PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Drake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scary Buka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Drake might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Nate's Theme. Buka has chosen Dolina Muminkow as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Drake
vs
Buka

178 cm
20
193 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
190 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Zombie Nutrition - LOD

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nathan Drake!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Scary Buka!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Buka throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Drake was covering up waiting for the punch and Buka finishes the takedown easily into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Drake avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drake wants to stand up but Buka is controlling him.
Buka postures up and lands a big shot to Drake's brow.
Drake 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.
Buka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Buka throws a big elbow that misses.
Drake working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Buka.
Buka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Buka scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Drake trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buka trying to control but Drake is working from the bottom.
Drake avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Buka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Buka scoring with punches to the head and body.
Drake on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Drake tries to get out of the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Buka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Buka throws an elbow that misses. Drake uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Buka's guard. Nice move by Drake!
Drake stops Buka from standing up.
Drake trying to control the position from guard on top but Buka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Buka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Drake manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buka showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Buka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Buka is looking to pass into half guard but Drake pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Drake is in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Drake gets to his feet - Buka follows without any prompting.
Buka shoots in and drives through. Drake sprawls well.
Drake tries to clinch up but Buka circles away and keeps his distance.

Buka shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Drake manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Buka is looking to work some ground and pound but Drake has wrist control.
Buka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Buka throws a strike but Drake rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake tries to stand but Buka is controlling from the bottom.
Buka 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.
Drake trying to control but Buka is working from the bottom.
Drake prevents Buka from getting back to his feet.
Buka is controlling Drake's posture.

Nathan Drake has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Buka misses with a takedown attempt - Drake sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drake sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Buka somewhat.
Nathan Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scary Buka.
Buka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Drake's waist but Drake gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Buka off to one side.
Drake tries to score with a low kick but Buka moves his leg out of the way.
Scary Buka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Drake throws the left hand but Buka avoids the punch easily.
Buka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drake throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Buka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Buka has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Drake is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Buka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Drake but Drake pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Buka misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Buka.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Drake.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scary Buka dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Buka walks into a stiff left hand from Drake.
Drake lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Buka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Drake swivels and escapes.
Drake ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Buka moves away.
Drake throws a series of punches but Buka avoids them all with ease.

Buka manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Drake on his heels. He'll look to pass Drake's guard now, I'm sure.
Buka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Buka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Buka throws a strike but Drake rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Buka is pulling down on Drake's head to control his posture.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Drake won't allow Buka to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Buka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Drake won't allow Buka to get back to his feet.
Drake wants to get up but he can't break Buka's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

We're going to have a standup here because Nathan Drake wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Buka manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Drake on his heels. He'll look to pass Drake's guard now, I'm sure.
Drake looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Buka puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Buka working the head and body with strikes.
Drake is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at LOD: Novae, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Buka looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Drake is looking for a sweep. Buka is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Buka throwing shots but Drake is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buka is just content to waste time from the top position. Drake takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Buka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Drake preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Buka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Buka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Scary Buka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Buka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Drake works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Buka throwing strikes from guard but Drake blocks nicely.
Buka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Buka trying to control the position from guard on top but Drake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buka is pushing down on Drake's leg trying to pass to half guard. Drake is fighting to maintain full guard but Buka has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake is trying to stand.
Drake avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Buka.
Drake regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Buka.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Buka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Buka sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Drake's guard.
Buka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Buka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ground and pound from Buka.
Buka misses with a head shot. Drake uses the momentum to regain guard.
Buka with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Buka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Drake is keeping the position for now.
Buka is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Drake utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Buka stands and throws Drake's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Drake regains half guard, as Buka was trying to land strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ground and pound from Buka.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scary Buka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Drake misses with a looping right.
A punch lands to the side of Buka 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Drake defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Buka.
Buka shoots in but no luck this time.
Drake tries to clinch but Buka moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Drake darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Drake wants to clinch up but Buka keeps it at a distance.
Buka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Drake sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nathan Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scary Buka.
Drake moves in looking to clinch but Buka pushes him off.
Buka shoots in but Drake avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Drake throws a hook but Buka avoids it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Buka shoots in and bounces Drake off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Drake working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Buka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Buka's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Drake working a defensive guard but Buka passes into half guard.
Drake avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Buka.
Buka is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Drake is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Buka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Buka thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Drake's head.
Buka is stalling here. Drake is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Buka seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Drake has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
A bit of a lull in the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake working away.
Buka is trying to get back to half guard.
Buka struggling a bit here.
Buka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Drake wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Buka wants to control but Drake postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Buka gets back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Buka wants to get back to full guard.
Buka is looking to control Drake's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Buka avoid being mounted?
Buka wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Scary Buka was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Buka looks for a takedown but Drake sprawls well.

