PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Vodkakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Dragonvich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Vodkakov
vs
Dragonvich

206 cm
22
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
275 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Vodkakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Dragonvich!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dragonvich.
Dragonvich shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vodkakov pinned against the cage. Vodkakov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Dragonvich shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vodkakov's guard.

Vodkakov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dragonvich defends it easily.
Vodkakov wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vodkakov is on top in guard.
Vodkakov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vodkakov won't allow Dragonvich to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vodkakov looking to pass the guard.
Vodkakov 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.
Vodkakov throws a big right hand that misses.
Vodkakov looking to pass the guard.
Dragonvich wants to sweep but no luck.
Vodkakov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dragonvich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vodkakov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Vodkakov has a takedown stuffed.
Vodkakov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vodkakov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dragonvich as he jumps to the side.
Vodkakov tries to clinch but Dragonvich moves out of range.
Ivan Dragonvich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two 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.
Dragonvich throws a big shot that misses.
Vodkakov lands with a good body shot.

Vodkakov closes the distance and pushes Dragonvich back into the cage.

Vodkakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dragonvich misses with a takedown attempt

and Vodkakov counters with a takedown into side control.
Vladimir Vodkakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Dragonvich.
Vodkakov is breathing heavily.
Vodkakov tries to score with some ground and pound. Dragonvich controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Dragonvich can't do much from the bottom here.
An elbow from Vodkakov crashes against the mat.
Dragonvich is trying to get back to his feet.
Dragonvich is looking to regain half guard here but Vodkakov keeps moving and retains side control.
Vodkakov gets to mount! Dragonvich was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vodkakov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Dragonvich has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Dragonvich tries to hold on but Vodkakov postures up.

Vodkakov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Dragonvich is surviving well by controlling Vodkakov's body position as best he can.
Vodkakov prevents Dragonvich from getting the reversal.

Vodkakov is working for a guillotine from mount but Dragonvich frees his head quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dragonvich tries to lock up and control but Vodkakov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Dragonvich defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Vodkakov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dragonvich is desperately trying to improve his position but Vodkakov has a good base and remains in mount.
Vodkakov avoids the attempt from Dragonvich to control.
Poor strikes thrown by Vodkakov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Vodkakov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Dragonvich has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Vodkakov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dragonvich misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dragonvich fails with the takedown
and Vodkakov counters with a one-two to the body.
Vodkakov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Vodkakov connects with a solid leg kick.
Dragonvich slaps away a takedown attempt from Vodkakov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vodkakov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dragonvich circles away quickly and effectively.
Dragonvich shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vodkakov but Vodkakov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dragonvich looks for a takedown but Vodkakov sprawls well.
Vladimir Vodkakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Dragonvich.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Dragonvich as Vodkakov shoots in.
Dragonvich doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Dragonvich takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vodkakov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vodkakov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vodkakov wants it to stay on the feet.
Dragonvich defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vodkakov.
Vodkakov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dragonvich sprawls well. Dragonvich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vodkakov gets slowly back to his feet.
Dragonvich closes the distance and clinches up with Vodkakov, looking for a takedown. Dragonvich pushes Vodkakov against the cage but Vodkakov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Vodkakov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dragonvich.
A jab lands there for Vodkakov.
Vodkakov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragonvich shoots in looking for a takedown. Vodkakov tries to sprawl out of it but Dragonvich keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vodkakov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Dragonvich with that takedown attempt.
Vodkakov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dragonvich paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dragonvich changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vodkakov tries to avoid it but Dragonvich manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vodkakov to the ground. Vodkakov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Vodkakov.

Vodkakov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Dragonvich trying to hold on to Vodkakov's head to control him but Vodkakov postures up.
Vodkakov wants to stand up but Dragonvich has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Dragonvich wants to get back to his feet.
Dragonvich keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragonvich trying to control but Vodkakov postures up.
Dragonvich keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Dragonvich is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vodkakov passes into side control, despite Dragonvich's attempt to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Vodkakov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

No luck for Vodkakov with that takedown attempt.
Dragonvich tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vodkakov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dragonvich somewhat.
Dragonvich closes the distance and clinches up with Vodkakov, looking for a takedown. Dragonvich pushes Vodkakov against the cage but Vodkakov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vodkakov shoots in for a double leg but Dragonvich sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragonvich with a poor takedown
and Vodkakov counters with a left to the body.
Vladimir Vodkakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Dragonvich.
Vodkakov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Dragonvich counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vodkakov won't be happy with that.
Vodkakov is trying to get back to half guard.
Vodkakov is pushing Dragonvich's head away, looking to escape. Dragonvich manages to hold on to the position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vodkakov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Dragonvich wants to get back to full guard.
Vodkakov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dragonvich wants to get back to full guard.
Dragonvich is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Vodkakov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dragonvich doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Dragonvich takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dragonvich fails to land the takedown.

Dragonvich shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Vodkakov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Dragonvich decides to stand back up. Dragonvich steps back and let's Vodkakov get back to his feet.
Vodkakov tries to close the distance and clinch but Dragonvich swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dragonvich has a takedown stuffed.
Vodkakov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dragonvich throws a looping overhand right but Vodkakov ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vodkakov tries to clinch but Dragonvich is having none of it.
Dragonvich fails with the takedown
and Vodkakov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Dragonvich shoots and misses
and Vodkakov counters with a nice kick to the body.
Vodkakov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Dragonvich with a poor takedown
and Vodkakov counters with a one-two to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Dragonvich as Vodkakov shoots in.
Vodkakov slaps away a takedown attempt from Dragonvich, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dragonvich closes the distance and clinches up with Vodkakov, looking for a takedown. Dragonvich pushes Vodkakov against the cage but Vodkakov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

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.
Dragonvich tries to clinch

and Vodkakov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Dragonvich tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vodkakov smiles and moves away.
Vodkakov tries to bum rush Dragonvich with a series of wild strikes but Dragonvich uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vodkakov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragonvich shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Vodkakov counters by moving into the clinch.
Vodkakov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vodkakov just leaning against Dragonvich, taking a breather.
Ivan Dragonvich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vladimir Vodkakov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dragonvich pushes off an throws an elbow but Vodkakov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Dragonvich tries to break the clinch but Vodkakov is controlling the position.
Dragonvich throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Dragonvich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vodkakov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Vodkakov!