PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between El Matador (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronnie Darrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Matador
vs
Darrow

164 cm
27
140 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

172 cm
26
155 lbs
5 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, El Matador!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Ronnie Darrow!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Darrow gets a clinch.
Darrow misses with some punches.
Matador has Darrow pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Darrow manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Matador lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Matador working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Darrow's thigh. Darrow counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Matador has gone for a leg lock! Darrow slips out almost immediately though and dives into Matador's guard.

Matador keeping moving, preventing Darrow from controlling successfully.

Matador manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Matador is working for takedown but Darrow is calmly controlling the position for now.
Darrow misses with the head strike.
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!
Darrow is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matador is defending well for now.
Darrow has a couple of punches blocked by Matador.
Darrow prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for El Matador. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Darrow lands a body punch.
Darrow lands a shoulder strike.
Matador goes for a takedown in the clinch but Darrow prevents it.
Matador throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darrow trying to land knees to the body.

Matador drags the fight down to the ground.
Darrow is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Darrow chips away with some ground and pound.
Matador is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Darrow content to stall in guard here.
Matador is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Hammer and fickle that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Matador wriggles free and stands up.
Darrow throws a quick inside leg kick.
Darrow chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ronnie Darrow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Matador closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Darrow did well to prevent Matador getting side control.
Matador scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matador is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Darrow has managed to free his arm - good work.
Matador is looking to pass Darrow's guard but actually Darrow recovers to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Darrow is trying to control the position but Matador postures up.
Matador lands a couple of elbows.
Matador throws a big elbow that misses.

Matador drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Darrow manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Matador has Darrow in his guard.

Darrow stops Matador from standing up.
Matador has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Darrow missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Matador is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Darrow presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Matador is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Darrow pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Matador blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matador fails to pull guard.
Matador is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Matador tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Darrow tries to work over Matador's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Darrow pushes Matador back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Darrow lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Darrow.
Darrow lands with a short shot to the head.
Darrow misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matador has a couple of punches blocked by Darrow.
Darrow misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matador has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Darrow avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Matador wants a takedown.
Darrow scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darrow is defending well against a takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darrow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Matador managing to block the knees to the body from Darrow.
Darrow lands a body shot.
Matador is breathing heavily.
Matador wants a takedown but no success here.
A short right from Darrow.
Matador takes a shot to the head.
Matador has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Darrow is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Darrow scores with a shoulder strike.
Darrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matador backwards.
Matador wants a takedown but no success here.
Matador is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Darrow obliges.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Darrow.
A left hand lands to the body for Darrow.
Darrow scores with a shot to the side of Matador's head.
A nice left hand lands by Darrow.
Matador has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Darrow after a bit of a struggle.
Darrow is leaning against Matador and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Darrow lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darrow lands a right hand.
Matador blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Darrow 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.

Darrow throws a nice outside leg kick.
Darrow has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matador on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Darrow throws a nice outside leg kick.
Darrow scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matador tries to score a power double leg takedown but Darrow sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Matador somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matador is defended easily by Darrow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darrow scores with a jab to the body.
Matador tries to score a power double leg takedown but Darrow sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Matador somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for El Matador. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matador takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Darrow misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matador fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matador takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matador has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Darrow.
Darrow connects with a crisp jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Matador.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matador closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Darrow did well to prevent Matador getting side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Darrow is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Matador's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Matador's back!
Darrow controlling the position well here. Matador rolled but Darrow kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Darrow lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Matador hold on?!
Darrow trying to control momentarily.
El Matador overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Darrow just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Matador is keeping busy.
Darrow missing with strikes.
Matador is trying to stand back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darrow is riding his opponent, not letting Matador buck him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darrow is landing with strikes. Matador can't take much more of this.
Matador is trying to get back to his feet but Darrow has full control of the position and if anything, Matador has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Matador is trying to shake Darrow off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Darrow won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
Matador fails with a takedown attempt.
Darrow appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Darrow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Darrow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Darrow with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A chopping leg kick lands by Darrow.
Darrow looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Darrow fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matador.
Darrow scoring well with a low kick there.

Darrow takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Darrow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matador on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Darrow tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matador avoids it.
Darrow on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Darrow lands a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Darrow lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matador backwards.
Darrow lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matador backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matador is working for takedown but Darrow is calmly controlling the position for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Darrow.
Darrow pushes Matador back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matador.
Darrow crunches a lovely knee into Matador's ribcage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Darrow.
Darrow scores with a shot to the side of Matador's head.
Nice body punch from Darrow - that landed with a thud.
Matador tries for a takedown but Darrow manages to get underhooks.
Darrow lands an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Darrow.
Darrow lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matador.
Matador blocking some punches.
Darrow working aggressively here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darrow misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matador drops down looking for an ankle pick but Darrow pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for El Matador. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Darrow throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matador.
A solid leg kick lands there for Darrow.
Ronnie Darrow seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matador misses with a takedown attempt

and Darrow counters by moving into the clinch.
Darrow lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matador jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Darrow walks away with a smile on his face. Matador gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Darrow lands the left hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Darrow. That's going to slow Matador down.
Matador moves out of range of the body kick from Darrow.
Matador drops down looking for a counter takedown but Darrow sprawls and moves away.
Matador moves forwards but Darrow connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Darrow connects with a solid leg kick.
Darrow fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Darrow throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Matador.
Matador moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Matador shoots for a double leg takedown but Darrow sprawls well. He's pushed Matador's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Matador closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ronnie Darrow is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Darrow lands with a nice body punch.
Darrow swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darrow ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Darrow lands a nice shot that snaps Matador's head back.
Darrow defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Matador.
Matador takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Darrow scores with a nice strike.
Matador misses with a takedown
and Darrow counters with a head kick. That will keep Matador thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
El Matador has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Darrow lands a leg kick that knocks Matador off balance momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronnie Darrow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Darrow winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 26:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronnie Darrow!