PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pete Palahnuik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Dragonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palahnuik's entrance music is Machine Civilization. A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Palahnuik
vs
Dragonov

184 cm
25
189 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
195 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pete Palahnuik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marco Dragonov!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palahnuik moves forwards but Dragonov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Palahnuik thumps Dragonov with a low kick.
Dragonov jabs Palahnuik to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Palahnuik shoots in looking for a takedown but Dragonov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Palahnuik's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Palahnuik scores with a head kick. Dragonov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Marco Dragonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palahnuik keeps the fight on the outside.
Dragonov lands a nice looking body kick.
Dragonov defending well as Palahnuik loads up on a big left hand.
Dragonov wants to clinch.
Dragonov tries to clinch up but Palahnuik circles away and keeps his distance.
Palahnuik throws a leg kick but Dragonov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Palahnuik connects with a crisp jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Palahnuik ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dragonov moves away.
Dragonov thuds a left hand into Palahnuik's body.
Good work by Dragonov as he checks the leg kick.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Palahnuik paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Palahnuik misses the jab.
Dragonov lands a glancing blow to the side of Palahnuik's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palahnuik motions for Dragonov to come forward. Palahnuik throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Dragonov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dragonov misses with the combination.
Dragonov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dragonov throws a right hand that Palahnuik ducks under and follows up with a left that Palahnuik also avoids with ease.
Palahnuik throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dragonov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Dragonov dodges the punch combination from Palahnuik.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dragonov.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragonov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Palahnuik.

Dragonov clinches with his opponent.
Dragonov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Palahnuik's elbow.
Dragonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Palahnuik.

Palahnuik has Dragonov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Palahnuik pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Dragonov tumbling to the mat - Palahnuik dives into Dragonov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik is in close to Dragonov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palahnuik trying to control but Dragonov is working from the bottom.
Palahnuik throws a big right hand that misses.
Palahnuik has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dragonov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Palahnuik stopping the sweep attempt from Dragonov.
Palahnuik stops Dragonov from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dragonov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dragonov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A combination from Palahnuik does no damage.
Sloppy strikes from Dragonov. Those never looked like landing.
Dragonov is looking to clinch but Palahnuik is avoiding it.
Dragonov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Palahnuik.
A head kick misses from Palahnuik.
Marco Dragonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Palahnuik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dragonov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Dragonov is looking to score with low kicks.
That kick from Dragonov tenderised Palahnuik's leg. Palahnuik is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik throws a body punch but Dragonov moves out of range.
Dragonov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Palahnuik misses the shot to the body.
Palahnuik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dragonov keeps the fight on the outside.

Dragonov forces Palahnuik back against the cage and clinches.
Palahnuik misses with a body punch.
Palahnuik takes an elbow to the temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dragonov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd cheers as Palahnuik lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dragonov doesn't seem phased though.
Dragonov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Palahnuik scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A punch combination from Palahnuik misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dragonov.
Palahnuik misses with a double jab.

Dragonov clinches with his opponent.
Dragonov tries to work over Palahnuik's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Marco Dragonov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dragonov with a jab.
Dragonov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Palahnuik closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Dragonov cracks Palahnuik with a right hand to the side of the head.
Dragonov tries to clinch up.
Dragonov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dragonov misses with a hook.
Jab from Dragonov.
Dragonov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Palahnuik.
Palahnuik dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dragonov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Palahnuik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No joy there for Dragonov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Dragonov pushes Palahnuik up against the cage in a clinch.
Dragonov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Palahnuik backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palahnuik just misses with a punch to the body.
Palahnuik cracks the inside of Dragonov's front leg.
Dragonov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dragonov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Palahnuik looks to land a combination but Dragonov avoids it well.
Dragonov tries to clinch there but Palahnuik circles away.
Dragonov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Dragonov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Palahnuik. Palahnuik circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Dragonov tries to clinch but Palahnuik moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palahnuik. Dragonov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dragonov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Palahnuik slips under a jab.
Pete Palahnuik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dragonov tries to clinch but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Palahnuik looks to land a body kick but Dragonov moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Palahnuik instigates a clinch.
Palahnuik keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dragonov's efforts to push away.
Dragonov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palahnuik.
Dragonov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Palahnuik's efforts to push away.
Dragonov lands a body shot in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dragonov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Palahnuik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dragonov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Dragonov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Palahnuik or not.

