PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tom Obama (ranked 232 p4p, 1017 weight class) and Surkho Dratchev (ranked 27 p4p, 118 weight class). Dratchev has chosen Schweine by Glukoza Nostra as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Obama
vs
Dratchev

190 cm
35
265
42 - 16 - 0

194 cm
27
265
11 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 42 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Obama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Surkho Dratchev!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Obama bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dratchev's head backwards.
Dratchev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

A head kick lands from Dratchev that sends Obama to the canvas. Obama tries to scramble back to his feet but Dratchev brings him back down into side control.
Dratchev trying to control the action but Obama is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Obama defending against the ground and pound.

Dratchev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Obama stops Dratchev from passing to mount.
Dratchev is still trying to improve position.
Obama tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dratchev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obama is not content to let Dratchev control the position.
Obama tries to improve position but can't.
Dratchev tries to score with some ground and pound. Obama controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Dratchev in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Dratchev wants to control but Obama is keeping him busy.
Obama has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Obama stops Dratchev from passing to mount.
Obama dodges the ground and pound from Dratchev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dratchev in side control, throwing shots but Obama defends.
Sloppy strikes there by Dratchev.
Dratchev with the ground and pound but Obama regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Dratchev passes the guard and advances to mount!
Obama avoids a series of strikes thrown by Dratchev.
Dratchev punching from mount but Obama doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Dratchev controlling the position easily from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dratchev throwing strikes here but Obama is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dratchev trying to control but Obama is having none of it.
Obama avoids a series of strikes thrown by Dratchev.
Dratchev trying to control but Obama is having none of it.
Dratchev with good strikes from the mount here!

Obama defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Dratchev.
Obama is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Dratchev tries to control but Obama wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dratchev throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Obama avoids a series of strikes thrown by Dratchev.
Dratchev sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Obama is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Obama wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Dratchev.
Dratchev thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Dratchev unloads with some shots from mount but Obama bucks and avoids them well.
Dratchev wants to control the pace but Obama is squirming around nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dratchev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Dratchev moves into range and clinches up with Obama.
Obama gets through Dratchev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dratchev wants a takedown but no success here.
Obama misses with a punch on the inside.
Obama lands a nice uppercut.
Obama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
Obama lands a body shot in the clinch.
Obama struggles to land a body shot inside as Dratchev controls his hands.
Obama throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Obama lands a right hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Obama.
Dratchev is breathing heavily.
Dratchev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Obama pulls his leg out and moves away.
A jab from Obama finds it's way through Dratchev's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obama chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Obama dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dratchev. That did some damage!
Obama digs a good body shot into Dratchev's ribs.
A good leg kick by Dratchev.
Dratchev misses with a double jab
and Obama counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Obama misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Dratchev to counter with a crisp jab.
Dratchev throws a right hand that Obama ducks under and follows up with a left that Obama also avoids with ease.
Surkho Dratchev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Obama scores with a hook.
Nice cross by Dratchev.
Obama misses with a wild body shot.
Obama throws a sloppy head kick and Dratchev moves out of range easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dratchev throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dratchev misses with a hook
and Obama counters with a straight right hand.
Obama misses with a shot to the body
and Dratchev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick from Dratchev is predictable there
and Obama counters with a stiff right hand.
Dratchev misses with a double jab

and Obama moves into the clinch.
Obama misses with some punches.

Dratchev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dratchev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Obama instigates a clinch.
Obama lands with a right to the head.
Dratchev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Obama is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tom Obama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Surkho Dratchev.
Obama lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
Dratchev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dratchev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Obama lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Obama lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Obama works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Obama lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dratchev blocks a body shot from Obama.
Obama struggles to land a body shot inside as Dratchev controls his hands.
Obama working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Obama tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Obama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
Obama stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Obama digs a right hand underneath Dratchev's ribcage. Dratchev let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Obama tries to throw a body punch but Dratchev avoids it by throwing Obama back against the cage.
Obama misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Obama on the inside.
Obama lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dratchev.
Obama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Obama on the inside.
Obama is leaning against Dratchev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Obama - that landed with a thud.
Obama scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obama is leaning against Dratchev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short body shot lands from Obama as the two fighters clinch.
Obama tries a body shot but Dratchev blocks it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Obama.
Good body shot from Obama.
Obama lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
Obama lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
Obama tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dratchev's elbow.
Obama works on Dratchev's body with a couple of short punches.
Obama presses Dratchev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Obama misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right hook to the body lands for Obama.
Tom Obama has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Obama lands a left hand.
Obama lands a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice right hand lands inside from Obama.
Obama lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Obama is working Dratchev over against the cage.
Obama lands a left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Obama dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Both fighters circling a little - Obama finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Surkho Dratchev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Dratchev crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Obama - the referee stops the clock and Dratchev gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Obama. Dratchev manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Obama has managed to clinch.
Obama misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Obama working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Obama lands with a left to the head.
Obama struggles to land a body shot inside as Dratchev controls his hands.
Obama tries to work over Dratchev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Dratchev has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Obama clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dratchev is hanging on to Obama's back as he tries to escape.
Dratchev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Obama trying to control but not successfully.
Dratchev has the hooks in. Obama is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obama needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
Obama is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Surkho Dratchev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Obama avoids the strikes from Dratchev.
A lull in the action here.

