PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jax Teller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Dragunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Teller
vs
Dragunov

183 cm
32
190 lbs
25 - 12 - 0

185 cm
31
190 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

VIRAL COMBAT

Perkele!
GREEN!160

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 25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jax Teller!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ilya Dragunov!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dragunov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Teller takes a step back to recover.
Jax Teller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Teller swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Teller takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Dragunov lands a high kick to the side of Teller's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Dragunov dives into guard, looking to finish.

Teller is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Teller controls Dragunov momentarily but Dragunov frees himself.
Dragunov looking to pass the guard.
Dragunov passes Teller's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Dragunov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Teller defends it well.

Dragunov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Teller keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dragunov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Teller keeps working.
Dragunov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Teller haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Teller tries to roll over but Dragunov keeps him under control.
Dragunov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Dragunov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Dragunov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dragunov is keen to just control but Teller is a slippery customer.
Dragunov trying to pass the guard but Teller defending well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dragunov fails with a takedown attempt.
Teller looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dragunov gets tackled into the cage by Teller. Teller maintains the clinch.
Dragunov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Teller tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short left from Teller.
Teller tries to work over Dragunov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dragunov avoids a wild elbow strike from Teller.
Dragunov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Teller pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dragunov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Teller lands with a right to the head.
Dragunov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jax Teller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilya Dragunov.
Dragunov blocking some punches.
Teller lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Teller.
Teller lands a shoulder strike.
Teller has a couple of punches blocked by Dragunov.
Dragunov is trying to break the clinch but Teller is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dragunov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Teller lands with a right to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dragunov gets through Teller's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dragunov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dragunov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Dragunov misses with a punch on the inside.
Teller wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Dragunov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Teller doesn't manage to clinch there - Dragunov circles away.
Teller throws a half hearted mid kick.
Teller feints and then cracks Dragunov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dragunov down.
Teller stuffs the takedown.
Teller chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Dragunov throws a sloppy body shot
and Teller counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ilya Dragunov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Teller misses with an uppercut

and Dragunov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Teller!

It looks like Ilya Dragunov has been cut.

Teller bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Nice shot lands for Dragunov.
Dragunov misses with a takedown attempt - Teller sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Teller has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Dragunov.
Dragunov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Teller at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dragunov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Teller is fending him off so far but Dragunov persists. Nope, Teller circles away and we're back to standing.
Teller looks to score with a jab to the body but Dragunov is just out of range.
A jab from Teller misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Teller looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Teller gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Dragunov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Dragunov trying to control but Teller is working from the bottom.
Dragunov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Teller is keeping the position for now.
Dragunov keeps trying to improve his position.
Teller wants to stand up but Dragunov is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dragunov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dragunov trying to control the position from guard on top but Teller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dragunov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Teller trying to keep a closed guard but Dragunov is proving a slippery customer.
Dragunov wants to control from the top but Teller keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov looking to pass the guard.
Dragunov preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab from Teller misses.
Jax Teller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dragunov works Teller's body with a nice hook.
Teller displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dragunov.
Jax Teller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilya Dragunov.
Dragunov lands a body shot.
Dragunov loads up on a big right hand but Teller slips the punch.
Dragunov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Teller tries to avoid it but Dragunov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Teller to the ground. Teller escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov lands a front kick.
Dragunov tries to clinch but Teller moves out of range.
Teller misses with an attempted mid kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Teller finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Teller.
Dragunov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Teller.
Teller will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Teller catches Dragunov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dragunov throws a head kick but Teller moves out of range.
Teller misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Dragunov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ilya Dragunov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dragunov scores with a push kick.
Teller throws a sloppy head kick and Dragunov moves out of range easily.
Dragunov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Dragunov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Teller stuffs the takedown.
Dragunov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Teller tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragunov misses with a looping left.
A jab from Dragunov does it's job there.
Teller misses with a kick to the body.
Teller looks to land a body kick but Dragunov moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Teller's sensitive parts.
Teller throws a leg kick that misses.
Dragunov looks for a takedown but Teller sprawls well.
Teller throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dragunov avoids the body shot from Teller.
Teller walks into a stiff left hand from Dragunov.
Teller throws a leg kick but Dragunov moved away.
Dragunov fails to land the takedown.
Jax Teller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilya Dragunov.
Teller throws a leg kick

and Dragunov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Teller!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov wants to control but Teller is keeping him busy.
Dragunov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Dragunov swings around for an armbar but Teller sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Dragunov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Teller stands and steps away. Dragunov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Nice body punch from Teller.
Dragunov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dragunov scores with a nice strike.
A punch combination from Dragunov misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Teller misses

and Dragunov counters with a shoot takedown. Teller fights it but they end up in guard.
Teller seems keen to control Dragunov's posture.
Teller trying to keep a closed guard but Dragunov is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Teller is on top in guard.

