PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pentti Hirvonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Dragonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Hirvonen
vs
Dragonov

185 cm
29
196 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

189 cm
25
195 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Gilop®
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pentti Hirvonen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marco Dragonov!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirvonen moves away from the strike by Dragonov.

Hirvonen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Dragonov's half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Hirvonen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hirvonen stops Dragonov from getting back to his feet.
Hirvonen trying to control the action but Dragonov is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dragonov's head.
Hirvonen prevents Dragonov from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dragonov is staying active underneath Hirvonen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hirvonen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hirvonen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragonov is in trouble now - Hirvonen has advanced to mount!
Dragonov working to try and regain half guard.
Hirvonen looking to finish with strikes here!
BOOM! Hirvonen connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Hirvonen swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Dragonov is now in Hirvonen's guard. A big mistake from Hirvonen there, giving up the dominant position!

Hirvonen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hirvonen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dragonov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hirvonen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hirvonen's back!
Dragonov wants to control but Hirvonen is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hirvonen is really stuck here.
Hirvonen trying to control the hands but Dragonov breaks the grip.
Dragonov is riding his opponent, not letting Hirvonen buck him off.
Hirvonen rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Hirvonen is looking to get back to full guard here but Dragonov has managed to pass to side control instead.
Hirvonen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hirvonen struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hirvonen is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Dragonov is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Hirvonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Dragonov wants to control the pace but Hirvonen is squirming around nicely.
Dragonov prevents Hirvonen from getting the reversal.
Dragonov controlling from the full mount.
Hirvonen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hirvonen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Dragonov is trying to control the position but Hirvonen postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dragonov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dragonov is looking to stand up but Hirvonen isn't so interested in that idea.
Hirvonen won't allow Dragonov to sweep him here.
Hirvonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hirvonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Dragonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dragonov is looking to stand up but Hirvonen isn't so interested in that idea.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hirvonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Hirvonen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A big right from Hirvonen misses.

Hirvonen closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Dragonov's guard.
Hirvonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dragonov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hirvonen looking to sit in guard and control but Dragonov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Dragonov preventing the sweep.

Hirvonen has his foot on Dragonov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dragonov works his way back into a safe position though.
Hirvonen looking for a sweep. Not yet Hirvonen, not yet.
Hirvonen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hirvonen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Dragonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hirvonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hirvonen 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.
Hirvonen looking for a sweep. Not yet Hirvonen, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragonov postures up.
Dragonov trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.
Dragonov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Marco Dragonov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hirvonen scores with a jab to the body.

Dragonov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hirvonen, pushing him back against the cage.
Hirvonen can't get the takedown.
Hirvonen is trying to pull guard but Dragonov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hirvonen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hirvonen tries to pull guard but Dragonov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pentti Hirvonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dragonov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short right from Dragonov.
Hirvonen fails to pull guard.

Dragonov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hirvonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hirvonen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dragonov can pounce on him.
A jab from Hirvonen misses.
Dragonov tries to clinch but Hirvonen is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hirvonen manages to avoid it.
Dragonov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dragonov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hirvonen.
Marco Dragonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dragonov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hirvonen doesn't seem bothered though.
Dragonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hirvonen.

Dragonov closes the distance and pushes Hirvonen back into the cage.
Hirvonen tries to pull guard but Dragonov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Dragonov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hirvonen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Dragonov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hirvonen backwards.
Hirvonen is trying to pull guard but Dragonov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hirvonen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Dragonov after a bit of a struggle.

Hirvonen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hirvonen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Dragonov postures up.
Dragonov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Dragonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hirvonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dragonov gets to his feet. Hirvonen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Dragonov closes the distance and clinches.
Hirvonen managing to block the knees to the body from Dragonov.
Dragonov lands a shot to the body.
Hirvonen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hirvonen is trying to pull guard but Dragonov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dragonov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hirvonen fails to pull guard.
Dragonov trying to stall but Hirvonen improves his position.
Dragonov gets through Hirvonen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hirvonen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dragonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dragonov misses with a knee strike.
Hirvonen is trying to pull guard but Dragonov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dragonov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hirvonen pulls Dragonov into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dragonov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hirvonen is proving hard to escape from.
Dragonov trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.

