PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Dragunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Sorokin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sorokin has chosen "Black BMW" by Seryoga as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Dragunov
vs
Sorokin

185 cm
18
192 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

172 cm
21
191 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Dark Storm Performance
Drago's Choice

Drago's Choice

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Dragunov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Sorokin!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Dragunov or perhaps it was just good defense by Sorokin which made him look bad.
Sorokin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Dragunov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sorokin circles away.
Dragunov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sorokin paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Dragunov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dragunov lands in his opponent's guard.
Dragunov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sorokin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Dragunov drops back looking for a leg! Sorokin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sorokin manages to kick Dragunov off! Dragunov jumps back into Sorokin's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sorokin is trying to keep Dragunov in close.
Dragunov advances position into side control!
Sorokin is looking to regain half guard here but Dragunov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragunov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Sorokin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dragunov tries to score with some ground and pound. Sorokin controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Dragunov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sorokin, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sorokin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dragunov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sorokin gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Sorokin tries to buck Dragunov off but he can't manage it.

Dragunov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Dragunov is breathing heavily.

Dragunov is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Sorokin moves out of range of the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Sorokin.
Sorokin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dragunov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sorokin cracks the inside of Dragunov's front leg.
Sorokin scoring well with a low kick there.
Dragunov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dragunov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sorokin lunges at Dragunov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Dragunov's hand.
Sorokin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Sorokin gets a clinch.
Dragunov wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Dragunov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dragunov goes for a takedown attempt but Sorokin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sorokin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Sorokin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sorokin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sorokin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dragunov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sorokin working over Dragunov with some ground and pound. Dragunov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Dragunov looking for submissions off his back.
Sorokin scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Dragunov is pressing down on Sorokin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Dragunov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Dragunov is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Sorokin frees his head nicely. Oh but Dragunov has switched to an armbar! Sorokin is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Ivan Dragunov!
Ivan Dragunov is the new middleweight champion!