PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leafar Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rafael
vs
Drago

198 cm
21
300 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

210 cm
27
300 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
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 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Leafar Rafael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Ivan Drago!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Drago feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Rafael might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rafael wants to get back to his feet but Drago is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Rafael is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Drago fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rafael tries to pull guard but Drago holds him up against the cage and eventually Rafael drops back down to his feet.
Drago tries to pull guard but Rafael won't allow it.

Drago gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rafael regains guard.
Rafael is looking to stand up but Drago isn't so interested in that idea.
Rafael preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago trying to control but Rafael is working from the bottom.
Rafael is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Drago is controlling him.

Drago drops back looking for a leg! Rafael is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rafael manages to kick Drago off! Drago jumps back into Rafael's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago wants to control from the top but Rafael keeps moving.

Rafael pushes Drago off and gets back to his feet.
A left lands for Rafael.
Rafael swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Rafael moves into the clinch.
Rafael lands with a light punch inside.

Rafael breaks the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Drago.
Drago on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

It looks like Ivan Drago has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Drago shoots in but no luck this time.
Leafar Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Drago.
Rafael looks to score with a jab to the body but Drago is just out of range.
Rafael throws a looping overhand right but Drago ducks down to avoid it.
Nice sprawl there from Rafael as Drago shoots in.
Drago looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago avoids the body shot from Rafael.

Drago gets a clinch.

Rafael has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Drago is trying to keep an underhook but Rafael manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Rafael is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Rafael is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Rafael looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Drago makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Drago.
Rafael slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rafael is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Drago sees it coming and defends easily.

Rafael is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Drago manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Rafael is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Rafael drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rafael jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Rafael drops back looking for a leg! Drago is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Drago manages to kick Rafael off! Rafael jumps back into Drago's guard.
Drago lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rafael!

That's four 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.
Drago landing shots from mount.

Rafael defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Drago.

Rafael bucks Drago off and manages to get back to his feet!
Rafael dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rafael looks for a takedown but Drago sprawls well.
Rafael listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafael thows a body shot but no joy.
Drago looks to land a combination but Rafael avoids it well.
Drago ducks under a wild hook from Rafael.
Rafael connects with the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leafar Rafael dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Drago's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rafael is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Drago.
Rafael swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Leafar Rafael is winning the standup battle so far.

Drago has closed the distance and engaged Rafael in a clinch.
Rafael lands a left hand that snaps the head of Drago backwards.
Drago prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rafael drops down looking for an ankle pick but Drago pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rafael thows a body shot but no joy.
Rafael connects with a looping right hand.
Rafael fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Drago manages to avoid it.

Drago closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Drago lands in his opponent's guard.
Drago trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rafael manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Drago keeping moving, preventing Rafael from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rafael pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Drago is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drago is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Rafael is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Drago looking to control.

Rafael drops back looking for a leg! Drago is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Drago manages to kick Rafael off! Rafael jumps back into Drago's guard.
Rafael advances position into side control!

Rafael tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rafael working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Drago is trying to control Rafael's posture but Rafael avoids it.

Rafael tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rafael has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Rafael looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Rafael is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Rafael is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Drago moves into full guard.

Rafael thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drago throws a couple of heel strikes.

Drago has his foot on Rafael's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rafael works his way back into a safe position though.
Drago working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael pushing down on Drago's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Rafael is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Rafael seems to be looking for submissions.
Drago moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Rafael is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Drago has his foot on Rafael's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rafael works his way back into a safe position though.

Rafael drops back looking for a leg! Drago is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Drago manages to kick Rafael off! Rafael jumps back into Drago's guard.

Rafael is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Drago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Drago's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Drago slips a straight right by Rafael.

Drago decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rafael tries to kick Drago off but Drago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Drago is looking for a kimura but Rafael is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Drago to get the leverage.

Drago is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rafael defends it well.

Rafael has one foot on Drago's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rafael loads up on a big right hand but Drago slips the punch.
Rafael avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rafael is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rafael.
Rafael swings for the body but Drago moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rafael misses with a wild combination.

Rafael shoots in and bounces Drago off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Drago is on top in guard.
Rafael keeping moving, preventing Drago from controlling successfully.
Rafael wants to stand and escape but Drago is having none of it.
Drago wants to pass the guard but Rafael is keeping the position.
Rafael wants to stand and escape but Drago is having none of it.

Drago stands up from Rafael's guard - Drago perhaps looking for a knockout.

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.
Rafael thuds his right hand into Drago's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Rafael instigates a clinch.
Rafael tries to pull guard but Drago holds him up against the cage and eventually Rafael drops back down to his feet.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rafael scores with a shot to the side of Drago's head.

Rafael breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Good exchange - Rafael coming out on top.
Drago ducks under a wild hook from Rafael.
Rafael scores with a jab.

Rafael pushes Drago up against the cage in a clinch.

Rafael has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Drago uses from the top position.
Drago prevents Rafael from getting back to his feet.

Rafael uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Drago comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rafael misses with a body shot

and Drago counters with a single leg into guard. Rafael didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Rafael pushes Drago off and scrambles back to his feet.

Drago drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rafael tries to escape but Drago is in control.

Drago tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Drago has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ivan Drago has got the better of the ground game so far.

Drago is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rafael knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Drago tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Drago has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rafael is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Drago has just dragged him back down to the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rafael throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Leafar Rafael.
I think Rafael 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leafar Rafael!