Dragonov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dragonov trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dragonov stopping the sweep attempt from Hirvonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Marco Dragonov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hirvonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Dragonov wants to clinch up but Hirvonen keeps it at a distance.
Hirvonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dragonov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hirvonen.
Marco Dragonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hirvonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Dragonov sprawls well. He's pushed Hirvonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hirvonen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dragonov tries to avoid it but Hirvonen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dragonov to the ground. Dragonov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dragonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hirvonen.
Dragonov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Dragonov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragonov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hirvonen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dragonov.
A punch combination from Dragonov misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hirvonen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pentti Hirvonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hirvonen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dragonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hirvonen somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dragonov.
Dragonov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dragonov dodges the punch combination from Hirvonen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hirvonen. Dragonov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dragonov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hirvonen.
Dragonov misses with a double jab.
Dragonov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hirvonen throws a leg kick but Dragonov checks it.
Hirvonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Dragonov avoids the body shot from Hirvonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen fails to land with a series of punches.
Hirvonen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Dragonov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hirvonen scrambles back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Dragonov enables Hirvonen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Dragonov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Dragonov wants to sweep but no luck.
Hirvonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hirvonen wants to pass the guard but Dragonov is keeping the position.
Dragonov wants to stand and escape but Hirvonen is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pentti Hirvonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hirvonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dragonov is keeping the position for now.
Dragonov wants to sweep here but Hirvonen controlling him for the moment.
Hirvonen scoring with some ground and pound.
Hirvonen content to stall in guard here.
Dragonov keeping moving, preventing Hirvonen from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Hirvonen looking to pass the guard.
Dragonov trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hirvonen scores with a hook to the body. Dragonov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Marco Dragonov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hirvonen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Dragonov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hirvonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dragonov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dragonov pulls Hirvonen in close to prevent any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hirvonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Dragonov is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Hirvonen clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dragonov scores with a sloppy right hand. Hirvonen should have avoided that one.
Hirvonen throws a leg kick that misses.
Hirvonen throws a leg kick that misses.
Hirvonen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dragonov swivels and escapes.
Dragonov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dragonov ducks under a wild hook from Hirvonen.
Dragonov missing with a left hand there. Hirvonen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hirvonen throws a chopping leg kick but Dragonov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dragonov tries to clinch up.
Hirvonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dragonov.
Dragonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Hirvonen throws a lazy right hand but Dragonov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hirvonen misses with a right hand
and Dragonov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragonov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hirvonen finds it's way round the side to connect with Dragonov's head.
Hirvonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragonov.
Hirvonen throws a head kick that misses.
Dragonov throws a jab when Hirvonen was well out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen throws a body punch but Dragonov moves out of range.
Dragonov throws a lazy right hand but Hirvonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hirvonen misses with an uppercut. Dragonov saw that one coming.

Dragonov moves into the clinch.
Hirvonen jumps guard but Dragonov stands there with Hirvonen around his waist. Hirvonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pentti Hirvonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hirvonen is trying to pull guard but Dragonov has him pressed against the cage.
Hirvonen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Dragonov lands an elbow that stopped Hirvonen in his tracks for a moment.
Dragonov lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Pentti Hirvonen has been cut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hirvonen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hirvonen is trying to pull guard but Dragonov has him pressed against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hirvonen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dragonov walks away with a smile on his face. Hirvonen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Dragonov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dragonov avoids the body shot from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dragonov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hirvonen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dragonov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hirvonen. Dragonov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hirvonen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hirvonen misses the jab.
Dragonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hirvonen.
Hirvonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Dragonov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dragonov thows a body shot but no joy.
Dragonov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hirvonen's head.
Decent striking displayed by Dragonov there.
Hirvonen fails with a takedown attempt.
Marco Dragonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dragonov misses with a wild body shot.
Dragonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hirvonen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Hirvonen.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragonov moves to clinch but Hirvonen breaks away
and Hirvonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Good work by Dragonov as he checks the leg kick.
Dragonov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hirvonen keeps the fight on the outside.

Dragonov instigates a clinch.

Hirvonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hirvonen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dragonov as he jumps to the side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dragonov lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Dragonov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
That's time! Hirvonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hirvonen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dragonov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hirvonen circles away.
Hirvonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A punch combination from Dragonov misses.
Hirvonen shoots in and drives through. Dragonov sprawls well.
Hirvonen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dragonov.
Dragonov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dragonov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dragonov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dragonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dragonov scores with the left hand. Hirvonen knows he should have avoided that one.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dragonov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hirvonen throws a body punch but Dragonov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen throws a body punch but Dragonov moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Dragonov misses the target.
Dragonov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Dragonov, as that shot connected.
Dragonov checks a leg kick.
Dragonov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Hirvonen drives through with a takedown into Dragonov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hirvonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dragonov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hirvonen's guard.
Hirvonen wants to sweep here but Dragonov controlling him for the moment.
Hirvonen has a closed guard, preventing Dragonov from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hirvonen throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Dragonov escapes and throws Hirvonen's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Hirvonen is trying to get back to half guard.
Dragonov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hirvonen's legs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
You can see the frustration on Hirvonen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hirvonen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hirvonen manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen wants to get back to full guard.
Dragonov trying to control the action but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen tries to get to full guard but Dragonov has control of the leg.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Dragonov passes into side control, despite Hirvonen's attempt to control the position.
Hirvonen regains half guard.

Dragonov decides to stand and escape the position.
A big left from Hirvonen misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov connects with an inside leg kick.
Hirvonen has a takedown stuffed.
Hirvonen throws out a loose jab but Dragonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dragonov is looking to clinch.
Dragonov misses with a looping left.
Hirvonen throws a leg kick but Dragonov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hirvonen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hirvonen lands with a good body shot.
Hirvonen looks to land a body kick but Dragonov moved away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Dragonov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hirvonen tries to pull guard but Dragonov won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pentti Hirvonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hirvonen jumps guard but Dragonov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marco Dragonov.
I think Dragonov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Marco Dragonov!
Marco Dragonov is the new middleweight champion!
After winning the bout, Marco Dragonov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.