PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Natsu Dragneel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darwin France (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). France has chosen bring me to life as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Natsu Dragneel could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Darwin France's chin.

Dragneel
vs
France

170 cm
29
153 lbs
12 - 1 - 2

185 cm
31
158 lbs
31 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)
KnockOut

Urban Fighter
Project Mayhem

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Natsu Dragneel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darwin France!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
France has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Dragneel.
France checks a leg kick nicely.
France is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've been told by Dragneel's head coaches at Furia Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
France scores with a hook.
France fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dragneel manages to avoid it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from France, right into the meat.
Dragneel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from France.
Dragneel wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
France closes the distance and clinches up with Dragneel, looking for a takedown. France pushes Dragneel against the cage but Dragneel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
France has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

France drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
France with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dragneel keeping full guard, as France tries to pass.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dragneel holds on and takes a little breather.
France throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragneel controlling the position.
France missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
France looking to pass the guard.
France slips nicely into half guard.

France looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Dragneel is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

France is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dragneel sees it coming and defends easily.

France is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
France sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dragneel defending well though.
Dragneel trying to control here.
France trying to mount his opponent but Dragneel defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel blocking the ground and pound attempt from France.
France tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dragneel knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
France lands a head shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dragneel.
Dragneel lands a nice leg kick that just misses France's sensitive parts.
France cracks Dragneel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Dragneel moves away from the strike by France.
France scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The fighters circle momentarily. France darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
France keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dragneel.
France throws out a loose jab but Dragneel uses good head movement to avoid it.
France blocks the body kick.
Natsu Dragneel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dragneel lands a jab to the nose.
Dragneel throws a head kick that misses

and France counters with a single leg into guard. Dragneel didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
France loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dragneel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dragneel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dragneel keeping moving, preventing France from controlling successfully.
Dragneel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from France.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darwin France dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dragneel with a body punch. A glancing blow.
France staying out of range there.
France drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Dragneel defends it well.
France avoids a kick to the body.
Dragneel feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to France's calf.
Dragneel misses with a looping left.
France feints the counter takedown.
France blocks a leg kick.
France has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
France misses the body punch
and Dragneel counters with a slapping leg kick.
Dragneel throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

France bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Dragneel defending against the ground and pound.
France is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Dragneel wants to control but France postures up.

France swings around for an armbar but Dragneel sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into France's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

France looking for a guillotine here but Dragneel defends easily.
France manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dragneel manages to get himself to full guard.

France looking to pass the guard.
France trying to control the position from guard on top but Dragneel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
France might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Dragneel haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dragneel controls France momentarily but France frees himself.
Dragneel is pulling down on France's head to control his posture.
France trying to control but Dragneel is working from the bottom.
France trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
France wants to control from the top but Dragneel keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dragneel working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
France stands and throws Dragneel's legs to the side, diving into side control.

France goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Dragneel has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for France but great work by Dragneel.
France is looking to regain half guard here but Dragneel keeps moving and retains side control.
France looking for a sweep but Dragneel has passed into full mount! Oh no!
France flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Dragneel avoids the attempt from France to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
France is in all sorts of trouble here.
France wants to control but Dragneel is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dragneel controlling from the full mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Natsu Dragneel dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dragneel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Natsu Dragneel is winning the standup battle so far.
Dragneel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Dragneel misses with a body kick.
Dragneel walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A slapping leg kick lands for France.
France missing with a left hand there. Dragneel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
France blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragneel moves out of range of the strikes.
Dragneel lands a nice shot that snaps France's head back.

It looks like Darwin France has been cut.
France has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
France scores with a hook.
France throws the left hand but Dragneel avoids the punch easily.
Dragneel with a nice cross.
Dragneel takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Dragneel swings widly with a right hand

and France counters with a single leg into guard. Dragneel didn't expect that.
Dragneel keeping full guard, as France tries to pass.
Dragneel working a defensive guard here.
Dragneel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
France is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
France regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
France has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Dragneel has passed into side control.
France is looking to regain half guard here but Dragneel keeps moving and retains side control.
France gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel sitting and controlling from the half guard.
France is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
France gets full guard.
Dragneel trying to control the position from guard on top but France is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

France is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dragneel is aware though and is defending well.

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.
France trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Dragneel might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dragneel wants to control from the top but France keeps moving.
Dragneel won't allow France to sweep him here.
Dragneel not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dragneel throws a head kick that misses.
France scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
France cracks Dragneel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dragneel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
France shoots in and drives through. Dragneel sprawls well.
Dragneel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on France. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darwin France really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Darwin France's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

France throws a head kick but Dragneel moves out of range.
Dragneel throws a wild body kick that France sees coming a mile off.
Dragneel takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Dragneel lands a jab.
France cracks Dragneel with a right hand to the side of the head.
Dragneel tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragneel misses with a kick to the body.
France lands a glancing blow to the side of Dragneel's head.
A low kick from Dragneel misses

and France counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by France.
France sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dragneel's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

France is working for a kimura but Dragneel is defending it quite comfortably.

France is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Dragneel still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Dragneel has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
France manages to get back to half guard.
France manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

France is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dragneel defends well.
Dragneel has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dragneel trying to control but France is working from the bottom.

France has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dragneel can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dragneel is pushing down on France's leg trying to pass to half guard. France is fighting to maintain full guard but Dragneel has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel sitting and controlling from the half guard.
France slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dragneel trying to control the position from guard on top but France is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

France is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Dragneel stopping the sweep attempt from France.

That's four 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.

France looking for subs off his back but Dragneel has passed one foot through into half guard.
France is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darwin France dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Darwin France's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab from France does it's job there.
Nice body kick from Dragneel.
France's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dragneel scores with a jab to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Dragneel as he connects with a hook.
France defending well as Dragneel loads up on a big left hand.
France with the counter takedown but Dragneel avoids it easily.
Dragneel scores with a jab to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dragneel.
Dragneel is looking to slow France down with leg kicks.
France dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
France fakes the leg kick and cracks Dragneel in the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
France moves out of range of the body kick from Dragneel.
France connects with a leg kick. Dragneel looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Dragneel throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dragneel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
France blocks the body kick.
France looks to land a body kick but Dragneel moved away.
Dragneel cracks the inside of France's front leg.
France has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dragneel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
France throws a wild body kick that Dragneel sees coming a mile off.
France lands with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
France lands a nice shot to the body.
France lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dragneel circles away quickly and effectively.
A bone on bone clash there as Dragneel blocks the leg kick.
Dragneel fakes the leg kick and cracks France in the body.
A lazy body kick from Dragneel

and France counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Darwin France has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dragneel keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dragneel tries to get to full guard but France has control of the leg.
Natsu Dragneel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
France thows a huge punch but Dragneel dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel is looking to improve his position.
Dragneel keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Dragneel tries to roll over but France keeps him under control.
Dragneel blocking the ground and pound attempt from France.
France tries to pass to full mount but Dragneel defends it.

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

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

France is working for a submission of some sort.
France sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dragneel defending well though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Dragneel. France shrugs it off though.
Dragneel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Darwin France is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
France keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Natsu Dragneel.
I think France has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darwin France!
Darwin France is the new featherweight champion!
A relieved looking Darwin France thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.