PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dragos Podgaetschii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevens has chosen Can't Hold Us as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Podgaetschii
vs
Stevens

225 cm
28
142 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

175 cm
26
135 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Pirates Powder

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dragos Podgaetschii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Victor Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Podgaetschii closes the distance and clinches.

Podgaetschii pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Podgaetschii ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
A slow jab from Stevens misses its intended target.

Stevens shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Podgaetschii bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stevens's guard.
Podgaetschii looking to pass the guard.
Stevens wants to stand up but Podgaetschii is controlling him.
Podgaetschii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but Podgaetschii is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Podgaetschii 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is trying to keep Podgaetschii in close.
Podgaetschii trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Podgaetschii.
Podgaetschii trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Podgaetschii pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stevens is keeping the position for now.
Podgaetschii slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Podgaetschii will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Podgaetschii shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevens defends it nicely.
Stevens throws a head kick but Podgaetschii moves out of range.
Stevens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Stevens rushes Podgaetschii and presses him up against the cage.
Stevens stalling in the clinch but Podgaetschii improves position.
Podgaetschii blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Podgaetschii really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Podgaetschii is looking to take this one to the mat.
Podgaetschii on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Podgaetschii jumps into guard, dragging Stevens to the mat.
Podgaetschii pulls Stevens in to control the position.

Podgaetschii is looking for a triangle but Stevens pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Podgaetschii keeps moving.
Podgaetschii is adopting a defensive guard.

Podgaetschii looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stevens slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Podgaetschii is trying to control Stevens's posture but Stevens avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii sneaks back into half guard.
Podgaetschii gets full guard.
Stevens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Podgaetschii swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Podgaetschii wants to hit a switch here but Stevens passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Podgaetschii there!
Podgaetschii is desperately trying to improve his position but Stevens has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dragos Podgaetschii dominated that round.
That's time! Podgaetschii's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Horrible takedown by Podgaetschii or perhaps it was just good defense by Stevens which made him look bad.

Podgaetschii fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stevens, pushing him back against the cage.
Podgaetschii lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Podgaetschii is looking to take this one to the mat.

Stevens jumps into guard, dragging Podgaetschii to the mat.
Podgaetschii wants to pass the guard but Stevens is keeping the position.
Podgaetschii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Podgaetschii trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Stevens wants to control the position but Podgaetschii says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Stevens is looking for a sweep. Podgaetschii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is trying to escape back to his feet but Podgaetschii uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Stevens managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Podgaetschii.
Podgaetschii wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stevens keeps working.
Podgaetschii advances to mount.
Dragos Podgaetschii overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Podgaetschii content just to control the position here.
Podgaetschii trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii controlling the position easily from mount.
Stevens taking shots to the head.
Podgaetschii looking to finish with strikes here!
Stevens wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii landing strikes, looking to finish!

Podgaetschii goes for an armbar but Stevens turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Stevens.
Podgaetschii trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Podgaetschii looking for a guillotine here but Stevens defends easily.
Podgaetschii has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Stevens has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens tries to stand but Podgaetschii is controlling his head.
Podgaetschii tries to bench press Stevens off him but Stevens keeps the position.
Podgaetschii is trying to work for a sweep but Stevens has mounted him!
Stevens can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Podgaetschii is looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Podgaetschii tries to hold on but Stevens postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dragos Podgaetschii dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Podgaetschii wants to clinch.
Podgaetschii tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stevens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Podgaetschii wants to clinch.
Podgaetschii tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stevens paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Stevens tries to keep at a distance but Podgaetschii has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Podgaetschii's elbow.

Podgaetschii jumps into guard, dragging Stevens to the mat.
Podgaetschii is adopting a defensive guard.
Stevens wants to stand and escape but instead Podgaetschii has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but Podgaetschii is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Podgaetschii trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.

Podgaetschii drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stevens dives on top into guard.

Stevens drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Podgaetschii manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Stevens has Podgaetschii in his guard.
Stevens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Podgaetschii working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Stevens wants to stand and escape but Podgaetschii is having none of it.
Podgaetschii sitting in guard here, content to control.
Podgaetschii is working Stevens over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Victor Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Podgaetschii working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Podgaetschii trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii throws a strike but Stevens rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Stevens postures up in Podgaetschii's guard and throws a big left but Podgaetschii blocks it.
Dragos Podgaetschii is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Podgaetschii seems keen to control Stevens's posture.
Podgaetschii is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Podgaetschii is working hard here to advance position.
Podgaetschii has a closed guard, preventing Stevens from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens being controlled here momentarily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Podgaetschii tries to clinch but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dragos Podgaetschii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stevens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevens misses with a jab, cross combination.

Podgaetschii clinches with his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Podgaetschii lands an uppercut.

Podgaetschii pulls Stevens into guard.
Podgaetschii manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevens manages to get himself to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dragos Podgaetschii showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Podgaetschii has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dragos Podgaetschii!
Dragos Podgaetschii decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.