out of range nicely.
Molina throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Verdek wants to slow Molina down by chopping away at his legs.
Verdek throws a wild body kick that Molina sees coming a mile off.
Molina throws a right hand that Verdek ducks under and follows up with a left that Verdek also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Verdek instigates a clinch.

Verdek manages to break the clinch.
Molina swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Verdek counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Molina is looking to stand up but Verdek isn't so interested in that idea.
Verdek trying to control the position from guard on top but Molina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Verdek slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Verdek's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verdek postures up in Molina's guard and throws a big left but Molina blocks it.

Verdek is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Verdek thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Verdek moves out of range of the strikes.
Molina swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Verdek counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molina can't break the clinch.
Verdek stalling the fight.
Molina tries to pull guard but Verdek won't allow it.
Verdek has Molina pushed against the cage.
Verdek lands a left hand.
Verdek can't get the takedown.
Molina drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Molina is trying to break the clinch but Verdek has him pressed against the cage.
Molina tries to break the clinch but Verdek is controlling the position.
Molina can't break the clinch.
Verdek has Molina pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Molina is trying to break the clinch but Verdek is controlling him.
Verdek is trying to drag Molina to the mat but Molina just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Verdek breaks from the clinch.
Molina throws a jab when Verdek was well out of range.
Verdek throws a low kick but Molina avoids it.
Molina misses with a double jab.
A bone on bone clash there as Molina blocks the leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Verdek is defended easily by Molina.
Drew Molina has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sven Verdek.
Verdek tries to score a power double leg takedown but Molina sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Verdek somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sven Verdek dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sven Verdek's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Molina misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Verdek.
Molina looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Molina throws a left and a right that both miss

and Verdek counters by clinching up.

Verdek is trying to trip Molina. He has hold of a leg but Molina is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Verdek persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Verdek trying to control but Molina is working from the bottom.

Verdek thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Verdek tries to free his leg and advance position but Molina is retaining full guard.

Verdek drops back looking for a leg! Molina is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Molina manages to kick Verdek off! Verdek jumps back into Molina's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verdek throwing strikes but missing.
Verdek stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Molina swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Verdek trying to control but Molina is working from the bottom.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Molina swinging wildly here.
Molina blocks a head kick by Verdek.
Molina swinging wildly here.
Molina swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Verdek counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Molina's guard now.
Verdek trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Molina can't keep his opponent in guard - Verdek advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Verdek thows a huge punch but Molina dodges it nicely.

Verdek is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Molina sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verdek not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Verdek is trying to work for a kimura but Molina is defending well.
Verdek wants to control but Molina is keeping him busy.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Verdek wants to pass to mount but Molina is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Molina throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Verdek counters with a nice body shot.
Molina throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Molina throws a right and a left that Verdek avoids nicely.
Verdek misses with a body shot.
Molina misses with a double jab.
Molina looks to land a combination but Verdek avoids it well.
A head kick misses from Verdek.
Verdek tries to clinch there but Molina circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Molina throws a combination that misses

and Verdek counters with a nice double leg into side control. Molina won't be happy with that.

Verdek working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Molina is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sven Verdek showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sven Verdek's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Molina tries to bum rush Verdek with a series of wild strikes but Verdek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Molina scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Molina moves into range and connects with a jab.
Verdek ducks right into an uppercut from Molina.
Verdek throws a leg kick but Molina moved away.

Verdek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Molina, pushing him back against the cage.
Molina is trying to break free.
Molina fails to pull guard.

Verdek breaks from the clinch.
Verdek uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Molina.

Verdek scores with a takedown into Molina's guard.
Verdek looking to sit in guard and control but Molina gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molina preventing the sweep.
Molina knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Verdek on the ground.
Verdek wants to stand up but Molina is controlling him.
Verdek not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Verdek has his foot on Molina's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Molina works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Molina wanted to stand there but Verdek had control of the position.

Verdek uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Verdek looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Verdek takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Molina is looking to escape.
Verdek thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Molina's head.
Molina avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Verdek.

Verdek is working for a kimura but Molina is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verdek is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Molina has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sven Verdek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Verdek trying to control from Molina's half guard. Molina has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Verdek wants to pass the guard but Molina is keeping the position.

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.
Molina being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Molina misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Verdek counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Verdek.
Molina wants to break the clinch but can't.
Molina wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Verdek has him pressed against the cage.
Molina tries for a takedown. No joy.
Molina can't break the clinch.
Verdek drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Molina gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Verdek has Molina pressed against the cage, preventing Molina from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sven Verdek comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Verdek winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sven Verdek!