Dragunov is trying to control the position but Teller postures up.
Teller wanted to stand there but Dragunov had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dragunov has his foot on Teller's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Teller works his way back into a safe position though.
Teller postures up.
Dragunov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Teller wants to get up but he can't break Dragunov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dragunov wants to hit a switch here but Teller passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Dragunov there!
Dragunov tries to reverse the position but Teller maintains control.
Dragunov is still trying to improve position.
Dragunov tries to lock up and control but Teller gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ilya Dragunov just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Ilya Dragunov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Teller throws a head kick but Dragunov moves out of range.
Dragunov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Dragunov looks to score with a jab to the body but Teller is just out of range.
Teller tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Dragunov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Teller!
Teller is not content to let Dragunov control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dragunov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Teller pushes Dragunov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dragunov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragunov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Teller rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Dragunov's guard! Nice work there by Teller!

Teller gets to his feet - Dragunov follows without any prompting.
Teller chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Dragunov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Teller circles away.
Teller throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Teller tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dragunov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Teller swings for the body but Dragunov moves out of range.
Teller throws a half hearted mid kick.
Teller throws a half hearted mid kick.
A leg kick checked by Teller.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dragunov.
Teller lands a right hook to the body.
Dragunov throws a hook but Teller blocks it.
Teller tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice body kick there by Dragunov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Teller.
Dragunov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Teller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dragunov.
Dragunov looks to land a left hand but Teller moved out of range nicely.

Dragunov feints and as Teller raises his hands in defense, Dragunov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dragunov trying to control the position from guard on top but Teller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Teller tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Teller seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Dragunov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dragunov wants to control from the top but Teller keeps moving.
Dragunov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Teller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Teller avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dragunov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dragunov just misses with a punch to the body.
Ilya Dragunov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Teller keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Dragunov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ilya Dragunov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Teller goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Teller throws a low kick but Dragunov avoids it.
Teller avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dragunov moves out of range of the leg kick from Teller.
Some bone on bone action there as Dragunov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Dragunov lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragunov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dragunov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Teller was well out of range. Poor timing from Dragunov.
Teller pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Dragunov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Teller on his heels. He'll look to pass Teller's guard now, I'm sure.
Dragunov wants to control from the top but Teller keeps moving.
Dragunov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Dragunov preventing the sweep.
Dragunov forces his way into half guard.
Teller is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dragunov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dragunov's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Teller decides to get back to his feet. A strange decision but one that the crowd certainly appreciate.
Teller takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A shot to the liver by Dragunov. Beautiful body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Teller cracks Dragunov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Teller finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Teller throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Teller bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dragunov is defended easily by Teller.
Teller pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov scores with the left hand. Teller knows he should have avoided that one.
Teller tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jax Teller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dragunov with a nice cross.
Oh Teller is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Teller throws a quick inside leg kick.
Teller seems to have got his legs back now.
Teller throws a push kick but Dragunov slaps the foot to one side.

Teller lands a big head kick that sends Dragunov tumbling to the mat! Teller takes a step backwards and waves Dragunov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Dragunov is rocked!

Teller clinches with his opponent.
Ilya Dragunov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dragunov is still on wobbly legs! Can Teller finish him?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Teller swings wildly with an uppercut but Dragunov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dragunov seems to have recovered his senses.

Dragunov successfully pulls guard.
Teller throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dragunov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Teller has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dragunov is proving hard to escape from.

Dragunov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Dragunov looking for a guillotine here but Teller defends easily.

Dragunov looking for a guillotine here but Teller defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jax Teller.
I think Dragunov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 46:49
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Dragunov!
Ilya Dragunov is the new middleweight champion!