PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Draganov (ranked 597 p4p, 704 weight class) and Mamed Khalidovic (ranked 84 p4p, 104 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Khalidovic's choice of entrance music: Зима-мама 25/17. Mamed Khalidovic told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Draganov
vs
Khalidovic

178 cm
24
155
7 - 3 - 0

183 cm
24
157
8 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

HELLBENT
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ivan Draganov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Mamed Khalidovic!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khalidovic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Draganov's head backwards.
Khalidovic misses with a head kick.
Draganov slips under a jab.
Khalidovic throws out a loose jab but Draganov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Khalidovic.
Draganov slips a straight right by Khalidovic.
Draganov staying out of range there.
Draganov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Khalidovic checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Khalidovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Draganov.
Khalidovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Khalidovic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Draganov.
It seemed like Khalidovic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Khalidovic misses with a looping right.
The fighters circle momentarily. Draganov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've been told by Draganov's head coaches at Hare of the Dog Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Draganov tries to land a body kick
and Khalidovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Draganov is looking to chop away at Khalidovic's legs.
Khalidovic on the wrong end of a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Draganov misses with an uppercut. Khalidovic saw that one coming.
Khalidovic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Draganov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Draganov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Draganov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Draganov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Khalidovic is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Draganov to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovic lands with a light punch inside.
Draganov misses with a body punch.
Khalidovic lands a shot to the body.
Khalidovic gets through Draganov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Khalidovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Draganov lands with a nice body punch.
Khalidovic throws an off balance right hand
and Draganov counters with a leg kick.
Draganov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd cheers as Draganov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Khalidovic doesn't seem phased though.
Good work by Khalidovic as he checks the leg kick.
Draganov feints and then cracks Khalidovic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Khalidovic down.
Draganov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Khalidovic misses with a head kick.
Khalidovic looks to land a right hand but Draganov moved out of range.
Draganov moves away from the strike by Khalidovic.
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!
Khalidovic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A telegraphed right hand from Khalidovic misses the target.
Khalidovic throws the left hand but Draganov avoids the punch easily.
A left lands for Draganov.
Draganov throws a low kick, looking for Khalidovic's leg but Khalidovic calmly moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Draganov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khalidovic moves away.
Khalidovic lands a head shot.
Khalidovic loads up on a big right hand but Draganov slips the punch.
Khalidovic lands with an overhand left.
Draganov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ivan Draganov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khalidovic wants to slow Draganov down by chopping away at his legs.
Khalidovic cracks Draganov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Khalidovic digs a good hook to Draganov's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Draganov. Khalidovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khalidovic looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Khalidovic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Draganov doesn't seem bothered though.
Draganov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Khalidovic throws out the jab.
Khalidovic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A bone on bone clash there as Draganov blocks the leg kick.
Draganov lunges at Khalidovic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Khalidovic's hand.
Draganov checks the leg kick nicely there.
A low kick lands for Draganov.
Draganov blocks a jab.
Khalidovic throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Draganov to counter with a crisp jab.
A combination from Draganov does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Draganov throws a body punch but Khalidovic moves out of range.
Draganov keeps Khalidovic at a distance using the push kick.
Khalidovic throws a hook but Draganov avoids it easily.
Draganov darts in trying to clinch
and Khalidovic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Draganov throws a leg kick but Khalidovic sees it coming and moves out of range.
Draganov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Draganov cracks Khalidovic with a right hand to the side of the head.
Khalidovic throws a hook but Draganov blocks it.
Khalidovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Draganov manages to avoid it.
Draganov throwing a counter right hand but Khalidovic manages to avoid it.
Draganov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Draganov.
Draganov avoids the body shot from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Khalidovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Draganov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khalidovic.
Draganov connects with a leg kick.
Draganov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khalidovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Khalidovic ducks under a wild hook from Draganov.
The fighters circling - Draganov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Khalidovic lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Draganov at a distance.
Draganov throws a body punch but Khalidovic moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Khalidovic! But no joy.
Draganov swings for the body but Khalidovic moves out of range.
Khalidovic checks a leg kick.
Draganov staying out of range there.
Khalidovic lands with a right hand.
Draganov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Draganov closes the distance and clinches.
Draganov tries to work over Khalidovic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Draganov scores with a nice short uppercut.

Khalidovic manages to break the clinch.
Draganov throws a low kick but Khalidovic moves out of range easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Draganov throws out a loose jab but Khalidovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Draganov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Khalidovic is out of range.
Khalidovic has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Draganov.
A left lands for Draganov.
Khalidovic scores with a jab to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ivan Draganov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Khalidovic blocks a jab.
Khalidovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Draganov.
It seemed like Khalidovic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A combination from Draganov does no damage.
Draganov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Draganov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Khalidovic.
Draganov checks a leg kick.
Draganov throws a shot to the body.
Draganov lands with an uppercut that bounces Khalidovic off the cage and back into range.
A leg kick checked by Draganov.
Khalidovic gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Khalidovic throws a shot from downtown. Draganov moves away and avoids it.
Draganov looks to throw the jab but Khalidovic is out of range.
Khalidovic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Draganov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Khalidovic.
Draganov throws a body shot but no joy.
Khalidovic fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Khalidovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Khalidovic throws a body punch but Draganov moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Draganov swings for the body but Khalidovic moves out of range.
Khalidovic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Draganov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Khalidovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Draganov.
Ivan Draganov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Draganov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Khalidovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Draganov throws an overhand right that lands on Khalidovic's shoulder, as Khalidovic tries to avoid the shot.

