PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Drake Dragon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Koepfer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koepfer has chosen Mongol as his entrance music. Stephen Koepfer has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dragon
vs
Koepfer

185 cm
22
185 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

168 cm
18
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Londons Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Drake Dragon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stephen Koepfer!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dragon shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Dragon was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Koepfer tries to hold on but Dragon postures up.

Dragon working for a guillotine from mount but Koepfer is in no mood to give up.
Koepfer is looking to get to half guard.
Koepfer is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Dragon manages to capitalize on a mistake by Koepfer to take his back!
Dragon wants to control the position but Koepfer frees himself and scrambles - Dragon manages to regain control in side control.
Koepfer sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Dragon thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragon lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Dragon is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Dragon tries to free his leg and advance position but Koepfer is retaining full guard.
Dragon will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Dragon slips nicely into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Koepfer is trying to control but can't.
Koepfer gets back to full guard.

Dragon gets to his feet - Koepfer follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Koepfer keeps the fight on the outside.
Koepfer ducks under a wild hook from Dragon.
Dragon tries to clinch but Koepfer is having none of it.

Koepfer looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Dragon!
Koepfer throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Dragon regains half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Dragon on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Dragon actively working from the bottom here.
Dragon is breathing heavily.
Dragon makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dragon.
Koepfer trying to control but Dragon is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dragon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Koepfer manages to get himself to full guard.
Koepfer doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Koepfer keeping moving, preventing Dragon from controlling successfully.
Dragonis looking to pass into half guard but Koepfer pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Koepfer is in guard.

Koepfer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Koepfer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Dragon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dragon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Koepfer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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.
Koepfer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Dragon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Koepfer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dragon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Koepfer's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dragon wants to get back to his feet but Koepfer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Koepfer slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drake Dragon dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Koepfer has his takedown stuffed
and Dragon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
Koepfer dives in and grabs Dragon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dragon pushes down on Koepfer's head and hops out.
Dragon doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Koepfer counters with a leg kick.
Dragon slaps away a takedown attempt from Koepfer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Drake Dragon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Koepfer.
Koepfer tries to land a body kick

and Dragon counters by clinching up.

Koepfer has hold of one of Dragon's legs. Dragon is fighting the takedown attempt but Koepfer gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Koepfer wants to stand but Dragon is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dragon wants to sweep here but Koepfer controlling him for the moment.

Dragon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koepfer is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragon had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Koepfer defends it easily.

Koepfer gets to his feet. Dragon looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Koepfer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Dragon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Koepfer was well out of range. Poor timing from Dragon.

Koepfer scores a takedown into full mount!

Koepfer working for a guillotine from mount but Dragon is in no mood to give up.
Dragon tries to hold on but Koepfer postures up.
Koepfer throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Dragon because Koepfer loaded up on that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Dragon tries to hold on but Koepfer postures up.
Koepfer misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Dragon is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dragon really wants to buck Koepfer off and get back to his feet.
Dragon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Dragon is working hard here to advance position.
Koepfer controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Koepfer wants to control the pace but Dragon is squirming around nicely.
Dragon taking shots to the head.
Dragon sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Koepfer is trying to control. Dragon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Koepfer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dragon slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Dragon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Koepfer doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Koepfer manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Koepfer trying to control but Dragon is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragon tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Dragon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Koepfer thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dragon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Dragon looking for a guillotine here but Koepfer defends easily.
Koepfer wants to control from the top but Dragon keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dragon misses with a takedown attempt

and Koepfer decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dragon's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Koepfer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koepfer changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Dragon looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Koepfer throws a strike aimed at the side of Dragon's head but Dragon avoids it well.
Dragon tries to buck Koepfer off but Koepfer is having none of it.
Sloppy strikes there by Koepfer.

Koepfer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Dragon has escaped the position, nice work there.

Koepfer tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Dragon sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Dragon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Koepfer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Koepfer's back!
Koepfer rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Stephen Koepfer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koepfer is pressing down on Dragon's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Dragon drops back looking for a leg! Koepfer is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Koepfer manages to kick Dragon off! Dragon jumps back into Koepfer's guard.
Koepfer looking to control.
Dragon sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Koepfer's guard.
Koepfer tries to roll over but Dragon keeps him under control.
Dragon works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Koepfer is looking to reverse the position.
Dragon scores with a couple of short elbows.
Dragon passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Koepfer!

