PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dragos Podgaetschii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dragos Podgaetschii has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Podgaetschii
vs
Edwards

225 cm
29
142 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

167 cm
25
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dragos Podgaetschii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Edwards!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edwards gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Podgaetschii counters with a single leg into guard. Edwards didn't expect that.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Edwards wants to stand but Podgaetschii is controlling the position.
Edwards is wriggling around but Podgaetschii manages to pass to half guard.
Podgaetschii prevents Edwards from standing back up.
We've been hearing good reports from Podgaetschii's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Podgaetschii with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Edwards is trying to stand back up but Podgaetschii is controlling him
Edwards is staying active underneath Podgaetschii, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Edwards is trying to stand back up but Podgaetschii is controlling him
Edwards is in trouble now - Podgaetschii has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Podgaetschii is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Podgaetschii is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Podgaetschii lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Podgaetschii wants to control the pace but Edwards is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Podgaetschii controlling the pace for now.
Edwards in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Edwards is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Podgaetschii controlling from mount.
Edwards is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Edwards looks winded!

Podgaetschii is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Edwards has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Edwards!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Podgaetschii pulls Edwards in close to his closed guard and prevents Edwards from doing any damage or advancing position.
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.

Edwards drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Podgaetschii dives on top into guard.
Podgaetschii passes Edwards's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Podgaetschii is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Edwards is trying to stand.
Edwards is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Podgaetschii is trying to control. Edwards wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Podgaetschii is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii is controlling the pace.

Podgaetschii is trying to work for a kimura but Edwards is defending well.
Podgaetschii is taking a breather. Edwards says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Podgaetschii will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Podgaetschii is looking for a kimura but Edwards is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Podgaetschii to get the leverage.

Podgaetschii wants to work for an arm triangle but Edwards is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Edwards is looking to escape.
Podgaetschii wants to control but Edwards is keeping him busy.
Podgaetschii scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii trying to control the action but Edwards is working from the bottom.
Edwards looks like he's trying to stand up.
Podgaetschii content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Podgaetschii is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Podgaetschii looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Podgaetschii controlling the action here.
Edwards tries to kick Podgaetschii off but Podgaetschii keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dragos Podgaetschii dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Edwards with a lazy takedown attempt

and Podgaetschii counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Podgaetschii.
Podgaetschii distracts Edwards with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Edwards is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Podgaetschii is controlling him.
Podgaetschii is pushing down on Edwards's leg trying to pass to half guard. Edwards is fighting to maintain full guard but Podgaetschii has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Podgaetschii is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Edwards wants to get back to his feet.
Podgaetschii is taking a breather. Edwards says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Edwards looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Edwards tries to kick Podgaetschii off in order to stand up. Podgaetschii Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Podgaetschii lands some shots froms side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Podgaetschii looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Edwards is breathing heavily.
Edwards wants to get back to his feet but Podgaetschii drags him back down.
Podgaetschii wants to control but Edwards is keeping him busy.

Podgaetschii is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Edwards has escaped the position, nice work there.

Podgaetschii tries for a kimura but Edwards is defending well.
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.
Edwards wants to get back to his feet but Podgaetschii drags him back down.
Podgaetschii happy to just control the position for now.
Podgaetschii moves into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Podgaetschii stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Edwards tries to keep at a distance but Podgaetschii has taken the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Edwards is trying to drag Podgaetschii to the mat but Podgaetschii just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Edwards being controlled against the cage.
Edwards drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Podgaetschii gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dragos Podgaetschii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Edwards.
Edwards wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii has Edwards pushed against the cage.
Edwards is looking for a takedown.

Podgaetschii jumps into guard, dragging Edwards to the mat.
Podgaetschii wants to stand up but Edwards is controlling him.
Podgaetschii looking to control.

Podgaetschii has his feet on Edwards's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Podgaetschii is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Edwards can do to turn this around?

Excellent takedown into side control there by Edwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii can't do much from the bottom here.
Podgaetschii manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Dragos Podgaetschii overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Podgaetschii working the head and body with strikes.
Podgaetschii scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Edwards is in trouble now - Podgaetschii has advanced to mount!
Podgaetschii controlling his opponent.
Edwards wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Podgaetschii working the ground and pound effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dragos Podgaetschii dominated that second round.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Edwards with a poor takedown
and Podgaetschii counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Podgaetschii has closed the distance and engaged Edwards in a clinch.
Edwards is trying to drag Podgaetschii to the mat but Podgaetschii just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Podgaetschii cracks Edwards with a nice body shot.
Edwards goes for a takedown in the clinch but Podgaetschii prevents it.
Dragos Podgaetschii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Edwards.
Podgaetschii gets underhooks to prevent Edwards's takedown attempt.
Podgaetschii just leaning against Edwards, taking a breather.

Podgaetschii has hold of one of Edwards's legs. Edwards is fighting the takedown attempt but Podgaetschii gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Edwards takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Podgaetschii is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Edwards wants to stand and escape but Podgaetschii is having none of it.
Podgaetschii is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards wants to stand but Podgaetschii is controlling the position.
Podgaetschii working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Edwards's head.
Podgaetschii is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Podgaetschii seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Edwards for as long as he can get away with.

Dragos Podgaetschii has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Edwards gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Podgaetschii counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Podgaetschii closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Podgaetschii.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podgaetschii displaying some good clinch control by pressing Edwards up against the cage.
Edwards wants to take the fight to the mat but Podgaetschii manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Edwards is fighting off a takedown attempt but Podgaetschii is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Edwards to the mat. Edwards regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Podgaetschii slips nicely into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Podgaetschii slows the pace down in half guard.
Podgaetschii slips a nice elbow through Edwards's hands, connecting with Edwards's forehead.
Well, if Podgaetschii is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Podgaetschii is looking for a kimura but Edwards is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Podgaetschii to get the leverage.
Podgaetschii stops Edwards from getting back to his feet.
Podgaetschii has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Podgaetschii is looking for a kimura but Edwards is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Podgaetschii to get the leverage.

Podgaetschii has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Edwards defend it? Podgaetschii steps over the head and cranks it - Edwards is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Podgaetschii!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Dragos Podgaetschii!
After winning the bout, Dragos Podgaetschii thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.