PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Draven DStrange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Messi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

DStrange
vs
Messi

185 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Draven DStrange!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lionel Messi!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messi checks a leg kick nicely.
DStrange looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
DStrange misses with a takedown attempt

and Messi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Messi tries to throw a body punch but DStrange avoids it by throwing Messi back against the cage.
Messi looking for a takedown.
DStrange wants a takedown.
Messi tries to land a knee to the head but DStrange blocks with his arms.
DStrange is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Draven DStrange. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Messi jumps guard and drags DStrange to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
DStrange trying to control the position from guard on top but Messi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DStrange stops Messi from standing up.
Messi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with DStrange. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
DStrange wants to pass the guard but Messi is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

DStrange is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Messi is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Messi has escaped and now he's on top!
Messi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DStrange works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
DStrange trying to control the position.
Messi controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Messi got a little sloppy there for a moment and DStrange has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Messi has managed to get both his arms back between DStrange's legs - danger averted.
Messi looking to pass the guard.
DStrange trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
DStrange wants to sweep here but Messi controlling him for the moment.
Messi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DStrange works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Messi tries to stand but DStrange is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Messi is stalling in the full guard.

Lionel Messi has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

DStrange gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Messi to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

DStrange is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Messi defends well.
DStrange trying to strike off his back.
Messi wants to stand but DStrange has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Messi enables DStrange to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Messi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Messi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

DStrange drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Messi manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now DStrange has Messi in his guard.

DStrange is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Messi trying to control but DStrange is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
DStrange has a closed guard, preventing Messi from standing up.
Messi wants to control from the top but DStrange keeps moving.

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.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

DStrange pushes Messi off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Messi darts in trying to clinch

and DStrange counters with a nice double leg into side control. Messi won't be happy with that.
Messi is trying to get back to his feet.
DStrange misses with the ground and pound.

DStrange is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Messi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
DStrange is looking to take a break and control but Messi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DStrange in side control lands a decent elbow.
Messi dodges the ground and pound from DStrange.

DStrange working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Messi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but DStrange is staying active.
DStrange misses with the ground and pound.
Messi is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, DStrange asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sloppy strikes there by DStrange.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

DStrange looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

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

Draven DStrange dominated that second round.
That's time! DStrange's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Messi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Messi goes for a takedown in the clinch but DStrange prevents it.
Messi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Messi gets underhooks to prevent DStrange's takedown attempt.

Messi jumps guard and drags DStrange to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
DStrange passes Messi's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DStrange stalling away here and it's allowed Messi to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
DStrange tries to free his leg and advance position but Messi is retaining full guard.
Messi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst DStrange is controlling him.
DStrange won't allow Messi to sweep him here.
DStrange is pushing down on Messi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Messi is fighting to maintain full guard but DStrange has managed to sneak the leg through.

DStrange is looking for a kimura here.
Messi trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi wants to get back to his feet.
DStrange slips a nice elbow through Messi's hands, connecting with Messi's forehead.
DStrange is looking to advance position but Messi won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DStrange is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

DStrange seems to be looking for submissions.
DStrange is pressing down on Messi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Messi is holding on for now.
Messi is looking to control DStrange's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Messi avoid being mounted?

DStrange seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DStrange throws a strike but Messi avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
DStrange stands up over Messi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
DStrange works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Draven DStrange overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

DStrange seems to be working for a kimura but Messi defends the submission attempt.

DStrange seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Messi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Draven DStrange showed his dominance in that final round.
I think DStrange 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Draven DStrange!