PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Marsden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Dragunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marsden's entrance music is Feiticeira by Deftones. A fine choice. Dragunov has chosen 2pac-Uppercut as his entrance music. Brandon Marsden has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Marsden
vs
Dragunov

176 cm
31
170 lbs
23 - 14 - 1

184 cm
37
153 lbs
37 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
BeastMode

GREEN!160
Arcticus

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brandon Marsden!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergei Dragunov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dragunov throws a jab but it's blocked by Marsden.
A jab from Dragunov misses.
Marsden changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Marsden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dragunov.
Dragunov misses with a left hand
and Marsden counters with a stiff right hand.
Dragunov takes one to the chin there.

Marsden moves into the clinch successfully.
Marsden changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dragunov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dragunov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Dragunov connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragunov slips a jab from Marsden.
Dragunov throws out a counter right but Marsden avoids it with no problem.
A lazy body kick from Marsden
and Dragunov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Dragunov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Dragunov misses the target.
Dragunov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Marsden throws a leg kick that misses.
Marsden misses with a takedown
and Dragunov counters with a body kick.
Sergei Dragunov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Marsden closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Marsden lands in his opponent's guard.
Marsden with a flurry of punches that miss.

Dragunov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Marsden presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Marsden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dragunov's elbow.
Dragunov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dragunov tries a body shot but Marsden blocks it.
Marsden misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsden doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dragunov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Marsden's efforts to push away.

Marsden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Marsden has managed to clinch.
Marsden swings wildly with an uppercut but Dragunov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dragunov's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Dragunov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Marsden lands with a right to the head.
Dragunov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Marsden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dragunov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marsden lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Marsden tries a body shot but Dragunov blocks it.
Dragunov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dragunov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marsden's elbow.
Marsden wants a takedown.
Marsden tries to break the clinch but Dragunov is controlling the position.
Dragunov blocks a body shot from Marsden.
Dragunov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dragunov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragunov blocks a body shot from Marsden.
Dragunov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Marsden misses with a punch to the body.
Dragunov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Marsden backwards.
Marsden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Marsden blocks a body shot from Dragunov.
Marsden changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dragunov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Marsden misses with a kick to the body.
Dragunov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Good work by Dragunov as he checks the leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dragunov.
Dragunov throws a lazy right hand but Marsden sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Marsden clinches.
Dragunov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Dragunov tries to throw a body punch but Marsden avoids it by throwing Dragunov back against the cage.
Dragunov throws a punch but it's blocked by Marsden.
Marsden drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marsden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsden has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dragunov stops a takedown attempt from Marsden.

Marsden wants the takedown. Dragunov is fighting it off but Marsden persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Dragunov's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marsden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dragunov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Marsden won't allow Dragunov to get back to his feet.
Marsden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Dragunov pushes Marsden off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Dragunov misses with a body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Dragunov. That snapped Marsden's head back.
Dragunov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dragunov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sergei Dragunov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice body punch from Marsden.
Dragunov throws a body kick that misses
enabling Marsden to counter with a crisp jab.
Marsden looks for a takedown but Dragunov sprawls well.
Marsden misses with a body kick.
A head kick misses from Marsden.
Dragunov wants to clinch up but Marsden keeps it at a distance.
Marsden circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marsden lands a body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Marsden.
Brandon Marsden is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragunov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Marsden rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dragunov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dragunov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Dragunov lands a nice shot that snaps Marsden's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marsden clinches up with Dragunov and pushes him back against the cage.
Marsden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dragunov's elbow.
A body shot lands from Marsden.
Dragunov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Marsden backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Dragunov fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Marsden.
Dragunov lands a left hand.
Marsden tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marsden.
A short right from Dragunov.
Marsden lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dragunov backwards.
Dragunov digs a right hand underneath Marsden's ribcage. Marsden let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Dragunov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Marsden backwards.
Dragunov blocks a body shot from Marsden.
Dragunov struggles to land a body shot inside as Marsden controls his hands.
Marsden misses with a punch on the inside.
Marsden misses with a punch to the body.
Dragunov can't find room to land a body shot as Marsden controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsden drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A left hand lands to the body for Dragunov.

