PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Wilfred Ainsworth (ranked 106 p4p, 150 weight class) and Radu Dracul (ranked 14 p4p, 21 weight class). Ainsworth's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Fred Neil - Everybody's Talkin'. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ainsworth
vs
Dracul

179 cm
33
185
29 - 12 - 2

190 cm
35
202
32 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Fast

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wilfred Ainsworth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Radu Dracul!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ainsworth throws a shot from downtown. Dracul moves away and avoids it.
Dracul with the counter takedown but Ainsworth avoids it easily.
Ainsworth attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ainsworth throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ainsworth misses with a hook.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Dracul checks a leg kick.
Dracul tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ainsworth changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ainsworth moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ainsworth lands a nice shot to the body.
Dracul has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ainsworth finds it's way round the side to connect with Dracul's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ainsworth cracks Dracul with an open hand slap.
A jab from Ainsworth does it's job there.
Ainsworth turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Ainsworth. Beautiful body shot.
Dracul keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Dracul has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A low kick from Ainsworth misses

so Dracul counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ainsworth is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ainsworth looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dracul is one step ahead there.
Dracul trying to control but Ainsworth is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ainsworth wants to sweep here but Dracul controlling him for the moment.
Ainsworth has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ainsworth not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ainsworth 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.
Ainsworth keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Dracul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ainsworth is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul wants to pass the guard but Ainsworth is keeping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Ainsworth wants to slow Dracul down by chopping away at his legs.
Dracul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ainsworth.
Ainsworth misses with a lunging right hand

and Dracul counters with a shoot takedown. Ainsworth fights it but they end up in guard.
Dracul trying to control but Ainsworth is working from the bottom.
Dracul won't allow Ainsworth to sweep him here.
Ainsworth can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dracul controls the pace.
Dracul stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ainsworth swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ainsworth is trying to control the position but Dracul postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul won't allow Ainsworth to sweep him here.
Dracul trying to control but Ainsworth is working from the bottom.
Ainsworth being controlled here, momentarily.
Ainsworth lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ainsworth throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dracul works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ainsworth looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Dracul looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ainsworth throws out a leg kick but Dracul moves out of range and Ainsworth only half commits.
Ainsworth throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Dracul counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ainsworth won't be happy with that.
Dracul working away.
Ainsworth is looking for a sweep.
Dracul working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dracul looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ainsworth tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dracul wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes there by Dracul.
Ainsworth is looking to reverse the position.
Dracul throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Dracul taking a breather here.
Ainsworth wants to control but Dracul postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ainsworth tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dracul wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ainsworth takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Ainsworth tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dracul is trying to move to mount but Ainsworth reverses beautifully and ends up in Dracul's guard.
Radu Dracul has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ainsworth not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dracul looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ainsworth has picked Dracul up and slammed him! Dracul can't keep hold of the triangle and Ainsworth manages to pass to side control!
Dracul tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ainsworth wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Dracul manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Ainsworth looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ainsworth not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ainsworth.
Dracul works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ainsworth postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ainsworth trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dracul managing to control the position.
Dracul lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Dracul chips away with some ground and pound.
Ainsworth controlling Dracul's posture.
Ainsworth looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ainsworth's head.
Dracul looking to pass the guard.
Dracul must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ainsworth not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dracul passes easily into side control. Nice work.
A lull in the action here as Dracul stalls from top position.
Ainsworth might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ainsworth struggling a bit here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dracul lands a nice forearm strike.
Ainsworth tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Dracul easily slips into full mount!
Ainsworth is looking to get to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Radu Dracul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Ainsworth's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Dracul ducks under a wild hook from Ainsworth.
Dracul drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ainsworth defends it well.
Ainsworth throws a leg kick

and Dracul counters with a single leg into guard. Ainsworth didn't expect that.
Dracul throwing strikes from guard but Ainsworth blocks nicely.
Ainsworth looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dracul is fighting to break Ainsworth's control of his arms but Ainsworth is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Dracul trying to control the position from guard on top but Ainsworth is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ainsworth is trying to keep Dracul in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ainsworth tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ainsworth manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dracul manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Dracul trying to control the position.
Ainsworth wants to control from the top but Dracul keeps moving.
Dracul looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ainsworth is one step ahead there.
Ainsworth wants to pass the guard but Dracul is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Dracul is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ainsworth is aware though and is defending well.
Ainsworth trying to control but Dracul is working from the bottom.
Ainsworth is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Dracul wants to sweep but no luck.
Dracul managing to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ainsworth clobbers Dracul with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ainsworth fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Dracul.
Ainsworth looks to land a left hand but Dracul moved out of range nicely.
Ainsworth throws a leg kick but Dracul sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ainsworth throws a lazy uppercut

and Dracul counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Dracul is looking to take a break and control but Ainsworth is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ainsworth trying to control here.
Ainsworth is pressing down on Dracul's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ainsworth pulls Dracul in close to prevent any damage.
Ainsworth looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ainsworth has control of Dracul's left arm, preventing Dracul from doing any damage.
Ainsworth keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Ainsworth tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ainsworth keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Dracul lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Dracul trying to control but Ainsworth is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Radu Dracul.
I think Dracul 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Radu Dracul!
A very excited looking Radu Dracul made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.