PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dion Simon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Dracul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dracul is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Infected Mushroom - Dracul. Vlad Dracul will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Simon
vs
Dracul

154 cm
19
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dion Simon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Dracul!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dracul clinches.
Simon tries to pull guard but Dracul forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Dracul wants to get back to striking at distance but Simon won't allow it.
Simon fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dracul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dracul being controlled against the cage.

Simon jumps guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Simon has his hands on Dracul's head, controlling the position.
Dracul wants to get up but he can't break Simon's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Simon managing to control the position.
Simon bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Dracul's guard.
Simon stops Dracul from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dion Simon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dracul wants to get back to striking at distance but Simon won't allow it.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch but Simon keeps him there for the moment.
Dracul wants to get back to striking at distance but Simon won't allow it.

Simon jumps guard.
Simon has a closed guard, preventing Dracul from standing up.
Simon pulls Dracul in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simon has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dracul wants to break the clinch but can't.

Simon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Simon really is a fat lump.

Dracul closes the distance and pushes Simon back into the cage.

Simon jumps into guard, dragging Dracul to the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dracul would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Simon is pulling down on Dracul's head to control his posture.
Dracul is looking to stand up but Simon won't let him.
Simon is pulling down on Dracul's head. It's preventing any offense from Dracul, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dracul misses with a straight left.

Simon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dracul wants to stand but Simon is controlling the position.
Dracul looks winded!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Simon showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Dion Simon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Dracul has closed the distance and engaged Simon in a clinch.
Simon jumps guard but Dracul stands there with Simon around his waist. Simon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dion Simon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simon has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dracul avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dracul tries to break free but Simon pushes him back against the cage.

Simon breaks from the clinch.
Dracul throws a body shot but no joy.
Vlad Dracul is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dracul misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dion Simon will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dracul has managed to clinch.

Simon breaks from the clinch.

Dracul clinches.

Simon breaks the clinch.

Dracul pushes Simon up against the cage in a clinch.
Dracul is trying to break the clinch but Simon has him pressed against the cage.
Dracul tries to break the clinch but Simon is controlling the position.

Simon decides to pull guard.
Simon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Simon looks to land a strike but Dracul avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Dracul wants to get back to his feet but Simon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Simon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Dracul, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dracul gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dracul prevents the takedown attempt.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch but Simon keeps him there for the moment.

Simon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dracul throws a body punch but Simon moves out of range.

Dracul moves into the clinch.
Simon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dracul fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Dracul moves into the clinch successfully.
Simon tries to score a body lock takedown but Dracul shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dion Simon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simon tries to pull guard but Dracul holds him up against the cage and eventually Simon drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon jumps guard but Dracul stands there with Simon around his waist. Simon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch but Simon keeps him there for the moment.

Simon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dracul instigates a clinch.
Dracul can't break the clinch.

Simon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dracul clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dracul tries to break free but Simon pushes him back against the cage.
Dracul is trying to push Simon away but Simon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dracul is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Dracul wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simon has him pressed against the cage.

Simon manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Simon controls Dracul momentarily but Dracul frees himself.
Simon seems keen to control Dracul's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul tries to stand but Simon is controlling from the bottom.
Dracul being controlled here momentarily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Dracul trying to stand up but can't free himself from Simon's guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Dracul has Simon up against the cage in a clinch.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Simon jumps guard but Dracul turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Dracul wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Simon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Dracul clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon tries to pull guard but Dracul won't allow it.
Simon is trying to pull guard but Dracul has him pressed against the cage.
Dracul can't break the clinch.
Dracul wants to get back to striking at distance but Simon won't allow it.
Dracul is trying to push Simon away but Simon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Simon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dracul fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Dracul gets a clinch.
Vlad Dracul seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Simon has Dracul pressed against the cage, preventing Dracul from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Simon tries for a takedown. No joy.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dracul wants to get back to striking at distance but Simon won't allow it.
Dracul tries to circle away but Simon has him pinned against the cage.
Simon jumps guard but Dracul stands there with Simon around his waist. Simon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Simon keeps control of Dracul 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.

Vlad Dracul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Simon gets tackled into the cage by Dracul. Dracul maintains the clinch.
Simon tries to pull guard but Dracul won't allow it.
Dracul is looking to break free of the clinch but Simon has double underhooks.
Simon jumps guard but Dracul stands there with Simon around his waist. Simon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Dracul's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Simon tries to pull guard but Dracul won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dion Simon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dracul tries to circle away but Simon has him pinned against the cage.
Dracul is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dracul is trying to break free.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dracul is trying to break the clinch but Simon is controlling him.
Dracul working hard to break the clinch.
Dracul can't break the clinch.

Simon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Dracul closes the distance and clinches.

Simon breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simon tries to keep at a distance but Dracul has taken the fight into the clinch.
Simon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dracul fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Dracul clinches with his opponent.

Simon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Simon has a takedown stuffed.

Dracul clinches up against the cage.
Dracul is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dracul stops a takedown attempt from Simon.
Simon tries to pull guard but Dracul holds him up against the cage and eventually Simon drops back down to his feet.
Dracul tries to circle away but Simon has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dracul working hard to break the clinch.
Dracul tries to circle away but Simon has him pinned against the cage.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch but Simon keeps him there for the moment.
Come on Simon - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Dracul looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Simon tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dracul wants to break free but Simon has control.
Simon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dracul wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simon has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simon fails to pull guard.
Dracul is looking to break free of the clinch but Simon has double underhooks.
Dracul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dracul is trying to force a seperation but Simon has the dominant position.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch but Simon keeps him there for the moment.
Dracul wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dracul wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simon has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dracul is trying to push Simon away but Simon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dracul looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Simon slowing the pace effectively.
Simon prevents Dracul from breaking the clinch.
Dracul working hard to break the clinch.
Simon keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dracul's efforts to push away.

Simon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Dracul forces Simon back against the cage and clinches.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch but Simon keeps him there for the moment.
Simon keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dracul's efforts to push away.
Simon tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dracul smiles and moves away.
Dracul misses with a hook
and Simon counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dracul as he avoids it easily.

Simon tries to keep at a distance but Dracul has taken the fight into the clinch.
Dracul wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simon has him pressed against the cage.
Simon is trying to pull guard but Dracul has him pressed against the cage.
Dracul has Simon pressed against the cage, preventing Simon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dracul wants to break free but Simon has control.
Dracul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dracul is trying to break the clinch but Simon is controlling him.
Simon prevents Dracul from breaking the clinch.
Dracul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simon jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dracul walks away with a smile on his face. Simon gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Dracul takes the fight into the clinch.
Dracul wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Dracul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dracul 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Dracul!