PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Ryan (ranked 872 p4p, 1191 weight class) and Doko Dokov (ranked 126 p4p, 173 weight class). Doko Dokov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ryan
vs
Dokov

180 cm
26
168
13 - 8 - 0

178 cm
37
170
23 - 38 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Eddie Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 38 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Doko Dokov!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dokov clinches up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ryan.
Ryan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ryan lands a nice uppercut.
Come on Ryan - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Dokov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ryan tries to throw a body punch but Dokov avoids it by throwing Ryan back against the cage.
Ryan lands a body shot.
Ryan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ryan has hold of one of Dokov's legs. Dokov is fighting the takedown attempt but Ryan gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Dokov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ryan off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ryan throws the left hand but Dokov avoids the punch easily.

Dokov pushes Ryan up against the cage in a clinch.
Ryan avoids the elbow strike from Dokov, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Ryan.
Dokov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dokov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ryan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dokov misses with a wild combination.
Ryan seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Dokov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ryan keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

It looks like Doko Dokov has been cut.
Ryan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Dokov counters with a two punch combo.
Ryan misses with a straight right.
A cross from Ryan lands.

Ryan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dokov blocks a body shot from Ryan.
A right hook to the body lands for Dokov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryan blocks an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dokov blocks an uppercut.

Dokov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dokov moves into the clinch.
Ryan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dokov backwards.

Ryan lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Dokov tries to kick Ryan off in order to stand up. Ryan Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Dokov is pushing Ryan's head away, looking to escape. Ryan manages to hold on to the position though.
Dokov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ryan works his way into side control.
Dokov is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Ryan is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dokov tries to buck Ryan off but he can't manage it.
Ryan tries to control but Dokov wriggling away.
Ryan prevents Dokov from getting the reversal.
Dokov tries to buck Ryan off but Ryan takes his back!

Dokov showing good submission defense here.

Dokov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Ryan gets his way!
Ryan not allowing Dokov to control his hands.
Dokov wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Dokov's body.
Ryan trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ryan has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Dokov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Dokov can't escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Ryan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Doko Dokov's cut.
That's time! Ryan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ryan with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Dokov moves into range and clinches up with Ryan.

Dokov pulls guard successfully.

Dokov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ryan defends it easily.
Dokov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Dokov keeping moving, preventing Ryan from controlling successfully.
Dokov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dokov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Dokov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Dokov pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Eddie Ryan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ryan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dokov is struggling to control the position.
Ryan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ryan blocking some punches.

Dokov breaks the clinch.
Ryan throws a series of strikes that have Dokov backpedaling.
Ryan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dokov was well out of range. Poor timing from Ryan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dokov shoots and misses
and Ryan counters with a straight right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dokov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ryan cracks Dokov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Dokov throws a one two combo.
Dokov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dokov misses with a takedown
and Ryan counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dokov tries to clinch there but Ryan circles away.
Dokov tries to clinch but Ryan moves away
and Ryan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dokov moves in looking to clinch but Ryan pushes him off.
Decent striking displayed by Ryan there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dokov tries to clinch but Ryan moves out of range.
Dokov moves out of range of the strikes.

Dokov darts in and clinches Ryan up against the cage.

Ryan is trying to trip Dokov. He has hold of a leg but Dokov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ryan persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Ryan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ryan advances to full mount.
Dokov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Dokov is trying to stand.
Dokov moves into full guard.
Dokov keeping moving, preventing Ryan from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dokov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Dokov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Dokov wants to stand but Ryan is controlling his posture from full guard.

Ryan is working an open guard so Dokov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ryan swats away the attempt to clinch by Dokov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ryan throws out a powerful jab.
Doko Dokov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dokov tries to clinch up
and Ryan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Eddie Ryan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Doko Dokov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ryan gets a takedown into half guard.
Dokov is looking to get back to is feet but Ryan passes into side control.

Ryan thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ryan moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Dokov is trying to control Ryan's posture but Ryan avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dokov tries to buck Ryan off but Ryan is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dokov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Ryan looks to land a right hand but Dokov moved out of range.

Dokov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Dokov is trying to ground and pound but Ryan uses the momentary lack of control by Dokov to regain half guard.
Ryan trying to control but Dokov postures up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Dokov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ryan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Doko Dokov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ryan wants to sweep but no luck.

Dokov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Dokov shoots in looking for a takedown but Ryan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dokov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ryan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ryan throws a looping overhand right but Dokov ducks down to avoid it.
Dokov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ryan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ryan drives through with a takedown into Dokov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Dokov wants to get back to his feet but Ryan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ryan trying to control the position from guard on top but Dokov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dokov wants to get back to his feet but Ryan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Doko Dokov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryan passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

Ryan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ryan not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dokov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ryan pulls his head out easily.
Ryan is looking to take a break and control but Dokov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dokov gets back to full guard.
Dokov wants to stand but Ryan is controlling the position.
Ryan stopping the sweep attempt from Dokov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Dokov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ryan has passed into half guard!

Dokov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dokov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ryan is looking to advance position but Dokov won't allow it.
Eddie Ryan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dokov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ryan.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dokov looking for submissions off his back.

Dokov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ryan pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie Ryan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ryan, 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Ryan!
Eddie Ryan seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.