PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Francois Ducati (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kratus Pretorian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Francois Ducati has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ducati
vs
Pretorian

187 cm
25
197 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Francois Ducati!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kratus Pretorian!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pretorian will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pretorian stuffs the takedown.
Some wild striking there from Pretorian.
Ducati throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pretorian's waist but Pretorian gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ducati off to one side.
Pretorian swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ducati showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pretorian.
Pretorian swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pretorian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ducati circles away quickly and effectively.
Pretorian throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pretorian misses with a two punch combination.
Ducati shoots in and drives through. Pretorian sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francois Ducati. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ducati throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ducati shoots in for a takedown but Pretorian shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ducati misses with a takedown attempt - Pretorian sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ducati shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pretorian sprawls well. Pretorian wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ducati gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pretorian misses with a few strikes there.

Ducati changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pretorian looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pretorian dodges the ground and pound from Ducati.
Pretorian is not content to let Ducati control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ducati working the ground and pound.
Ducati trying to control the action but Pretorian is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pretorian stops Ducati from passing to mount.
Pretorian is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ducati 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.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pretorian can do anything to dispel that myth.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ducati slips a jab and a cross from Pretorian.
Pretorian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ducati circles away quickly and effectively.
Pretorian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ducati circles away quickly and effectively.
Pretorian looks to land a combination. Ducati sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
No luck for Ducati with that takedown attempt.
Ducati slips a jab and a cross from Pretorian.
Pretorian rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ducati moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A nice combination there by Pretorian.
Ducati dives in and grabs Pretorian's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pretorian pushes down on Ducati's head and hops out.
Pretorian misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pretorian looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A combination from Pretorian does no damage.
Pretorian fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pretorian misses with the combination.
Pretorian throws a series of punches but Ducati avoids them all with ease.
Ducati fails with a takedown attempt.
Pretorian scores with a one two! Ducati had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Pretorian.
Ducati slips a jab and a cross from Pretorian.
Ducati dodges the punch combination from Pretorian.
Ducati slips a jab and a cross from Pretorian.
Pretorian misses with a wild combination.
Ducati has a takedown stuffed.
Pretorian looks to land a combination but Ducati avoids it well.
Ducati shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pretorian but Pretorian pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ducati avoids a punch combination nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ducati.
Ducati is breathing heavily.
Ducati showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pretorian.
Ducati fails with the takedown.
Pretorian scores with a one two! Ducati had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Pretorian throws a nice looking combination but Ducati bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ducati looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Pretorian.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pretorian lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kratus Pretorian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pretorian lands a two punch combo.
Pretorian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ducati circles away quickly and effectively.
Pretorian throws a nice looking combination but Ducati bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ducati shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pretorian pinned against the cage. Pretorian gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Pretorian scores with a one two! Ducati had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Pretorian fails to land with a series of punches.
Pretorian misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pretorian fails to land with a series of punches.
Ducati has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Pretorian misses with a wild combination.
Pretorian stuffs the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Pretorian. No joy for Ducati on that attempt.
Pretorian misses with a series of wild punches.
Pretorian looks to land a combination but Ducati avoids it well.
Pretorian tries to bum rush Ducati with a series of wild strikes but Ducati uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ducati shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pretorian defends it nicely.
Ducati showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pretorian.
Pretorian misses with the combination.
Ducati fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A combination from Pretorian does no damage.
Pretorian throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ducati.

Ducati decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Pretorian is defending against the submission attempts here by Ducati.
Ducati thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pretorian's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ducati prevents Pretorian from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ducati thows a huge punch but Pretorian dodges it nicely.
Pretorian avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ducati.
Pretorian is refusing to be controlled, as Ducati sits in half guard.
Ducati thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Ducati seems to be working for a kimura but Pretorian defends the submission attempt.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pretorian throws a one two combo.
Pretorian misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ducati is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pretorian sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francois Ducati. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pretorian misses with a double jab.
Pretorian throws a right and a left that Ducati avoids nicely.

Ducati drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ducati stops Pretorian from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ducati accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pretorian is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ducati is controlling him.
Pretorian keeping full guard, as Ducati tries to pass.
Pretorian really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ducati. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ducati prevents Pretorian from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pretorian is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pretorian throws a right and a left that Ducati avoids nicely.
A combination from Pretorian does no damage.
Ducati throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pretorian's waist but Pretorian gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ducati off to one side.
Pretorian will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ducati takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Pretorian throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pretorian is working the combinations to good effect here.
Ducati closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pretorian circles away.
Ducati is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pretorian sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Pretorian misses with a series of wild punches.
Pretorian throws a series of punches but Ducati avoids them all with ease.
Pretorian misses with a few strikes there.
Francois Ducati is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ducati dodges the punch combination from Pretorian.
Ducati closes the distance and clinches up with Pretorian, looking for a takedown. Ducati pushes Pretorian against the cage but Pretorian circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pretorian misses with a series of wild punches.
Pretorian throws a series of punches but Ducati moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pretorian looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ducati looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pretorian is fending him off so far but Ducati persists. Nope, Pretorian circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch combination from Pretorian misses.
Pretorian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ducati circles away quickly and effectively.
Pretorian misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pretorian fails to land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Pretorian.
Pretorian misses with the combination.
Pretorian tries to bum rush Ducati with a series of wild strikes but Ducati uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Ducati decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ducati looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ducati is trying to control the action in half guard but Pretorian is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pretorian is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francois Ducati dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Pretorian moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Pretorian lands a two punch combo.
Pretorian throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pretorian misses with the combination.
Pretorian misses with the combination.
Pretorian will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pretorian will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ducati takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Ducati looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Pretorian!
Ducati is landing with some decent strikes but Pretorian is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ducati controlling his opponent.
Ducati throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ducati wants to finish this one by submission but Pretorian is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ducati.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pretorian wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Ducati jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Pretorian is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Pretorian and Ducati has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The ground and pound from Ducati seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two 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.

Ducati is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pretorian is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ducati tries to advance to mount but Pretorian denies him.
Pretorian is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ducati is controlling him well.

Ducati thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ducati throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pretorian swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ducati looks for a takedown but Pretorian sprawls well.
Pretorian defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ducati.
Pretorian swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A combination from Pretorian does no damage.
Pretorian throws a right hand that Ducati ducks under and follows up with a left that Ducati also avoids with ease.
Pretorian looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pretorian keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francois Ducati. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pretorian fails to land with a series of punches.
Pretorian scores with a one two! Ducati had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Pretorian throws a series of punches but Ducati avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pretorian throws a one two combo.
Kratus Pretorian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ducati shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pretorian as he jumps to the side.
Left hook, right uppercut from Pretorian.
Pretorian throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pretorian misses with a wild combination.
Pretorian scores with a three punch combo!
Pretorian throws a one two combo.
A combination from Pretorian does no damage.
A punch combination from Pretorian misses.
Pretorian swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pretorian throws a series of punches but Ducati moves out of range.
Pretorian misses with a double jab.
A combination from Pretorian does no damage.
Ducati fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pretorian avoids it really well and circles away.
Pretorian throws a right hand that Ducati ducks under and follows up with a left that Ducati also avoids with ease.
Ducati showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pretorian.
A punch combination from Pretorian misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kratus Pretorian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pretorian 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kratus Pretorian!