Dratchev tightening his grip on Obama, looking for the choke.
Dratchev struggling to land strikes to the head as Obama covers up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obama breaks Dratchev's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Dratchev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Obama content to stall in guard here.
Dratchev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Obama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dratchev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dratchev looking to control.
Obama controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Dratchev working a defensive guard but Obama manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dratchev is trying to escape the position but Obama is controlling the position.
Dratchev is looking to regain half guard here but Obama keeps moving and retains side control.
Who's going to make the next move?
Dratchev is trying to escape the position but Obama is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Obama clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dratchev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Obama was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dratchev.
A decent looking cross lands there for Obama.
Dratchev looks to land a right hand but Obama moved out of range.
Obama is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Dratchev takes a jab right on the kisser.

It looks like Surkho Dratchev has been cut.
Dratchev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Obama is able to avoid easily.
Obama misses with a left hand
and Dratchev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dratchev throws a low kick, looking for Obama's leg but Obama calmly moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dratchev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Obama counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Obama is looking to clinch.
A punch combination from Dratchev misses.
Dratchev throws a shot from downtown. Obama moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Dratchev.
Obama keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dratchev.
Obama appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Dratchev connects with a body shot.
Dratchev throws a right hand that misses
and Obama counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Obama avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Obama displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dratchev throws out the jab.
Obama lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dratchev throws a poor cross that misses
and Obama counters with a leg kick.
Dratchev is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Dratchev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Obama.
Obama swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Obama looks to score with a jab to the body but Dratchev is just out of range.
Dratchev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Dratchev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Obama is looking to clinch but Dratchev is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dratchev misses with a left hand
and Obama connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dratchev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big right from Dratchev misses.
Obama throwing a counter right hand but Dratchev manages to avoid it.

Obama moves into the clinch successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dratchev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Obama after a bit of a struggle.
Dratchev is working for takedown but Obama is calmly controlling the position for now.
Obama tries to throw a body punch but Dratchev avoids it by throwing Obama back against the cage.
Dratchev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Obama gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tom Obama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Surkho Dratchev.
Dratchev tries for a takedown. No joy.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Obama.
Good body shot from Obama.
Obama lands a hook to the side of the head.
Obama lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A hook to the body from Obama.
Obama lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Obama.
Obama is working Dratchev over against the cage.
Obama lands with a right to the head.
Obama scores with a hook to the body.
Obama misses with a hook to the ribs.
Obama lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
Obama lands with a short shot to the head.
Obama pushes Dratchev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Dratchev is rocked!
Obama misses with a body punch.
Dratchev is still on wobbly legs! Can Obama finish him?
Obama misses with a hook to the ribs.
Dratchev seems to have recovered his senses.
Obama lands a nice shot to the body.
Obama digs a right hand into Dratchev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dratchev's gas tank.
Obama misses with a hook to the ribs.
Obama misses with a punch to the body.
Obama controlling the action here for a moment.
Obama lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dratchev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obama lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dratchev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Obama gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dratchev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Obama can't find room to land a body shot as Dratchev controls the action.
Dratchev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Obama after a bit of a struggle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Obama digs a right hand into Dratchev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dratchev's gas tank.
Obama lands a body shot.
Obama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
Obama tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dratchev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Obama - that landed with a thud.
Still in the clinch, Obama scores with a nice short uppercut.
Obama gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dratchev.
Obama working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Obama had his way with Surkho Dratchev in that round.
The cut man is working on Surkho Dratchev's cut.
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. And we move into the final round!

Obama fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tom Obama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dratchev tests Obama's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dratchev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Obama was well out of range. Poor timing from Dratchev.
Dratchev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Dratchev.
Dratchev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Dratchev slips a straight right by Obama.
Dratchev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A big right from Obama misses.
Dratchev throws a jab but it's blocked by Obama.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dratchev drops Obama with a nice combination! Dratchev dives into Obama's guard, looking to finish!

Obama is rocked!
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!
Obama keeping moving, preventing Dratchev from controlling successfully.
Oh Obama is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dratchev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Obama seems to have got his legs back now.
Dratchev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dratchev throws an elbow that misses. Obama uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dratchev's guard. Nice move by Obama!

Dratchev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Obama 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.

Dratchev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Obama defends well.
Obama is stalling in the full guard.
Surkho Dratchev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dratchev working for a triangle but Obama defends it easily.
Dratchev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Obama stays in close to Dratchev's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Obama'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.
Dratchev working a defensive guard here.
Obama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Obama has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dratchev is trying to keep Obama in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Obama tries a head kick but it misses.
Despite the aggression on Dratchev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Dratchev looks to throw the jab but Obama is out of range.
Obama tries to clinch there but Dratchev circles away.
Dratchev is looking for the big counter here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dratchev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dratchev misses with a right hand
and Obama counters with a nice body kick.

Obama gets tackled into the cage by Dratchev. Dratchev maintains the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Obama.
Dratchev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Obama cracks Dratchev with a nice body shot.
Dratchev is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A right handed body shot lands from Obama.
Obama lands with a short shot to the head.
A body shot lands from Obama.
Obama makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Obama is working Dratchev over against the cage.
Obama lands a hook that snaps the head of Dratchev backwards.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Obama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Obama misses with a body punch.
Obama lands with a left to the head.
Nice body punch from Obama - that landed with a thud.
Obama lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dratchev.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tom Obama.
I think Obama 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 James Atkins scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 49:46
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Obama!
Tom Obama retains his heavyweight title!
Our winner, Tom Obama, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Surkho Dratchev was interviewed post fight and said 'Pass Vodka. Nostrovia!'.