PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Dragunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Storm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Storm is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Johnny Storm has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Dragunov
vs
Storm

185 cm
30
190 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

189 cm
36
198 lbs
31 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Conviction

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ilya Dragunov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Storm!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dragunov drives through with a takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Dragunov trying to control the position from guard on top but Storm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Storm trying to keep a closed guard but Dragunov is proving a slippery customer.

Dragunov drops back looking for a leg! Storm is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Storm manages to kick Dragunov off! Dragunov jumps back into Storm's guard.
Dragunov trying to control the position from guard on top but Storm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Storm can't keep his opponent in guard - Dragunov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragunov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Storm sees it coming and defends easily.
Storm is looking to get back to is feet but Dragunov passes into side control.
Storm is looking for a sweep.

Dragunov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Storm has escaped the position, nice work there.
Dragunov has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dragunov jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Storm is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Storm and Dragunov has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Dragunov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dragunov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Dragunov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Storm is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Dragunov trying to control the position but Storm is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dragunov is trying to get an arm triangle but Storm is defending well.
Storm tries to control but Dragunov manages to take his back.
Storm can't escape the position.
Storm is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Dragunov off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Dragunov looking to break Storm's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Storm remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Dragunov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dragunov looking for the choke but no joy.
Storm has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Storm is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dragunov lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Dragunov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Dragunov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dragunov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Dragunov is trying to get an arm triangle but Storm is defending well.
Storm is trying to control Dragunov's posture but Dragunov avoids it.
Ilya Dragunov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Dragunov swings around for an armbar but Storm sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Dragunov's guard.

Dragunov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Storm is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Dragunov.
Storm wants to stand but Dragunov is controlling his arm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm trying to control the action but Dragunov is working from the bottom.
Dragunov is trying to control Storm's posture but Storm avoids it.
Dragunov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Dragunov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Storm wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Dragunov looking for submissions off his back.
Dragunov is looking to improve his position.
Dragunov trying to hold on to Storm's head to control him but Storm postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm is keen to just control but Dragunov is a slippery customer.
Storm prevents Dragunov from improving his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Storm wants to clinch up but Dragunov keeps it at a distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Storm.
Dragunov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Dragunov scores with a takedown into Storm's guard.

Dragunov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Storm looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Storm looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Storm!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov tries to improve position but can't.
Dragunov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Storm's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Dragunov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Storm pulls his head out easily.

Dragunov actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Storm looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dragunov is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Dragunov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Storm looks for a takedown but Dragunov sprawls well.

Dragunov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Storm to the ground. Dragunov is now in Storm's guard.
Dragunov is pushing down on Storm's leg trying to pass to half guard. Storm is fighting to maintain full guard but Dragunov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Storm is trying to stand up here but Dragunov is controlling him well.

Storm is defending against the submission attempts here by Dragunov.
Dragunov trying to advance position but Storm counters by regaining guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov tries to free his leg and advance position but Storm is retaining full guard.

Dragunov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Dragunov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Dragunov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Storm is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Dragunov, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov looking to control.

Dragunov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Storm passes into half guard.
Dragunov wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dragunov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dragunov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dragunov 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.

Storm got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dragunov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Storm has managed to get both his arms back between Dragunov's legs - danger averted.

Dragunov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Storm defends well.
Storm stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dragunov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Dragunov is looking for a triangle but Storm pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov looking for a sweep. Not yet Dragunov, not yet.
Johnny Storm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Storm advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dragunov wants to improve his position but Storm is controlling well.
Dragunov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Storm.
Dragunov is looking to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dragunov gets back to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dragunov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Dragunov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dragunov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Dragunov!
Ilya Dragunov took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.