PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nepumuk Drachenstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jhar Slice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Drachenstein
vs
Slice

188 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
184 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Likes musicals

Polar Bear

Knox Energy
BeastMode

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nepumuk Drachenstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jhar Slice!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Drachenstein moves into the clinch.
Slice effectively controlling the action here.
Drachenstein lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Drachenstein tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Slice tries to work over Drachenstein's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Drachenstein misses with a knee strike.
Drachenstein misses with the head strike.
A frustrated look appears on Slice's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Drachenstein definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Slice is working for takedown but Drachenstein is calmly controlling the position for now.
Slice looking to stall.
Drachenstein looking to slow down the pace here.
Drachenstein has a couple of punches blocked by Slice.
Slice taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Drachenstein gets through Slice's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Drachenstein creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slice misses with a body punch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Slice.
Slice is working for takedown but Drachenstein is calmly controlling the position for now.
Drachenstein gets underhooks to prevent Slice's takedown attempt.
Nepumuk Drachenstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jhar Slice.
Drachenstein is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Slice pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Slice's coach down at Fitness Pit was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Slice's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A short uppercut from Drachenstein.
Slice jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Drachenstein walks away with a smile on his face. Slice gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Slice takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Drachenstein fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Slice, pushing him back against the ropes.
Slice tries to circle away but Drachenstein has him pinned against the ropes.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Slice goes for a takedown in the clinch but Drachenstein prevents it.
Drachenstein works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Slice tries to break the clinch but Drachenstein is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slice prevents Drachenstein from breaking the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Drachenstein just misses with a elbow thrown towards Slice's brow.
Slice blocks the elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Drachenstein as Slice tries to tie him up.

Slice manages to break the clinch.
Drachenstein dives in and grabs Slice's left leg, looking for a takedown. Slice pushes down on Drachenstein's head and hops out.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Drachenstein!
Slice throws a head kick that misses
and Drachenstein cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Drachenstein cracks Slice with an open hand slap.

Slice forces Drachenstein back against the ropes and clinches.
Drachenstein trying to land knees to the body.
Slice tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Drachenstein just misses with a elbow thrown towards Slice's brow.
Drachenstein misses with the head strike.
Drachenstein jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Slice walks away with a smile on his face. Drachenstein gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slice pushes Drachenstein up against the ropes in a clinch.
Slice is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Drachenstein throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Drachenstein looking to throw knees to the head but Slice is blocking nicely.
Slice has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Drachenstein goes for a takedown attempt but Slice pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Slice moves into the clinch.
Slice takes a knee right on the jaw!
Slice manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Drachenstein is trying to drag Slice to the mat but Slice just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drachenstein can't get the takedown.

Slice manages to break the clinch.
Slice circles away from the clinch attempt.
Slice shoots in for a double leg but Drachenstein sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drachenstein tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Slice manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Slice clinches up against the ropes.
Slice takes a knee right on the jaw!
Slice misses with a hook to the ribs.

Slice breaks the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Slice moves into the clinch.
Drachenstein has Slice pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Slice manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Slice tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Drachenstein just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Drachenstein keeps control of Slice as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nepumuk Drachenstein dominated that round.
That's time! Drachenstein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Drachenstein gets tackled into the ropes by Slice. Slice maintains the clinch.
Drachenstein is looking for a takedown.
Drachenstein wants a takedown but no success here.
Drachenstein swings wildly with an uppercut but Slice uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drachenstein looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nepumuk Drachenstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slice has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Drachenstein after a bit of a struggle.
Slice has had enough of the clinch but Drachenstein keeps him there for the moment.
Slice is pressed up against the ropes. Drachenstein has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slice down to the mat. Slice avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Drachenstein fails with a takedown attempt.
Slice thuds his shin into the meat of Drachenstein's side.
Drachenstein stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Drachenstein wants it to stay on the feet.

Slice drives through and clinches with Drachenstein against the ropes.
Slice is trying to break the clinch but Drachenstein is controlling him.
Slice tries to break free but Drachenstein pushes him back against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slice tries to break free but Drachenstein pushes him back against the ropes.
Drachenstein is pressed up against the ropes. Slice has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Drachenstein down to the mat. Drachenstein avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Slice moves into the clinch.
Drachenstein pushes off an throws an elbow but Slice leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Drachenstein jumps guard but Slice stands there with Drachenstein around his waist. Drachenstein gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Drachenstein blocks a body shot from Slice.
Drachenstein is looking to take this one to the mat.
Slice tries to work over Drachenstein's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Drachenstein as Slice tries to tie him up.