Marsden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brandon Marsden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dragunov throws a body punch but Marsden moves out of range.
Marsden looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dragunov is fending him off so far but Marsden persists. Nope, Dragunov circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Marsden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dragunov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Marsden.
Dragunov tries to close the distance and clinch but Marsden swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Marsden attempts a counter takedown but Dragunov avoids it well and moves away.
Dragunov swings for the body but Marsden moves out of range.
Marsden throwing a counter right hand but Dragunov manages to avoid it.
Marsden lands with a slapping head kick.
Marsden throws a series of punches but Dragunov avoids them all with ease.
Marsden misses with a hook.
Dragunov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Marsden wants to land a leg kick but Dragunov is out of range.
Dragunov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Marsden.
Marsden looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dragunov avoids the head kick by Marsden.
Marsden lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Marsden shoots in for a takedown but Dragunov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Marsden misses with a hook. Dragunov ducked under it nicely.
Marsden throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Marsden lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Marsden.
Marsden feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Dragunovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Dragunov feints and then cracks Marsden's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Marsden down.
Marsden lands with a straight right. Dragunov didn't see that one coming.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marsden tries to work over Dragunov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dragunov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Marsden backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Dragunov prevents Marsden from breaking the clinch.
Dragunov blocks a body shot from Marsden.
Marsden tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dragunov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Marsden can't find room to land a body shot as Dragunov controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marsden.
Marsden digs a right hand into Dragunov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dragunov's gas tank.
Dragunov lands with a short shot to the head.
Dragunov lands a hook that snaps the head of Marsden backwards.
Dragunov lands an uppercut.
Dragunov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dragunov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Marsden backwards.
Dragunov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Dragunov has Marsden pressed against the cage, preventing Marsden from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Marsden blocking some punches.
Marsden swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dragunov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marsden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dragunov's elbow.
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 Brandon Marsden 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.

Marsden has managed to clinch.
Sergei Dragunov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dragunov lands a nice uppercut.
Dragunov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marsden drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dragunov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dragunov tries to clinch there but Marsden circles away.
Marsden throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dragunov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Dragunov misses.
Dragunov blocks the body kick.
A low kick from Marsden is predictable there
and Dragunov counters with a body kick.

Marsden clinches up with Dragunov and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marsden misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Marsden's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Marsden drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Dragunov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dragunov.
Marsden tries to work over Dragunov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Marsden scores with a hook to the body.
Marsden is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Marsden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dragunov tries to work over Marsden's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Marsden is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dragunov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dragunov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dragunov blocks a body shot from Marsden.
A frustrated look appears on Marsden's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Dragunov.
Marsden wants to get back to striking at distance but Dragunov won't allow it.
Marsden is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dragunov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dragunov.
Marsden lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dragunov blocking some punches.
Dragunov lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Dragunov.
Dragunov misses with a body punch.
Marsden throws a head punch that misses.
Dragunov prevents the takedown attempt.
Dragunov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Marsden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dragunov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Dragunov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Marsden's calf.
A shot to the liver by Marsden. Beautiful body shot.
Marsden moves forwards but Dragunov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Marsden needs to keep his hands up - Dragunov had a free shot at his head there.
Marsden thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dragunov stuns Marsden with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Marsden fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And Dragunov responds with a good body kick, but Marsden manages to step out the way in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oooooh!!! Dragunov has knocked Marsden down with a huge combo! Dragunov steps away and waves a wobbly Marsden back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Marsden is rocked!
Dragunov connects with a leg kick. Marsden looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Oh Marsden is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Dragunov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dragunov drops Marsden with a straight left! Oh this is bad for Marsden! Dragunov dives in and starts dropping bombs - the referee has no choice but to step in and save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sergei Dragunov!
Sergei Dragunov is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Sergei Dragunov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Brandon Marsden spoke after the fight, saying 'I didn't lose that fight in my mind. True victory is to give all of yourself, without regret. '.