PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gokou San (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

San
vs
Drago

190 cm
20
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
18
261 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gokou San!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ivan Drago!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Drago enables San to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Drago manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
San could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
San is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago is trying to control the position from the bottom.
San throwing strikes but missing.

San avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
San is in close to Drago's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Drago trying to keep a closed guard but San is proving a slippery customer.
San working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San throwing strikes from guard but Drago blocks nicely.
Drago preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
San content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
San stays in close to Drago's body and controls the position.
San landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
San prevents Drago from getting back to his feet.

We're going to have a standup here because Gokou San wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Drago misses with a jab, cross combination.
Drago shoots in for a takedown but San shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fighters circling - San throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Drago misses with a series of wild punches.
Drago looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

San scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
A lull in the action here.
San landing strikes.
San slows the pace down.
San lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
San just content to control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
San creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Drago manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
San 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.
San controlling the position for now.
San tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
San desperately trying to maintain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

San shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
San is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
San seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Drago for as long as he can get away with.
San won't allow Drago to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San looking to pass the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gokou San wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Drago shoots in looking for a takedown. San tries to sprawl out of it but Drago keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. San manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

San is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Drago's half guard.
Drago is breathing heavily.
San perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Gokou San.
San tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drago was well out of range. Poor timing from San.
Drago shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and San counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
San distracts Drago with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
San's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gokou San overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
San is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
San works over Drago with some ground and pound from guard.
San controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
San lands a couple of digs.
San seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
San content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
San is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Drago can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells San's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
San works over Drago with some ground and pound from guard.
San is stalling in the full guard.
San lands a couple of digs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
San works over Drago with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gokou San dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Drago.
The fight stays on the outside here - Drago looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Drago misses with a takedown attempt

and San counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Drago!
San working the ground and pound effectively.
San in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
San lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
San connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
San working away from the top, dropping strikes.
San controlling from the full mount.
San scoring with strikes but Drago is staying in there.
Drago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, San cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Drago is rocked!
San drops a big elbow. That's hurt Drago! More shots from San and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gokou San!