Slice breaks the clinch.

Drachenstein forces Slice back against the ropes and clinches.
Drachenstein with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slice jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Drachenstein walks away with a smile on his face. Slice gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Drachenstein leaves Slice with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Slice clinches.
Slice tries to pull guard but Drachenstein holds him up against the ropes and eventually Slice drops back down to his feet.
Slice is looking to control Drachenstein's arms but Drachenstein gets an underhook and turns him. Now Slice has his back to the ropes.

Drachenstein pulls guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Slice stopping the sweep attempt from Drachenstein.
Drachenstein keeping moving, preventing Slice from controlling successfully.
Drachenstein controlling Slice's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slice drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Drachenstein dives on top into guard.
Slice is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Drachenstein dives into side control.
Drachenstein scores with punches from side control.
Slice is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slice takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Drachenstein landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Drachenstein misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Drachenstein lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Drachenstein lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Drachenstein working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
You can see the frustration on Slice's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slice is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Drachenstein is controlling him well.
Drachenstein wants to lay and pray for a moment but Slice keeps working.
Drachenstein connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Slice some visible discomfort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nepumuk Drachenstein will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Drachenstein thumps Slice with a low kick.
Slice takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Drachenstein wants to clinch up but Slice keeps it at a distance.
Drachenstein is looking to clinch but Slice is avoiding it.

Slice fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Drachenstein, pushing him back against the ropes.
Jhar Slice seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Drachenstein tries for a takedown but Slice manages to get underhooks.
Slice is trying to pull guard but Drachenstein has him pressed against the ropes.
Drachenstein is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Slice pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Slice wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Drachenstein has him pressed against the ropes.
Drachenstein drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Slice gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nepumuk Drachenstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Slice pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Drachenstein as Slice shoots in.
Nice uppercut there from Drachenstein.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slice misses with a few strikes there.
Slice goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nepumuk Drachenstein is winning the standup battle so far.
Drachenstein stuffs the takedown.
Slice takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Drachenstein fails with an attempt to clinch.
Slice swats away the attempt to clinch by Drachenstein.
Slice misses with a jab to the body
and Drachenstein counters with a nice leg kick.
Drachenstein scores with a three punch combo!
Slice misses with a takedown attempt - Drachenstein sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Drachenstein tries to clinch up.

Drachenstein gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Drachenstein - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Drachenstein wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drachenstein prevents the takedown attempt.
Drachenstein softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Drachenstein is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Drachenstein tries to land a knee to the head but Slice blocks with his arms.
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!
Drachenstein lands an elbow inside.
Drachenstein blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Drachenstein lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Drachenstein breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Drachenstein breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drachenstein lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Drachenstein misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slice pushes Drachenstein up against the ropes in a clinch.
Drachenstein throws a head punch that misses.
Slice blocks a body shot from Drachenstein.
Slice misses with a body punch.
Drachenstein doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Slice tries to throw a body punch but Drachenstein avoids it by throwing Slice back against the ropes.
Drachenstein throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slice blocks it with crossed arms.
Drachenstein blocks an uppercut.
A short left from Drachenstein.
Drachenstein has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Slice is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Drachenstein.
Drachenstein's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Slice jumps guard but Drachenstein turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drachenstein tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Slice just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Drachenstein takes a knee right on the jaw!
Drachenstein tries to stall but Slice uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Slice throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Slice tries to work over Drachenstein's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Drachenstein throws a punch but it's blocked by Slice.
Slice blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Slice trying to stall but Drachenstein improves his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slice using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drachenstein has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drachenstein working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Jhar Slice has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nepumuk Drachenstein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Drachenstein blocks an elbow strike from Slice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nepumuk Drachenstein showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Drachenstein, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nepumuk Drachenstein!
An out of breath Nepumuk Drachenstein thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Jhar Slice spoke after the fight, saying 'I'll be back!'.