PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and River Tam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drago comes to the cage accompanied by Soviet Union National Anthem. Tam has chosen Dangerous as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Ivan Drago has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Drago
vs
Tam

196 cm
26
277 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

198 cm
27
256 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ivan Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, River Tam!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drago throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tam uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Drago.

Drago moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Tam goes down! Can Drago finish him!?

It looks like River Tam has been cut.
Tam wants to stand and escape but Drago is having none of it.
Tam utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Drago landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago throwing strikes from guard but Tam blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Drago accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tam is looking to stand up but Drago isn't so interested in that idea.
Drago looking to pass the guard.
Drago won't allow Tam to get back to his feet.
Drago stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tam swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Drago wants to control from the top but Tam keeps moving.
Tam is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tam slips a jab from Drago.
Tam tries to clinch up.
Drago misses with a few strikes there.
Drago misses with a double jab

and Tam counters by moving into the clinch.
Drago working hard to break the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Tam.
Tam blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Drago lands a right hand.
Tam keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tam swings wildly with an uppercut but Drago uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drago lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tam backwards.
A shot in the inside from Tam.
A short right from Drago on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drago.
Tam tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Drago throws a punch but it's blocked by Tam.
Drago is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tam scores with a shot to the side of Drago's head.
Drago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tam tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Tam lands a shoulder strike.
Tam using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tam lands a left hand.
Drago lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tam avoiding damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tam creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Drago's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tam creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tam.
Drago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Drago lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tam backwards.
Tam stops a takedown attempt from Drago.
Tam blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Tam - that landed with a thud.
Drago is breathing heavily.
Drago has a couple of punches blocked by Tam.
Tam stalling in the clinch but Drago improves position.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Ivan Drago has been cut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Drago.
Drago is working Tam over against the cage.
Tam tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Tam unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Tam with a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Tam.
Tam with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tam lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tam prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Drago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tam scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tam lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tam.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drago.
Tam lands a shoulder strike.

Drago has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Tam regains guard immediately.

Tam pushes Drago off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tam.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tam wants to clinch.
Drago works the jab nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Tam.

Tam instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drago avoiding damage as Tam throws knees to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Tam is working Drago over against the cage.
Tam stalling against the cage.
Drago stalling in the clinch but Tam improves position.
Tam with a knee to the head.
Drago drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tam gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tam is trying to maintain a safe position but Drago gets an underhook and turns Tam into the cage.

Drago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Drago gets tackled into the cage by Tam. Tam maintains the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Tam fails to land.
Drago tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tam tries to stall but Drago uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tam taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tam digs a right hand into Drago's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Drago's gas tank.
Drago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tam lands an uppercut.
Drago letting Tam take a breather here.
Tam with a knee to the head.
Tam is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Drago is keeping busy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tam.
Tam stalling against the cage.
Tam blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice left hand lands by Tam.
Drago misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tam misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tam creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

River Tam dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Drago looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Drago throws a right hand that misses

and Tam counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tam misses with a knee strike.
Drago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drago misses with a hook from the clinch.
Drago digs a right hand underneath Tam's ribcage. Tam let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tam blocks an uppercut.
Drago wants a takedown.
Drago working aggressively here.
Tam lands with a right to the head.

Drago is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tam can't fight it off and eventually Drago manages to take the fight to the floor. Tam looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tam is on top in guard.
Tam must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Drago holds on and takes a little breather.
Drago has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Drago looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tam is one step ahead there.
Drago is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago controlling Tam's posture.

Ivan Drago has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Tam tries to clinch
and Drago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Drago misses the shot to the body.
Drago throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Drago shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Drago with a nice head shot there.
Drago postures up in Tam's guard and throws a big left but Tam blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tam trying to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tam can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tam is looking to sweep but instead, Drago has passed into half guard.
Drago lands strikes from half guard.
Drago lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Drago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tam defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago is trying to control. Tam wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tam wants to control but Drago is keeping busy.
Drago performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tam is looking for a sweep. Drago is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tam avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drago.
Tam looks like he's trying to stand up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Drago connects with a nice short shot to Tam's temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drago slips a nice elbow through Tam's hands, connecting with Tam's forehead.
Tam wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tam manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A slow jab from Drago misses its intended target.
Drago misses with the combination.
Drago misses with a hook.
Drago jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Tam pushes Drago up against the cage in a clinch.
Drago leaning his opponent against the cage.
Drago lands with a light punch inside.
Drago lands with a light punch inside.
Tam makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tam misses with the head strike.
Drago lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
River Tam seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tam tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Drago swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Drago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Drago cracks Tam with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tam darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drago shoots in looking for a takedown but Tam manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Drago's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Drago gets tackled into the cage by Tam. Tam maintains the clinch.
Drago lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tam gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Drago.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Drago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tam stalling in the clinch.
Tam with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tam.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Tam is controlling him.
Drago scores with a hook to the body.

Tam breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Drago throws a right hand that misses

and Tam holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Drago is struggling to control the position.
Tam is trying to break the clinch but Drago has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tam.
Tam tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Tam is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tam misses with a knee to the head.
Drago blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tam looking to stall.
Drago misses with a punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Drago dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Drago connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tam's hands.
River Tam is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Drago rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Tam moves into the clinch.
Tam lands a nice shot to the body.
Tam scores with a knee to the head.
Drago throws a head punch that misses.
Drago stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Drago manages to break the clinch.
Drago misses with a straight right.
Drago misses with a looping right.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tam enables Drago to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tam manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Dragois looking to pass into half guard but Tam pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tam is in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tam trying to control the position from guard on top but Drago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Drago is looking to stand up but Tam isn't so interested in that idea.
Tam wants to control from the top but Drago keeps moving.
Tam is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Drago scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Tam slips a straight right by Drago.

Tam has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Drago.
Tam misses with a knee strike.
Tam is looking to control Drago's arms but Drago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tam has his back to the cage.

Drago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
River Tam is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Drago misses with a hook
and Tam counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A jab from Drago misses.
Tam displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Drago.
Tam tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Drago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tam doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Tam moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
Tam leaves Drago with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tam fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Tam.
Drago is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Tam tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drago misses with an uppercut
letting Tam counter with a right hand.
Tam tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tam tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tam throws a punch but it's blocked by Drago.
Drago has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tam avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Drago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A bit of stalling here from Tam.
Drago working aggressively here.
Drago swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Drago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drago shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tam sprawls well. Tam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Drago gets slowly back to his feet.
Tam lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tam is looking to clinch but Drago is avoiding it.
Tam tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Tam tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tam but Tam pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tam throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Drago is defended easily by Tam.
Ivan Drago is winning the standup battle so far.
Drago on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tam is looking to control Drago's arms but Drago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tam has his back to the cage.
Tam gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Drago.
Tam lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tam prevents a takedown attempt there.
Drago letting Tam take a breather here.
Tam trying to control the position but instead, Drago has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tam into the cage.
Drago swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Drago has Tam pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tam manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Tam.
Tam lands a shoulder strike.
A hook to the body from Tam.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Tam. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
A knee to the head by Tam.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tam taking a breather.
A left hand lands to the body for Tam.
Tam tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Tam landing knees to the head.
Tam scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Drago wants to break free but Tam has control.
Tam misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Drago.
Drago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tam throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Drago softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tam lands a hook that snaps the head of Drago backwards.
Tam misses with a short punch on the inside.
Drago is struggling to control the position.

Drago has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Tam is trying to keep an underhook but Drago manages to get the takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tam is looking to control Drago's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tam avoid being mounted?
Tam is trying to stand.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Drago controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
River Tam comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tam 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... River Tam!