PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Radu Dracul (ranked 150 p4p, 494 weight class) and Ryan Bolt (ranked 24 p4p, 66 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Dracul
vs
Bolt

190 cm
27
202
9 - 3 - 0

187 cm
29
212
6 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Radu Dracul!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Bolt!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bolt uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dracul has time to react.
We've been hearing reports that Dracul has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Bolt misses with a hook. Dracul ducked under it nicely.
Dracul feinted with a counter takedown.
Bolt works Dracul's body with a nice hook.
Bolt throws a combination that misses

and Dracul counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bolt!
Bolt stops Dracul from passing to mount.
Dracul in side control, throwing shots but Bolt defends.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dracul wants to control but Bolt is keeping him busy.
Dracul cracks Bolt with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolt dodges the ground and pound from Dracul.
Dracul in side control, throwing shots but Bolt defends.
Dracul 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.
You can see the frustration on Bolt's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dracul fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The ground and pound from Dracul seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Dracul sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Bolt is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Bolt defending against the ground and pound.
Bolt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dracul controls the position from side control.
Dracul throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bolt managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Dracul.
Dracul trying to control the position but Bolt is working away.
Bolt can't do much from the bottom here.
Bolt is not content to let Dracul control the position.
Bolt dodges the ground and pound from Dracul.
Dracul in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Dracul tries to score with some ground and pound. Bolt controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Dracul is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bolt has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul in side control, throwing shots but Bolt defends.
Dracul advances to full mount.
Bolt tries to hold on but Dracul postures up.
Bolt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dracul controlling from mount.
Bolt has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Dracul's lack of action.
Bolt gets back to full guard.
Bolt can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dracul controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul throwing strikes but missing.
Dracul in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dracul looking to sit in guard and control but Bolt gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bolt is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Dracul is trying to control the position but Bolt postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bolt trying to control but Dracul is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Radu Dracul dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bolt comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bolt misses with a hook to the body

so Dracul counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Dracul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dracul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dracul wants to control from the top but Bolt keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dracul cracks Bolt with a solid left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dracul controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Bolt avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bolt keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Dracul wants to control from the top but Bolt keeps moving.
Bolt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dracul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dracul throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dracul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dracul throwing strikes from guard but Bolt blocks nicely.
Bolt keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Dracul preventing the sweep.
Dracul 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.
Dracul throwing strikes from guard but Bolt blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dracul trying to control the position from guard on top but Bolt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bolt scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ryan Bolt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bolt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dracul was well out of range. Poor timing from Bolt.
Dracul feinted with a counter takedown.
Bolt throws a leg kick

and Dracul decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bolt's guard.
Dracul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bolt keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Dracul with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bolt keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Dracul working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bolt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bolt keeping full guard, as Dracul tries to pass.
Bolt keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Dracul trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bolt manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Dracul looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dracul has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Radu Dracul overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Dracul is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bolt preventing the sweep.
Bolt trying to control the position from guard on top but Dracul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dracul has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bolt has passed into side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dracul is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bolt's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Radu Dracul dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bolt throws a leg kick but Dracul moved away.
Dracul drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bolt sprawls and moves away.
Bolt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bolt misses with a looping left.
Bolt connects with an inside leg kick.
Bolt wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolt walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Dracul checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Dracul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bolt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dracul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolt misses with a low kick.
Dracul drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bolt sprawls and moves away.
Bolt misses with a straight left.
Bolt jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bolt wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bolt is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dracul rather than just go for the knockout.
Bolt looks to land a right hand but Dracul moved out of range.
Dracul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dracul is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bolt can do to turn this around?
Bolt throws a right hand that Dracul ducks under and follows up with a left that Dracul also avoids with ease.
Dracul attempts a counter takedown but Bolt avoids it well and moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Bolt misses the target.
Dracul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bolt misses with a body shot.
Bolt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dracul changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dracul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bolt.
Dracul appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bolt throws a shot from downtown. Dracul moves away and avoids it.
Nice shot by Bolt.
Bolt throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bolt connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dracul momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul slips a jab from Bolt.
Bolt lands a jab to the nose.
Bolt misses with a body shot.
Dracul drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bolt sprawls and moves away.
Dracul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bolt throws a right and a left that Dracul avoids nicely.
Dracul feinted with a counter takedown.
Bolt takes a swing at Dracul's ribcage but misses.
Dracul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bolt scores with a jab to the body.
Bolt thows a leg kick but Dracul checks it

and Dracul counters with a shoot takedown. Bolt fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dracul pushes down on Bolt's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Dracul drops an elbow to the side of Bolt's head.
Dracul thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dracul sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bolt defending well though.
Dracul thows a huge punch but Bolt dodges it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bolt is looking for a sweep. Dracul is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bolt keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dracul not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bolt is not content to let Dracul control the position.
Ground and pound from Dracul.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Bolt really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bolt shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bolt preventing the sweep.
Bolt trying to control but Dracul is working from the bottom.
Dracul wants to hit a sweep here but Bolt passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Dracul there!
Dracul is looking to get to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolt tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Dracul really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul is squirming around, avoiding Bolt's attempts to control the action.
Dracul is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Dracul is working hard here to advance position.
Dracul regains half guard.
Dracul is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bolt trying to control the pace.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dracul manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dracul is on top in guard.

Dracul in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul postures up in Bolt's guard and throws a big left but Bolt blocks it.
Dracul throws a big elbow that misses.
Dracul in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dracul is looking to work some ground and pound but Bolt has wrist control.
Dracul looking to sit in guard and control but Bolt gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dracul lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Dracul trying to control the position from guard on top but Bolt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dracul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dracul is looking to work some ground and pound but Bolt has wrist control.
Dracul throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bolt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bolt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dracul throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bolt tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dracul with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dracul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bolt keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Dracul throws a big elbow that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dracul works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Dracul content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Dracul not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Radu Dracul will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Bolt lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bolt ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dracul moves away.
Dracul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bolt loads up on a big right hand but Dracul slips the punch.
Bolt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dracul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Radu Dracul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Some wild striking there from Bolt.
Dracul appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolt thows a leg kick but Dracul checks it

and Dracul counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Dracul wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bolt keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolt on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dracul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dracul with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Dracul missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dracul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dracul throwing shots but Bolt is blocking nicely.
Dracul trying to control the pace.
Bolt is refusing to be controlled, as Dracul sits in half guard.
Dracul wants to free his trapped foot but Bolt is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dracul is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Dracul thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bolt is refusing to be controlled, as Dracul sits in half guard.
Bolt is holding on to half guard well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bolt scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Bolt misses its intended target.

Bolt looking to score a takedown here. Dracul is defending well but Bolt drives through and ends up in Dracul's guard.
Dracul looking for a sweep. Not yet Dracul, not yet.
Dracul wants to improve his position but instead Bolt has moved into half guard.
Dracul has his hands clasped together around Bolt's back. He's all about the action.
Bolt with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ryan Bolt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul wants to control but Bolt is keeping busy.
Dracul works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dracul wants to sweep but no luck.
Bolt tries to free his leg and advance position but Dracul is retaining full guard.
Dracul wants to sweep but no luck.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dracul wants to hit a sweep here but Bolt passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Dracul there!
Dracul is desperately trying to improve his position but Bolt has a good base and remains in mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ryan Bolt.
I think Dracul has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 48:47
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 48:47
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Radu Dracul!
Radu Dracul retains his light heavyweight title!
Radu Dracul decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.