PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Thorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Dragunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorn comes to the cage accompanied by Thunder Kiss '65. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thorn
vs
Dragunov

180 cm
25
185 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

190 cm
22
193 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenny Thorn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrei Dragunov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dragunov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dragunov shoots in for a takedown but Thorn shows good takedown defense.

Thorn drives through with a takedown into guard.
Thorn won't allow Dragunov to sweep him here.

Thorn is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Dragunov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Thorn is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Dragunov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Dragunov has escaped and now he's on top!
Dragunov trying to control but Thorn is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Thorn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dragunov passes into half guard.

Dragunov wants to work for an arm triangle but Thorn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Dragunov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thorn is not content to let Dragunov control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Dragunov is looking for a kimura here.
Dragunov looks gassed!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dragunov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Thorn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dragunov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thorn is looking to escape.
Thorn is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn is working hard here to advance position.

Dragunov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Thorn has worked his arm free - good work by Thorn!
Dragunov controls the position.
Thorn is trying to get back to half guard.

Dragunov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dragunov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dragunov laying and praying for a moment but Thorn takes advantage and regains half guard.

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.
Dragunov uses his free foot to push down on Thorn's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Thorn.
Thorn is desperately trying to improve his position but Dragunov has a good base and remains in mount.

Dragunov swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Thorn is now in Dragunov's guard. A big mistake from Dragunov there, giving up the dominant position!
Dragunov trying to keep a closed guard but Thorn is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thorn is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kenny Thorn will probably get the nod.
That's time! Thorn's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Dragunov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Thorn counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Thorn is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dragunov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thorn.

Thorn is working for a kimura but Dragunov is defending it quite comfortably.

Thorn is looking for a kimura but Dragunov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thorn to get the leverage.
Dragunov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dragunov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thorn is one step ahead there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Thorn is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Dragunov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Dragunov has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov wants to pass the guard but Thorn is keeping the position.
Dragunov wants to control from the top but Thorn keeps moving.
Dragunov passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Dragunov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thorn has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thorn is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Dragunov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thorn is looking for a sweep.
Thorn prevents Dragunov from moving into mount.

Dragunov swings around for an armbar but Thorn sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Dragunov's guard.
Dragunov looking to control.

Thorn drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Thorn jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Thorn drops back looking for a leg! Dragunov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dragunov manages to kick Thorn off! Thorn jumps back into Dragunov's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dragunov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Thorn drops back looking for a leg! Dragunov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dragunov manages to kick Thorn off! Thorn jumps back into Dragunov's guard.
Thorn stopping the sweep attempt from Dragunov.

Thorn thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Thorn drops back, looking for a kneebar! Dragunov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Dragunov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Dragunov!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Dragunov swings around for an armbar but Thorn sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Dragunov's guard.
Dragunov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

Thorn working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dragunov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dragunov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dragunov pushing down on Thorn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andrei Dragunov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dragunov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Thorn was covering up waiting for the punch and Dragunov finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Thorn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dragunov looking to pass the guard.
Dragunov trying to control but Thorn is working from the bottom.

Thorn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dragunov is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov passes Thorn's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Dragunov trying to control from half guard but Thorn is working away.
Dragunov wants to pass to mount but Thorn is defending the position.
Dragunov works his way into full mount!
Andrei Dragunov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Dragunov goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Thorn turns into him and now he's in Dragunov's guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dragunov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Thorn looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Thorn looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Thorn!
Thorn has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Dragunov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Dragunov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Thorn is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorn seems to be working for a kimura but Dragunov defends the submission attempt.
Dragunov gets back to full guard.

Dragunov is working to tighten is grip on Thorn's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Thorn has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Dragunov is really squeezing tight and eventually Thorn passes out! Dragunov breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Andrei Dragunov!
Andrei Dragunov is the new middleweight champion!