PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Drago (ranked 2907 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marc Ziegler (ranked 3578 p4p, 0 weight class). Ziegler has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. This should be fireworks!

Drago
vs
Ziegler

200 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ivan Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marc Ziegler!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziegler is looking to clinch.
Drago feinted with a counter takedown.
Marc Ziegler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziegler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drago feinted with a counter takedown.
Ziegler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ziegler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Drago half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Drago keeps the fight on the outside.
Ziegler fails in his attempt to clinch.

Drago tries to keep at a distance but Ziegler has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short left from Ziegler.
Ziegler looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ziegler swings wildly with an uppercut but Drago uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ziegler fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Ziegler clinches up with Drago and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziegler softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ziegler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ziegler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ziegler misses with some punches.
Ziegler working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Drago wants a takedown but no success here.
Drago has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ziegler after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Drago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ziegler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Drago tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ziegler has a couple of punches blocked by Drago.
Ziegler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ziegler has a couple of punches blocked by Drago.
Ziegler swings wildly with an uppercut but Drago uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ziegler fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Drago drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ziegler pulls his leg out and moves away.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ziegler tries to clinch

and Drago counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Drago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ziegler defending well though.
Drago working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ziegler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drago.
Drago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Drago missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ziegler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ziegler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Drago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ziegler really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Drago. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Drago working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Drago is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ziegler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drago.
Ziegler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Drago.
Ziegler looks winded!
Ziegler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drago.
Ziegler tries to kick Drago off but Drago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Drago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago thows a huge punch but Ziegler dodges it nicely.
Ziegler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ziegler keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Drago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Drago is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ziegler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Drago.
Drago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Drago throwing shots but Ziegler is blocking nicely.
Drago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Drago thows a huge punch but Ziegler dodges it nicely.
Ziegler is looking to escape.
Drago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Drago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Drago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ziegler defending well though.
Ziegler looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ziegler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Drago missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ziegler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Drago.
Drago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ziegler's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago thows a huge punch but Ziegler dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Drago.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Drago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Drago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
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 avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ziegler tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.
Drago changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Ziegler has closed the distance and engaged Drago in a clinch.
Drago goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ziegler prevents it.
Ziegler working aggressively here.
Drago is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ziegler pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Drago has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ziegler after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Drago. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Drago gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Drago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ziegler defending well though.
Ziegler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Drago.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziegler looks like he's trying to stand up.
Drago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ziegler is looking for a sweep. Drago is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziegler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ziegler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ziegler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drago.
Drago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Drago looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Drago throwing shots but Ziegler is blocking nicely.
Drago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ziegler trying to control but Drago postures up.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ziegler's head.
Ziegler is trying to get back to full guard.
Drago is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ziegler can do to turn this around?
Drago missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ziegler can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ziegler with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ziegler is looking for a sweep. Drago is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ziegler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ziegler trying to hold on to Drago's head to control him but Drago postures up.
Drago missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ziegler trying to control from the bottom.
Ziegler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Drago.
Drago missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ivan Drago overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Drago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ziegler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drago.
Drago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Drago missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Drago takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Drago 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.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Drago slips a nice elbow through Ziegler's hands, connecting with Ziegler's forehead.
Drago throwing shots but Ziegler is blocking nicely.
Ziegler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Drago thows a huge punch but Ziegler dodges it nicely.
Drago prevents Ziegler from improving his position.
Drago lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ziegler's head.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Drago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ziegler taking some punishment here, with Drago in his half guard.
Ziegler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ziegler is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Drago scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago throwing shots but Ziegler is blocking nicely.
Drago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ziegler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drago.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Drago winds up and cracks Ziegler with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ziegler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Drago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Drago winds up and cracks Ziegler with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Drago lands with a punch from half guard.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ziegler's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ziegler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Drago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ziegler defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Drago dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ziegler is looking to clinch but Drago is avoiding it.
Ziegler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ziegler tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Drago counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ziegler!
Ziegler takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Drago lands a nice forearm strike.
The ground and pound from Drago seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago cracks Ziegler with a big elbow.
Drago lands a few punches from side control.
Ziegler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Drago tries to score with some ground and pound. Ziegler controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Drago fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Drago scoring with punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago working the ground and pound but Ziegler is defending the strikes.
Drago throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Drago lands a decent elbow from side control.
Ziegler is looking to regain half guard here but Drago keeps moving and retains side control.
Drago tries to score with some ground and pound. Ziegler controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Drago sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ziegler is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Drago lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Ziegler down.
Drago throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Ziegler dodges the ground and pound from Drago.
Drago misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Drago throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Drago throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Drago misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ziegler takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziegler tries to escape but Drago is in control.
Ziegler takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Drago working the ground and pound.
Drago landing a few strikes.
Ziegler defending against the ground and pound.
Drago lands a decent elbow from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ziegler is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Drago creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ziegler sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ziegler is trying to get back to half guard.
Ziegler takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Drago throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago working the head and body with strikes.
Drago misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Drago throws a strike aimed at the side of Ziegler's head but Ziegler avoids it well.
Drago throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Drago lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Ziegler down.
Drago creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ziegler sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ziegler struggling a bit here.
Drago throws an elbow but Ziegler slips to the side and avoids it well.
Drago fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ziegler is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Drago asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Drago misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziegler defending against the ground and pound.
Drago throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Drago in side control, throwing shots but Ziegler defends.
Drago throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Drago tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Drago in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ziegler is looking for a sweep.
Ziegler avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Drago.
Drago lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Ziegler down.
Drago misses with the ground and pound.
Drago throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Drago looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ziegler is avoiding damage well.
Marc Ziegler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ziegler parries the strikes from Drago easily there. Drago is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ziegler to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Drago showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Drago, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:26
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Drago!