PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drago has chosen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc as his entrance music. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Ivan Drago will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Velasquez
vs
Drago

185 cm
19
242 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

202 cm
23
272 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kain Velasquez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Drago!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drago throws a body punch but Velasquez moves out of range.
Drago throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Velasquez.
A combination from Drago does no damage.
Drago looks to land a combination but Velasquez avoids it well.
Drago misses with a two punch combination.

Velasquez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Velasquez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Velasquez controlling from mount.
Velasquez throws some wild stikes that Drago manages to avoid easily.
Velasquez controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez punching from mount but Drago doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Velasquez controlling from mount.
Velasquez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Drago for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Kain Velasquez just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Velasquez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drago.
Drago throws a nice looking combination but Velasquez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Drago misses with a double jab.
Drago throws a hook but Velasquez avoids it easily.
A big left from Drago misses.
Velasquez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Velasquez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago throws a hook to the side of Velasquez's head but Velasquez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Drago throws a body punch but Velasquez moves out of range.

Velasquez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Drago really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Velasquez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Velasquez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Velasquez taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drago is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kain Velasquez dominated that round.
That's time! Velasquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Drago misses with a jab, cross combination.
Velasquez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Drago.
Ivan Drago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Drago misses with a wild body shot.
Drago throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Velasquez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Velasquez throws out a loose jab but Drago uses good head movement to avoid it.

Velasquez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Velasquez lands in his opponent's guard.
Velasquez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez trying to control but Drago is working from the bottom.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Kain Velasquez just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Velasquez slips a jab and a cross from Drago.
Drago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Velasquez feints and as Drago raises his hands in defense, Velasquez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Velasquez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Velasquez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Velasquez tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
An elbow from Velasquez crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago is being controlled here.
Velasquez works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Drago is trying to escape the position but Velasquez is controlling the position.
The ground and pound from Velasquez seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Velasquez controlling the position from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago struggling a bit here.
The referee asks Velasquez politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Velasquez prefers to stall for the moment though.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Kain Velasquez just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Drago misses with a straight right.
Drago throws a right and a left that both miss.
A combination from Drago does no damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drago misses with a double jab.
Drago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Drago is breathing heavily.
Drago throws a shot from downtown. Velasquez moves away and avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kain Velasquez dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Drago misses with a wild body shot.
Drago misses with a looping right.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Velasquez.
Drago misses with a double jab.
Velasquez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Velasquez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Velasquez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Drago looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
An elbow from Velasquez crashes against the mat.
Velasquez works to advance to full mount. Drago defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Velasquez controlling from mount.
Drago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Velasquez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velasquez with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Velasquez looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two 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.

Velasquez looking to secure an arm triangle but Drago defends it well.

Velasquez goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Drago turns into him and now he's in Velasquez's guard.
Drago trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez wants to sweep here but Drago controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velasquez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Velasquez here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Velasquez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Drago is one step ahead there.
Velasquez trying to control the position here.

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.
Velasquez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Drago!
Velasquez controlling his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kain Velasquez clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Velasquez shoots in and drives through. Drago sprawls well.
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Drago saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Drago throws a big shot that misses.

Velasquez feints and as Drago raises his hands in defense, Velasquez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Velasquez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Drago is keeping the position for now.
Drago tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Drago is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Velasquez is controlling him.
Velasquez content to stall in guard here.
Velasquez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez advances position into side control!
Kain Velasquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Drago is trying to control Velasquez's posture but Velasquez avoids it.
Drago wants to get back to his feet.
Velasquez has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Drago!
BOOM! Velasquez connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Velasquez lands a big elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Kain Velasquez just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Drago takes a swing at Velasquez's ribcage but misses.
Drago swings for the body but Velasquez moves out of range.
Ivan Drago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Velasquez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Drago throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Drago is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez gets a takedown into half guard.
Drago is trying to stand back up but Velasquez is controlling him
Velasquez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Velasquez is nestled in close to Drago, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez not doing much here.
Velasquez prevents Drago from improving his position.
Velasquez trying to mount his opponent but Drago defends it.
Velasquez throwing shots but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Drago pushes Velasquez off looking to stand but Velasquez dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kain Velasquez had his way with Ivan Drago in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Drago fails to land with a series of punches.
Drago misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Velasquez.
Drago throws a hook but Velasquez avoids it easily.
Drago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A chopping leg kick lands by Velasquez.
Drago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Velasquez was well out of range. Poor timing from Drago.

Velasquez drives through with a takedown into guard.
Velasquez 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.
Velasquez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Velasquez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Velasquez passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago is trying to get back to his feet.
Drago is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Drago trying to control but Velasquez flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Velasquez scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Drago controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Velasquez throwing damaging strikes from the back! Drago could be in trouble here!
Velasquez scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Drago is looking for a way out.
Velasquez is punishing Drago with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez punishes Drago with strikes from the back mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velasquez controlling from the back.
Velasquez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Velasquez softening up his opponent with strikes here.

Drago defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Drago preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Velasquez.
Drago holding both Velasquez 's hands and preventing any damage.
Kain Velasquez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez controls the action.
Ivan Drago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Velasquez scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kain Velasquez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Velasquez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:44
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45
Judge George Francis scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kain Velasquez!
Kain Velasquez retains his heavyweight title!