PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicky Santoro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santoro has chosen A Warrior's Call - Volbeat as his entrance music. 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.

Drago
vs
Santoro

183 cm
30
215 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

191 cm
24
215 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivan Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nicky Santoro!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santoro lands a nice shot that snaps Drago's head back.
Drago misses with a hook.
Drago lands a nice shot to the body.

Santoro has taken the fight to the clinch.
Drago doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Drago lands a nice shot to the body.
Santoro has Drago pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Drago manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drago.
Santoro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drago gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Santoro.
Santoro changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Drago fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ivan Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicky Santoro.
A big left from Drago misses.
Drago fails with an attempt to clinch.
Santoro moves out of range as Drago strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Drago misses its intended target.

Santoro clinches up against the cage.
Drago lands with a right to the head.

It looks like Nicky Santoro has been cut.
Drago misses with a hook to the ribs.
Drago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drago tries a body shot but Santoro blocks it.
Drago doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Drago prevents a takedown attempt there.
Drago is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Drago swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Drago misses with a punch on the inside.
Santoro has Drago pushed against the cage.
Santoro lands a left hand that snaps the head of Drago backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Santoro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drago.

Santoro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Drago scores with a decent looking hook.
Santoro defending well as Drago loads up on a big left hand.
Santoro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Drago.

Drago tries to sprawl but Santoro drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Santoro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drago keeps working.

Santoro is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Drago defends it well.
Drago on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Drago tries to get out of the position.
Drago holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Santoro lands strikes from half guard.
Santoro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Drago's head.
Santoro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Drago's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santoro is looking for a kimura but Drago is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Santoro to get the leverage.
Santoro content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago is refusing to be controlled, as Santoro sits in half guard.

Santoro in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Drago tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Santoro!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Nicky Santoro!
During a confident post fight interview, Nicky Santoro thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.