Buka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Buka lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Buka postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Buka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Buka throwing strikes from guard but Drake blocks nicely.
Buka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Buka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Buka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Drake is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buka throwing strikes but missing.
Buka trying to control the position from guard on top but Drake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Buka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Buka wants to control from the top but Drake keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Buka distracts Drake with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Buka works over Drake with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scary Buka really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Buka shoots in looking for a takedown but Drake manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Buka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nathan Drake is winning the standup battle so far.
Horrible takedown by Buka or perhaps it was just good defense by Drake which made him look bad.
Buka looks for a takedown but Drake sprawls well.
Nathan Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scary Buka.
Drake stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Drake wants it to stay on the feet.
Buka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Drake defends it nicely.
Buka swats away the attempt to clinch by Drake.
Buka misses with a takedown attempt
and Drake counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Buka darts in looking for a takedown but Drake gets double underhooks and turns Buka into the cage.
Drake lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Drake stops a takedown attempt from Buka.
Buka goes for a takedown attempt but Drake pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Buka is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Buka slips a jab from Drake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buka fails to land the takedown.
Buka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Drake scores with a jab. Buka acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Buka has a takedown stuffed.
Buka shoots in for a takedown but Drake shows good takedown defense.
Buka shoots in looking for a takedown but Drake manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Buka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Buka shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Drake as he jumps to the side.
Drake dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Drake gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake lands with a right to the head.
Drake stops a takedown attempt from Buka.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Drake tries a body shot but Buka blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Drake scores with a nice short uppercut.
Drake is pressed up against the cage. Buka has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Drake down to the mat. Drake avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Drake misses with a two punch combination.
Drake is looking to clinch but Buka is avoiding it.
Drake tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drake swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Drake moves in looking to clinch but Buka pushes him off.
Drake changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Good work by Buka as he checks the leg kick.

Buka shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Drake manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Buka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Drake looking to control.
Buka trying to control but Drake is working from the bottom.
Drake is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Drake keeping moving, preventing Buka from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Buka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drake sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Buka somewhat.

Buka shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Buka showed some decent athleticism there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Buka with the ground and pound but Drake uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Drake working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Buka.
Buka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Buka is working Drake over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Buka trying to control but Drake is working from the bottom.
Buka pushing down on Drake's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Nathan Drake will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Drake tries to clinch but Buka moves out of range.
Buka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Drake but Drake pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Drake tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Buka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Buka is defended easily by Drake.
Buka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Drake pinned against the cage. Drake gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nathan Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scary Buka.
Buka shoots in for a double leg but Drake sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A left lands for Drake.
Buka fails with a takedown attempt.
Drake slaps away a takedown attempt from Buka, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake tries to close the distance and clinch up but Buka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Buka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Drake is fending him off so far but Buka persists. Nope, Drake circles away and we're back to standing.
Drake will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Drake fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Buka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Buka is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Good standup being displayed there by Drake as he connects with a hook.
Drake slaps away a takedown attempt from Buka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Buka closes the distance and clinches up with Drake, looking for a takedown. Buka pushes Drake against the cage but Drake circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Buka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Drake is fending him off so far but Buka persists. Nope, Drake circles away and we're back to standing.
Buka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Drake but Drake pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Drake tries to land a leg kick but Buka saw it coming and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake misses with an uppercut. Buka saw that one coming.
Drake lands with a hook. Buka tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Buka is rocked!
Drake tries to clinch up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Buka shoots for a double leg takedown but Drake sprawls well. He's pushed Buka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Drake has Buka up against the cage in a clinch.
Buka is working for takedown but Drake is calmly controlling the position for now.
The referee calls for Drake to work.
Drake swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Buka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Buka tries for a takedown but Drake manages to get underhooks.
Buka drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Drake gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Drake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake looking to stall.
Drake slowing the pace effectively.
Nathan Drake has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Buka drops down looking for an ankle pick but Drake pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nathan Drake is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Drake tries to close the distance and clinch but Buka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Drake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Buka manages to avoid it.

Drake has taken the fight to the clinch.
Buka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Drake fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Drake stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Drake wants it to stay on the feet.
Drake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Drake swivels and escapes.
Buka misses with a takedown
and Drake counters with a nice uppercut.
Buka is still on wobbly legs! Can Drake finish him?
and Drake counters with a massive uppercut that badly hurts Buka! He's just covering up as Drake starts to tee off till the referee steps in and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nathan Drake!
Nathan Drake retains his middleweight title!
Nathan Drake gave a mention to Zombie Nutrition - LOD in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).