Dragon jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Koepfer manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Dragon decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Dragon has Koepfer up against the cage in a clinch.
Dragon is pushing Koepfer up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer tries to score a body lock takedown but Dragon shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Dragon prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dragon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Koepfer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dragon wants to clinch

and Koepfer counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Dragon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Dragon bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Koepfer's guard.
Dragon stopping the sweep attempt from Koepfer.
Dragon's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer is trying to control the position but Dragon postures up.
Dragon passes Koepfer's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Dragon wants to pass to mount but Koepfer is defending the position.
Koepfer makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Koepfer.
Koepfer manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Dragon is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Stephen Koepfer just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koepfer scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Dragon avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Koepfer.

Dragon looking for submissions off his back.

Dragon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Koepfer works his way into side control.
Koepfer is working Dragon over with some ground and pound from side control.
Dragon tries to bench press Koepfer off him but Koepfer keeps the position.
Check out the look on Koepfer's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Dragon gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koepfer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Dragon actively working from the bottom here.
Dragon wants to get back to full guard but Koepfer has mounted him!
Dragon is trying desperately to improve position.
Koepfer looking to control but Dragon is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Koepfer dominating with strikes here.
Dragon blocking the ground and pound.

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.
Dragon wants to control but Koepfer is having none of it.
Koepfer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dragon is looking to escape.
Dragon working to try and regain half guard.
Dragon flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Koepfer wants to control the pace but Dragon is squirming around nicely.
Dragon is in all sorts of trouble here.
Koepfer trying to control but Dragon is having none of it.

Koepfer is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Dragon has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer avoids the attempt from Dragon to control.
Dragon tries to reverse the position but Koepfer maintains control.

Koepfer has control of Dragon's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Dragon regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Dragon has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Koepfer's lack of action.
Dragon controlling the position for now.

That's four 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.
Dragon gets full guard.

Koepfer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dragon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Koepfer has managed to get both his arms back between Dragon's legs - danger averted.
Dragon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koepfer is one step ahead there.

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

Dragon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Koepfer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dragon is trying to control the position but Koepfer postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Koepfer dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Dragon takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Koepfer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A head kick by Dragon misses
and Koepfer counters with a solid body kick.

Koepfer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Koepfer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Koepfer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Koepfer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Koepfer throwing strikes from guard but Dragon blocks nicely.
Dragon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Koepfer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Koepfer stops Dragon from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koepfer preventing the sweep.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Koepfer ducks under a wild hook from Dragon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragon misses with the combination.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Koepfer.

Koepfer shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Koepfer showed some decent athleticism there.

Koepfer is looking for a kimura but Dragon is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Koepfer to get the leverage.
Koepfer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dragon keeps working.
Dragon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Koepfer is keen to just control but Dragon is a slippery customer.
Dragon gets full guard.
Dragon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koepfer is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koepfer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Koepfer drops back looking for a leg! Dragon is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dragon manages to kick Koepfer off! Koepfer jumps back into Dragon's guard.
Dragon working a defensive guard here.
Koepfer preventing the sweep.

Dragon wriggles free and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer shoots in for a takedown but Dragon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dragon shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Koepfer counters with a takedown into side control.
Dragon sneaks back into half guard.

Dragon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Koepfer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dragon defending well though.
Dragon is trying to control but can't.

Koepfer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Koepfer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dragon defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koepfer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dragon tries to roll over but Koepfer keeps him under control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Dragon throws a left and a right that both miss
and Koepfer counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dragon is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stephen Koepfer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dragon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Koepfer's sensitive parts.
A punch combination from Dragon misses.

Koepfer clinches up with Dragon and pushes him back against the cage.
Koepfer jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dragon walks away with a smile on his face. Koepfer gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Koepfer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Drake Dragon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Koepfer.
Dragon wants to clinch
and Koepfer counters with a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Koepfer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Koepfer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 46:49
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Koepfer!