PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Shalamanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pete Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shalamanov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Imany - You will never know. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Pete Drago was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Shalamanov
vs
Drago

186 cm
27
187 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

188 cm
29
188 lbs
5 - 10 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleksandar Shalamanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pete Drago!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drago lands a nice shot to the body.
No joy there for Drago, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Drago misses the shot to the body.
Drago's corner calls for a 1-2. Drago obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shalamanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Drago's waist but Drago gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shalamanov off to one side.
Shalamanov avoids the body shot from Drago.
Danga de danga de dang - Drago scores with a four punch combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shalamanov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Drago swings for the body but Shalamanov moves out of range.

Shalamanov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shalamanov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shalamanov postures up in Drago's guard and throws a big left but Drago blocks it.
Shalamanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Drago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shalamanov stops Drago from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shalamanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shalamanov postures up in Drago's guard and throws a big left but Drago blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shalamanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shalamanov trying to control but Drago is working from the bottom.
Shalamanov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shalamanov lands a couple of digs.
Shalamanov stops Drago from standing up.
Shalamanov is working Drago over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Shalamanov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Shalamanov has gone for a leg lock! Drago slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shalamanov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shalamanov pulls Drago in close to his closed guard and prevents Drago from doing any damage or advancing position.
Shalamanov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Shalamanov is looking to sweep but instead, Drago has passed into half guard.
Drago tries to stand and escape but Shalamanov actually recovers to full guard.
Drago wants to stand but Shalamanov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shalamanov pulls Drago in close to prevent any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because Aleksandar Shalamanov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Shalamanov looks for a takedown but Drago sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pete Drago will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shalamanov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Aleksandar Shalamanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Drago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shalamanov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Drago as he jumps to the side.
Shalamanov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Drago circles away.
Shalamanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Drago lands a jab to the nose.
A punch combination from Drago misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shalamanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Shalamanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drago throws a combination that misses

and Shalamanov counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shalamanov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Drago sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shalamanov in side control, throwing shots but Drago defends.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shalamanov wants to take a breather but Drago manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Shalamanov.
Shalamanov prevents Drago from getting back to his feet.

Shalamanov has gone for a leg lock! Drago slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shalamanov's guard.

Shalamanov pushes Drago off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago misses with a jab to the body

and Shalamanov counters with a shoot takedown. Drago fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Shalamanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shalamanov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Shalamanov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Drago looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Drago looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Drago!
Shalamanov sneaks back into half guard.
Shalamanov controlling the position well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shalamanov wants to improve his position but Drago is controlling well.

That's four 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.
Shalamanov is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Aleksandar Shalamanov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Shalamanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Drago cracks a nice hook into Shalamanov's ribs.
Shalamanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drago.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shalamanov takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Shalamanov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Drago is trying to defend but Shalamanov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shalamanov stops Drago from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandar Shalamanov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jab by Drago.
Drago takes a swing at Shalamanov's ribcage but misses.
Pete Drago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shalamanov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Drago is trying to stand.
Shalamanov slips a nice elbow through Drago's hands, connecting with Drago's forehead.
Shalamanov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drago keeps working.
Ground and pound from Shalamanov.
Drago has hold of Shalamanov's hands but Shalamanov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Drago wants to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shalamanov wants to pass the guard but Drago is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shalamanov is looking to stall here but Drago recovers full guard.
Shalamanov won't allow Drago to get back to his feet.
Drago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shalamanov working some strikes from top position.
Shalamanov stands up over Drago, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Shalamanov drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Shalamanov seems to have locked his on tight now - Drago screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Shalamanov, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Aleksandar Shalamanov!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Aleksandar Shalamanov waved his t-shirt featuring 1337 ANZAC 's logo in front of the cameras.