PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdi Ali Raouff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Ali Raouff's choice of entrance music: Aishiq. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Drago
vs
Ali Raouff

197 cm
19
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
24
274 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abdi Ali Raouff!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ali Raouff gets a double leg takedown into Drago's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ali Raouff accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Ali Raouff is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Drago is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Drago has escaped and now he's on top!

Drago won't allow Ali Raouff to sweep him here.
Drago is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ali Raouff can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ali Raouff working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago trying to control but Ali Raouff is working from the bottom.
Ali Raouff looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Drago is working Ali Raouff over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Drago stands up from Ali Raouff's guard - Drago perhaps looking for a knockout.
A combination from Ali Raouff does no damage.

Ali Raouff gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Ali Raouff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ali Raouff scores with a takedown into Drago's guard.

Drago has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Ali Raouff has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali Raouff drops down looking for an ankle pick but Drago pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ali Raouff bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Drago's head backwards.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ali Raouff tries to clinch
and Drago counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Ali Raouff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Drago pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ali Raouff fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Drago swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ali Raouff wants to clinch.
Drago tries to counter by clinching up but Ali Raouff breaks away and moves out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ali Raouff, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Ali Raouff does no damage.
Ali Raouff checks a leg kick.
Ali Raouff throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ali Raouff looks winded!
Ali Raouff throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ali Raouff throws an overhand right that lands on Drago's shoulder, as Drago tries to avoid the shot.
Drago tries to counter by clinching up but Ali Raouff breaks away and moves out of range.

Drago closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Drago looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Drago definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ali Raouff for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ivan Drago will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Drago works Ali Raouff's body with a nice hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ali Raouff looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Drago drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ali Raouff sprawls and moves away.
Ali Raouff throws a nice looking combination but Drago bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ivan Drago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Drago closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ali Raouff to the mat! Ali Raouff manages to get full guard.
Ali Raouff keeping moving, preventing Drago from controlling successfully.

Drago decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago throws a sloppy head kick and Ali Raouff moves out of range easily.
Drago sets himself, and Ali Raouff steps forward looking for the clinch! Drago avoids it this time.
A left lands for Ali Raouff.

Drago drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drago controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago is pushing down on Ali Raouff's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ali Raouff is fighting to maintain full guard but Drago has managed to sneak the leg through.
Drago is looking to take a break and control but Ali Raouff is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ivan Drago overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Drago escapes and gets back to his feet.
Ali Raouff swinging wildly here.
Drago throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Drago has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Ivan Drago has been cut.
Ali Raouff displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Drago.
Ali Raouff looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ali Raouff. Drago shrugs it off though.
Drago throws a head kick that misses.
Abdi Ali Raouff seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ali Raouff misses with the body kick
and Drago counters with a nice body shot.
Abdi Ali Raouff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ali Raouff is breathing heavily.
Ali Raouff scoring well with a low kick there.
Ali Raouff rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Drago moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Drago closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Ali Raouff manages to escape and get back to his feet!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Drago shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Drago showed some decent athleticism there.
Drago working over Ali Raouff with some ground and pound. Ali Raouff looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali Raouff is trying to stand up here but Drago is controlling him well.
Drago with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drago lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ali Raouff is trying to control but Drago manages to pass to mount!
Drago sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

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.

Drago is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Drago extends the arm and Ali Raouff is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ivan Drago!