PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Morre Diabo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Diabo
vs
Drago

210 cm
22
270 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

208 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Morre Diabo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Drago!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Drago feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Diabo looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Diabo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Drago is aware though and is defending well.
Drago throws a big right hand that misses.
Drago trying to stand up but can't free himself from Diabo's guard.
Drago is stalling in the full guard.
Drago trying to control the position from guard on top but Diabo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Drago sitting in guard here, content to control.
I looks like Drago might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago trying to control the position from guard on top but Diabo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diabo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Diabo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Drago defends well.
Drago sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ivan Drago.
Drago tries a head kick but it misses.

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.

Drago has closed the distance and engaged Diabo in a clinch.
Drago tries for a takedown. No joy.

Drago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Drago darts in and clinches Diabo up against the cage.

Drago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Drago moves into the clinch.

Drago jumps guard.

Diabo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Drago looking for a sweep. Not yet Drago, not yet.
Drago keeping moving, preventing Diabo from controlling successfully.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diabo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Drago works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Diabo wants to control from the top but Drago keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Drago can do anything to dispel that myth.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Drago holds on and takes a little breather.
Diabo looking to pass the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Drago rushes Diabo and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Drago stalls.

Drago drags the fight down to the ground.
Drago really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diabo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Diabo trying to control but Drago is working from the bottom.
Diabo passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Diabo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Drago prevents Diabo from moving into mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Drago dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Drago shoots in and bounces Diabo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Drago is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Drago stands up over Diabo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Diabo keeping full guard, as Drago tries to pass.
Drago's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Drago wants to get up but he can't break Diabo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Diabo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Diabo is looking for a triangle but Drago pushes his legs off easily.

Drago thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Drago pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diabo is keeping the position for now.
Drago must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Drago wants to stand but Diabo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Diabo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Drago working some strikes from top position.
Diabo is trying to keep Drago in close.
Diabo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Drago controls the pace.
Diabo looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck for Drago with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diabo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Drago shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diabo as he jumps to the side.
Morre Diabo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diabo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Drago.
Diabo slaps away a takedown attempt from Drago, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Morre Diabo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Drago.
Drago shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drago throws a head kick but Diabo moves out of range.
Diabo misses with a head kick.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt

and Drago moves into the clinch.

That's four 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.
Drago tries to circle away but Diabo has him pinned against the cage.
Diabo being controlled against the cage.
Diabo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Drago fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Diabo shoots in but Drago avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diabo fails with a takedown attempt.

Drago has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Drago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Diabo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Diabo blocks a head kick by Drago.
Diabo tries to clinch up

and Drago moves into the clinch.
Drago tries for a takedown but Diabo manages to get underhooks.
Diabo can't break the clinch.

Drago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Diabo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drago moves away.
Diabo looks to clinch

and Drago counters by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diabo working aggressively here.
Drago misses with an elbow over the top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Drago misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Diabo.

Drago jumps guard.

Drago is looking for a triangle but Diabo pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diabo is pushing down on Drago's leg trying to pass to half guard. Drago is fighting to maintain full guard but Diabo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Drago looks like he's trying to stand up.
Diabo is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The referee warns Drago that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Diabo trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two 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.
Diabo is really struggling to control Drago but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Drago is trying to reverse the position but instead Diabo has taken his back - oops!
Drago trying to control but not successfully.
Diabo is looking to control Drago but Drago is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drago showing good submission defense here.
Drago wants to get back to his feet.
Diabo is looking to control Drago but Drago is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Drago has hold of Diabo's leg, trying to break free but it's let Diabo lock up a rear naked choke! This could be big trouble! Drago is turning an unusual color here… he's out! Diabo throws him to one side and jumps onto the cage to celebrate with his fans.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Morre Diabo!