Draganov takes the fight into the clinch.
Draganov tries to work over Khalidovic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Draganov misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Draganov fails to land.
Draganov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Khalidovic.

Khalidovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Draganov lands with a shot to the body.
Draganov misses with a low kick as Khalidovic jumps back.
Draganov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Khalidovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Draganov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Draganov with a nice calf kick.
Draganov slips a straight right by Khalidovic.
Khalidovic on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Khalidovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Draganov has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Draganov prevents a body shot from Khalidovic.
Draganov takes a shot to the head.
Draganov scores with a shoulder strike.
Draganov throws a head punch that misses.
Draganov works on Khalidovic's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Draganov.
Draganov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Khalidovic backwards.
Draganov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Draganov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Khalidovic lands a nice uppercut.
Khalidovic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Draganovs head.
Draganov working aggressively here.

Khalidovic pulls Draganov into guard.
Draganov is looking to stand up but Khalidovic won't let him.
Draganov throws a big right hand that misses.
Khalidovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Khalidovic wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Draganov is now in half guard.
Khalidovic controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Draganov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Khalidovic wants to improve his position but Draganov is controlling well.
Khalidovic slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Khalidovic is trying to keep Draganov in close.
Draganov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Draganov is looking to stand up but Khalidovic won't let him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Draganov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Khalidovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Draganov.
Draganov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Khalidovic throws a front kick aimed at Draganov's knee but Draganov avoids it well.
Khalidovic lands a right hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Draganov.
An inside leg kick lands from Khalidovic.
Draganov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Draganov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Khalidovic throws a hook but Draganov blocks it.
Draganov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Draganov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Draganov staying out of range there.
Khalidovic looks to throw the jab but Draganov is out of range.
Khalidovic takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Khalidovic lands a body shot.
Draganov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Khalidovic on the side of the head.
Draganov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Draganov fails in his attempt to clinch.
A nice side step and Khalidovic releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Khalidovic misses the jab.
Khalidovic misses with a looping left.
Khalidovic checks the leg kick nicely there.
Khalidovic misses with a body shot.
Khalidovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Draganov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Draganov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khalidovic manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Draganov tries to land a leg kick but Khalidovic saw it coming and moves away.
A slow jab from Draganov misses its intended target.
Khalidovic throws a hook but Draganov blocks it.
Draganov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A head kick by Khalidovic misses
and Draganov counters with a low kick, right behind Khalidovic 's knee.
Draganov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A jab from Draganov does it's job there.
Draganov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Draganov misses with a low kick.
Khalidovic looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Khalidovic throws an overhand right that lands on Draganov's shoulder, as Draganov tries to avoid the shot.
Khalidovic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Khalidovic looks to throw the jab but Draganov is out of range.
Draganov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Draganov throws a hook but Khalidovic avoids it easily.
Draganov ducks under a wild hook from Khalidovic.
A low kick lands for Khalidovic.
Draganov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Khalidovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Draganov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Draganov clinches up with Khalidovic and pushes him back against the cage.
Khalidovic leaning his opponent against the cage.
Draganov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Draganov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mamed Khalidovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khalidovic takes a shot to the head.
Draganov working aggressively here.
Draganov throws a punch but it's blocked by Khalidovic.

Khalidovic manages to break the clinch.
Khalidovic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Khalidovic avoids the head kick by Draganov.
Draganov feints and then cracks Khalidovic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Khalidovic down.

Draganov pushes Khalidovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Khalidovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Draganov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Khalidovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Draganov slips under a jab.
A little feinted left hand from Draganov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Draganov throws a hook to the side of Khalidovic's head but Khalidovic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Draganov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Draganov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A looping hook to the body misses from Draganov. Khalidovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Draganov throws an overhand right that lands on Khalidovic's shoulder, as Khalidovic tries to avoid the shot.
Khalidovic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Draganov misses with an uppercut.
Khalidovic throws a hook but Draganov avoids it easily.
Draganov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Khalidovic can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Draganov ducks under a wild hook from Khalidovic.
A swing and a miss from Khalidovic.
Draganov wants to clinch.
Khalidovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Khalidovic moves out of range of the leg kick from Draganov.
Khalidovic throws a low kick but it's checked well by Draganov.
Khalidovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Draganov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Draganov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Draganov thuds his shin into the meat of Khalidovic's side.
A combination from Draganov does no damage.
Khalidovic swings widly with a right hand
and Draganov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Draganov dips to his left and cracks Khalidovic with an uppercut!
Draganov throws an off balance right hand
and Khalidovic counters with a straight right hand.
Khalidovic scores with a hook to the body. Draganov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Draganov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ivan Draganov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Khalidovic takes one on the button.
A big left from Khalidovic misses.
A low kick lands for Draganov.
Draganov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Khalidovic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Draganov.
Khalidovic scores with a hook to the body. Draganov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Draganov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A nice inside leg kick there by Draganov. That's going to slow Khalidovic down.
Khalidovic dips to his left and cracks Draganov with an uppercut!
Khalidovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Draganov misses the shot to the body.
Draganov with the inside leg kick.
Draganov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Khalidovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Draganov moves away.
Khalidovic smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Draganov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Khalidovic looks to land a left hand but Draganov moved out of range nicely.
Khalidovic throws a leg kick but Draganov sees it coming and moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Draganov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Draganov, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Draganov!
A less than humble Ivan Draganov misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.