PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Donny Bragg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dre Still (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bragg comes to the cage accompanied by Detroit's Ghetto by FloFloSounds. Still has chosen Dr. Dre - Still D.R.E. as his entrance music. Dre Still told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Bragg
vs
Still

179 cm
26
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
183 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Donny Bragg!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dre Still!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Russell Pearce and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bragg scores with a takedown into Still's guard.
Still keeping moving, preventing Bragg from controlling successfully.
Bragg with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Still looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bragg is one step ahead there.
Bragg knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Still on the ground.
Still working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bragg.
Still looking for a sweep. Not yet Still, not yet.
Bragg stands and throws Still's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Still tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bragg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bragg is looking to take a break and control but Still is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bragg misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bragg wants to control but Still is keeping him busy.
Still is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Bragg is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Still knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Still parries the strikes from Bragg easily there. Bragg is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Still to escape.
Still tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bragg has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Bragg is trying to get an arm triangle but Still is defending well.
Still regains half guard.
Still is trying to maintain the position but Bragg is very close to passing his half guard.
Still manages to get to full guard.

Still looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Still lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bragg pushes Still off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bragg is defended easily by Still.
Bragg fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bragg throws a lazy uppercut

and Still counters with a shoot takedown. Bragg fights it but they end up in guard.
Still trying to control but Bragg is working from the bottom.
Bragg wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still slips nicely into half guard.
Still missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bragg is staying active underneath Still, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Still is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Still thows a huge punch but Bragg dodges it nicely.
Still not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bragg is trying to maintain the position but Still is very close to passing his half guard.
Still is just content to waste time from the top position. Bragg takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dre Still will probably get the nod.
That's time! Bragg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Still takes a swing at Bragg's ribcage but misses.
Still misses the shot to the body.
Bragg swings for the body but Still moves out of range.
Bragg moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Bragg misses the target.
Bragg misses the body punch

and Still counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bragg!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Still tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Still has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bragg sneaks back into half guard.
Still trying to control from Bragg's half guard. Bragg has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Still looking to sit in guard and control but Bragg gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bragg trying to control the position from guard on top but Still is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Still is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bragg defends well.

Still escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bragg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Still working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bragg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Still has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Bragg 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 Still.
Still is looking for a sweep.
Still on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Still tries to buck Bragg off but Bragg is having none of it.
Bragg is looking to take a break and control but Still is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Still trying to remain calm as Bragg controls from the top position.
Still is trying to control Bragg's posture but Bragg avoids it.
Still gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still wants to improve his position but Bragg is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Still manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Still keeping full guard, as Bragg tries to pass.
Still lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Still is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Bragg looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Still won't allow Bragg to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bragg keeping moving, preventing Still from controlling successfully.
Still postures up.
Still is pushing down on Bragg's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bragg is fighting to maintain full guard but Still has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bragg wants to improve his position but Still is controlling well.
Still wants to pass to mount but Bragg is defending the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dre Still showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bragg takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bragg fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Bragg misses.
Bragg misses with a shot to the body

and Still counters with a shoot takedown. Bragg fights it but they end up in guard.
My spies in Wake and Bake inform me that Still has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Still tries to free his leg and advance position but Bragg is retaining full guard.
Bragg wants to sweep but no luck.
Bragg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Still advances position into side control!
Still trying to control the action but Bragg is working from the bottom.
Still has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bragg is looking for a sweep.
Still tries to move to mount but Bragg blocks the move with his legs.
Still tries to score with some ground and pound. Bragg controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Still looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Still throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Still wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bragg, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bragg manages to work his way to half guard, despite Still's best efforts.
Bragg is looking to improve his position.

Still is trying to work for a kimura but Bragg is defending well.
Bragg is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dre Still has got the better of the ground game so far.

Still wants to work for an arm triangle but Bragg is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Still moves nicely into side control.
Bragg wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Bragg dodges the ground and pound from Still.
Still wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bragg keeps working.
Still working away.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bragg wants to control from the top but Still keeps moving.
Bragg throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Still works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Still working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bragg doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bragg manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Still looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Still working a defensive guard but Bragg passes into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Still trying to control from the bottom.
Bragg prevents Still from improving his position.
Bragg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Still keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dre Still really 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.

A looping hook to the body misses from Bragg. Still does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bragg throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from Still. No joy for Bragg on that attempt.
Bragg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bragg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Still connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bragg. Bragg circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bragg misses with a hook. Still ducked under it nicely.
Bragg wants to clinch.
Bragg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bragg shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Still defends it nicely.
Bragg misses with a body shot.
Still paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bragg missing with a left hand there. Still was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bragg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Still.
Bragg takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bragg bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bragg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Still paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Still slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Still connects with a single shot there.
Still throws a hook to the side of Bragg's head but Bragg sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bragg misses with a takedown attempt - Still sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Donny Bragg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Still keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bragg.
Bragg fails with the takedown

and Still counters with a shoot takedown. Bragg fights it but they end up in guard.
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!
Still postures up.

Bragg is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bragg's guard.

Still is trying to work for a kimura but Bragg is defending well.

Still seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Bragg has recovered full guard.
Still wants to control from the top but Bragg keeps moving.
Still slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bragg is trying to stand.
Still trying to control the action but Bragg is working from the bottom.

Still seems to be working for a kimura but Bragg defends the submission attempt.

Still looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bragg wants to control but Still is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dre Still dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bragg tries to clinch up but Still circles away and keeps his distance.
Dre Still seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bragg takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bragg goes for a double leg but Still avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Still continues to drive forward.
Still slowing the pace effectively.
Bragg is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Still pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Bragg has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Still clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Still tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Still manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Still moves into full guard.
Bragg stands up over Still, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Still escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bragg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bragg is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Still has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Bragg is looking to defend but Still has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Bragg! Still pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Bragg taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Dre Still!
Dre Still is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Dre Still thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.