PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Neil Drake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darth Vader (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Drake
vs
Vader

165 cm
26
145 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

165 cm
26
134 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Vikai Gear
Atlantis

Alcatraz Apparel
Atlantis

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Neil Drake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Darth Vader !
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vader throws a body kick that misses.
Drake uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vader .
Some wild striking there from Drake.
Vader looks to throw the jab but Drake is out of range.
Drake feinted with a counter takedown.
Vader pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Drake shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vader as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vader avoids the body shot from Drake.
Vader tries to work over Drake's front leg with a kick but Drake checks it.
Vader throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Drake chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vader can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake throws a series of punches but Vader avoids them all with ease.
Vader looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Drake missing with a left hand there. Vader was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vader throws a big counter head kick but Drake avoids it with no problem.
Vader misses with a hook.
Drake fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Drake tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Drake throws a jab when Vader was well out of range.
Drake throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vader throws a half hearted mid kick.
Drake closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Drake ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Drake drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vader sprawls and moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Drake misses the target.
Drake looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Vader bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Darth Vader is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vader throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Drake tries to move into range but Vader moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Drake misses with a series of wild punches.
Vader connects with a leg kick. Drake looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vader misses the shot to the body.
Vader defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Drake.
Vader is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Drake with a body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neil Drake. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drake misses with a hook. Vader ducked under it nicely.
Vader feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Drake's calf.
Drake misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vader .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vader slips a jab and a cross from Drake.
Vader cracks Drake with an open hand slap.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vader .
Vader moves out of range of the strikes.
Vader appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Drake shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vader throws a hook but Drake avoids it easily.
Drake tries to counter with a takedown but Vader is quick to defend against it.
Drake bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vader 's head backwards.
Drake moves out of range of the body kick from Vader .
Drake scores with a nice strike.
Vader bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vader walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Drake checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake shoots in looking for a takedown. Vader tries to sprawl out of it but Drake keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vader manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Drake has a takedown stuffed.
Vader connects with a jab.
Vader scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Decent striking displayed by Vader there.
A good leg kick by Vader .
Drake jabs at Vader 's body.
A big left from Drake misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darth Vader dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Drake swinging wildly here.
Vader swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Drake checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Drake misses with an uppercut. Vader saw that one coming.
Vader misses with a hook.
Vader misses with an attempted mid kick.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Drake might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Vader throws an overhand right that lands on Drake's shoulder, as Drake tries to avoid the shot.
Nice body kick from Vader .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vader slips a straight right by Drake.
Vader ducks under a wild hook from Drake.
Drake misses with an uppercut.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vader ! But no joy.
Drake throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vader throws the left hand but Drake avoids the punch easily.
Drake drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vader sprawls and moves away.
Vader connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Vader walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Drake checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Drake throws a hook to the side of Vader 's head but Vader sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Drake misses with an uppercut.
Good work by Drake as he checks the leg kick.
Drake with a hook.
Drake loads up on a big right hand but Vader slips the punch.
Drake checks a leg kick.
Vader defending well as Drake loads up on a big left hand.
Vader lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vader takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Drake 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.
Drake loads up on a big right hand but Vader slips the punch.
Darth Vader seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Drake. Vader does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vader throws a looping overhand right but Drake ducks down to avoid it.
Vader pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vader uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drake.
Drake takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No luck for Drake with that takedown attempt.
Danga de danga de dang - Drake scores with a four punch combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vader misses with an attempted mid kick.
Darth Vader seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vader connects with an inside leg kick.
Vader connects with a jab.
Vader misses with a leg kick

and Drake counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Vader !
Vader is looking for a sweep.
Vader stops Drake from passing to mount.
Drake is looking to take a break and control but Vader is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Drake tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vader keeps working.
Vader manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drake is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vader really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Drake. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Drake won't allow Vader to pass to mount.
Drake trying to hold on to Vader 's head to control him but Vader postures up.

Drake looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
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 Neil Drake 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.