Palahnuik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dragonov connects with a right hand. Palahnuik shakes it off.
Dragonov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Palahnuik.
Dragonov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Palahnuik closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Palahnuik's efforts to push away.

Dragonov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Palahnuik fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Marco Dragonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dragonov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Palahnuik paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Palahnuik throws a sloppy head kick
and Dragonov counters with a right hand to the body.
Dragonov's corner calls for a 1-2. Dragonov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Dragonov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Palahnuik looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Palahnuik throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dragonov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palahnuik.
Dragonov throws a good cross that connects.
Palahnuik tries a head kick but it misses.
Dragonov lands a really nice looking cross but Palahnuik seems unphased.
Dragonov misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dragonov.
Dragonov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Palahnuik counters with a nice leg kick.
No joy there for Palahnuik, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Palahnuik avoids the body shot from Dragonov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dragonov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Palahnuik takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dragonov takes a swing at Palahnuik's ribcage but misses.
Palahnuik misses with the combination.
Palahnuik misses with a body kick.
Palahnuik throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dragonov connects with the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dragonov misses with a wild body shot.
Dragonov avoids the head kick by Palahnuik.
Palahnuik has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dragonov finds it's way round the side to connect with Palahnuik's head.
Palahnuik throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Palahnuik has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dragonov finds it's way round the side to connect with Palahnuik's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Dragonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Palahnuik's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Palahnuik is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Dragonov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Palahnuik.
Palahnuik tries to clinch there but Dragonov circles away.
Dragonov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Dragonov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dragonov stops a takedown attempt from Palahnuik.
Dragonov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palahnuik is defending well for now.
Dragonov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Palahnuik blocks it with crossed arms.
Dragonov can't find room to land a body shot as Palahnuik controls the action.
Dragonov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palahnuik.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Dragonov.

It looks like Pete Palahnuik has been cut.
Palahnuik misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dragonov.
Dragonov tries to land knees in the clinch but Palahnuik avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragonov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Dragonov keeps control of Palahnuik as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dragonov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Palahnuik's elbow.
Dragonov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Palahnuik's face.

Dragonov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dragonov tries to clinch but Palahnuik is having none of it.
Palahnuik lands a head shot.
Dragonov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Palahnuik uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dragonov.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Palahnuik swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Palahnuik swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragonov.
Palahnuik misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dragonov.
Palahnuik doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Dragonov has Palahnuik up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov has Palahnuik pressed against the cage, preventing Palahnuik from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Palahnuik has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Palahnuik misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Palahnuik makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A shot in the inside from Dragonov.
Dragonov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Palahnuik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dragonov landing knees to the head.
Dragonov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dragonov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Palahnuik has had enough of the clinch but Dragonov keeps him there for the moment.

Dragonov manages to break the clinch.
Palahnuik circles away from the clinch attempt.
Palahnuik chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dragonov can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Palahnuik swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Palahnuik throws a one two combo.
Palahnuik turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dragonov tries to clinch up.
Dragonov throws a series of strikes that have Palahnuik backpedaling.
Palahnuik throws a leg kick but Dragonov checks it.
Dragonov lands with a slapping head kick.
Palahnuik misses with a few strikes there.
Palahnuik motions for Dragonov to come forward. Palahnuik throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Palahnuik tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dragonov was well out of range. Poor timing from Palahnuik.
Dragonov thows a body shot but no joy.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Dragonov.
Dragonov misses with a body shot.
Palahnuik walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Palahnuik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov moves in looking to clinch but Palahnuik pushes him off.
Dragonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palahnuik throws out the jab.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Palahnuik swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Palahnuik throws a body punch but Dragonov moves out of range.
Palahnuik steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dragonov.
Palahnuik misses the shot to the body.
Marco Dragonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Palahnuik slips under a jab.
Pete Palahnuik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dragonov throws a jab but it's blocked by Palahnuik.
Dragonov tries to clinch there but Palahnuik circles away.
Palahnuik uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dragonov has time to react.
Dragonov doesn't manage to clinch there - Palahnuik circles away.
Dragonov tries to clinch up but Palahnuik circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dragonov lands a glancing blow to the side of Palahnuik's head.
Palahnuik throws a head kick but Dragonov moves out of range.
Palahnuik dodges the punch combination from Dragonov.
Palahnuik avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Dragonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dragonov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Dragonov!
Marco Dragonov thanked the fans post fight for their support.