PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Albert Holopainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Dragunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Albert Holopainen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Andrei Dragunov's chin.

Holopainen
vs
Dragunov

185 cm
19
190 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

190 cm
20
200 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Albert Holopainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrei Dragunov!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dragunov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

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

Dragunov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Holopainen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Holopainen is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Holopainen throws Dragunov to one side and escapes!
Holopainen fails to land with a series of punches.
Dragunov shoots in for a takedown but Holopainen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Dragunov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Holopainen prevents Dragunov from moving into mount.
The referee asks Dragunov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Dragunov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Holopainen tries to buck Dragunov off but Dragunov is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragunov working away.
Holopainen tries to bench press Dragunov off him but Dragunov keeps the position.
Dragunov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Holopainen's legs.
Dragunov controls the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dragunov shoots for a double leg takedown but Holopainen sprawls well. He's pushed Dragunov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dragunov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Holopainen pinned against the cage. Holopainen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Albert Holopainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Dragunov.
Dragunov looks gassed!

Dragunov gets the takedown into side control.
Holopainen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Dragunov's best efforts.
Holopainen trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holopainen manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Holopainen slaps away a takedown attempt from Dragunov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dragunov shoots in for a double leg but Holopainen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Holopainen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Holopainen trying to control the position.
Holopainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dragunov on the ground.
Holopainen wants to sweep but no luck.
Dragunov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dragunov preventing the sweep.
Dragunov is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holopainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Holopainen keeping moving, preventing Dragunov from controlling successfully.
Holopainen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dragunov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holopainen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Holopainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Dragunov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Horrible takedown by Dragunov or perhaps it was just good defense by Holopainen which made him look bad.
Holopainen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Holopainen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Holopainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dragunov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

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.

Holopainen has closed the distance and engaged Dragunov in a clinch.

Holopainen works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Dragunov wants to sweep here but Holopainen controlling him for the moment.
Dragunov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dragunov keeping moving, preventing Holopainen from controlling successfully.
Holopainen tries to stand but Dragunov is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Dragunov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Holopainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dragunov manages to avoid it.
Dragunov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holopainen circles away.

Dragunov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Holopainen napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Holopainen is trying to control Dragunov's posture but Dragunov avoids it.

Dragunov has hold of Holopainen's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Holopainen tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Dragunov cranks the arm and Holopainen screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Holopainen, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Andrei Dragunov!