A swing and a miss from Vader .
Vader moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Drake closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vader circles away.
Vader is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Drake with a body shot.
Drake misses with a body shot.
Drake misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vader .
Drake throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vader with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Drake has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Vader .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake walks into a straight right hand from Vader .
Drake is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Drake moves out of range of the strikes.
Vader ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake thows a left - swing and a miss!
Drake shoots in for a double leg but Vader sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vader was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Vader throws a sloppy head kick and Drake moves out of range easily.
Vader looks to score with a jab to the body but Drake is just out of range.
Drake changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vader avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vader takes a swing at Drake's ribcage but misses.
Drake misses with a straight right.
Vader misses with a looping left.
Vader looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Drake half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Vader .
Vader bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Drake's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake swings away with a body shot that misses
and Vader counters with a nice leg kick.
Drake avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Drake shoots in for a double leg but Vader sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neil Drake. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vader looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Vader throws a jab when Drake was well out of range.
Drake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vader tests Drake's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vader throws a leg kick but Drake sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Vader fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Drake.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Vader . Drake does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vader fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Drake is out of range.
Drake feinted with a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vader throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Drake moves out of range of the strikes.
Drake drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vader sprawls and moves away.
Vader has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Drake misses with a straight left.
Vader lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Vader throws a leg kick but Drake checks it.
Drake feinted with a counter takedown.
Vader scores with a push kick.
Drake walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A head kick by Vader misses

and Drake decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vader 's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drake trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vader can do anything to dispel that myth.
Drake throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vader works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Drake wants to pass the guard but Vader is keeping the position.
Vader 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.
Drake looking to pass the guard.
Drake preventing the sweep.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Drake passes Vader 's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Drake is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darth Vader really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vader lands a slapping body shot.
Drake scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Drake.
Drake feinted with a counter takedown.
Vader connects with a single shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vader .
Vader throws out a counter right but Drake avoids it with no problem.
Vader tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drake was well out of range. Poor timing from Vader .
Drake throws out a loose jab but Vader uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vader ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake avoids a kick to the body.
Vader explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Vader is looking to chop away at Drake's legs.
Vader lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Vader lands a high kick!
Good leg kick by Vader there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Drake lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Drake.
Drake misses with a wild body shot.
Drake avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Drake lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Vader misses.
Vader wants to land a leg kick but Drake is out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vader lands a slapping body shot.
Vader throws out a loose jab but Drake uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drake feinted with a counter takedown.
Drake is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vader .
Vader throws a leg kick that misses.
Vader feints and then cracks Drake's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Drake down.
Vader lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Drake moves out of range as Vader throws a body kick.
Drake throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake misses with a body shot.
Vader throws a quick inside leg kick.
Drake rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vader counters with a slapping leg kick.
Vader misses with a hook.
Vader buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
That kick from Vader tenderised Drake's leg. Drake is trying to keep his angry face on.
Drake throws the left hand but Vader avoids the punch easily.
Vader now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Vader throws a jab when Drake was well out of range.
Drake changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Drake thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vader was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
The fighters circling - Drake throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Drake will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vader avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A slow jab from Drake misses its intended target.
Drake stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vader .
Drake misses with a hook
and Vader counters with a nice low kick that buckles Drake's knee momentarily.
Vader swings for the body but Drake moves out of range.
Vader throws a quick inside leg kick.
Drake works over Vader 's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vader lands a front kick.
Vader lands a jab to Drake's midsection.
Vader throws a sloppy head kick and Drake moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darth Vader dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Drake slips under a jab.
Vader throws out a leg kick but Drake moves out of range and Vader only half commits.
Vader throws a body punch but Drake moves out of range.
Vader just misses with a punch to the body.
Drake checks the leg kick.
Drake chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vader can pounce on him.
Drake takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake loads up on a big right hand but Vader slips the punch.
Vader connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Drake shoots in for a takedown but Vader shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vader tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drake was well out of range. Poor timing from Vader .
Drake feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vader tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Drake drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vader sprawls and moves away.
Nice shot lands for Vader .
Vader throws a head kick that misses.
Drake drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vader sprawls and moves away.
Vader throws a body punch but Drake moves out of range.
Good work by Drake as he checks the leg kick.
A big right from Drake misses.
Drake throws a lazy uppercut
and Vader counters with a body kick that stops Drake in his tracks momentarily.
Drake throws out a loose jab but Vader uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drake throws a hook but Vader blocks it.
Vader tries a quick counter leg kick but Drake is wise to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fighters circling - Drake throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A good leg kick by Vader .
Drake throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vader throws a leg kick that is checked

and Drake counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Drake is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vader is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Drake misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Vader prevents Drake from improving position.
Neil Drake overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake 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.

Drake looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Drake tries to advance position but instead Vader slips a leg back in to half guard.
Drake is looking to take a break and control but Vader is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Darth Vader is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vader trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vader is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Drake is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Vader sees it coming and defends easily.
Drake thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vader 's head.
Vader is controlling Drake's position as best he can from this difficult position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vader wants to get back to full guard.
Neil Drake has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vader is still trying to improve position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Darth Vader .
I think Vader 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 46:50
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 47:49
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darth Vader !
After winning the bout, Darth Vader thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.