PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Luzhin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drago is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Siberian Express. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Luzhin
vs
Drago

185 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Luzhin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Drago!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drago loads up on a big right hand but Luzhin slips the punch.
Drago sizes up Luzhin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A combination from Luzhin does no damage.
Oooh a lovely combination from Luzhin sends Drago down but not out. Luzhin dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Ivan Drago has been cut.
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!

Luzhin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Drago to his feet.
A jab from Drago misses.
Luzhin throws a hook but Drago blocks it.
Drago throws out a loose jab but Luzhin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drago stuffs the takedown.
Luzhin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Luzhin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Drago throws a hook but Luzhin blocks it.
Luzhin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Drago checks a leg kick nicely.
Luzhin shoots in for a takedown but Drago shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Luzhin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut lands for Drago. That snapped Luzhin's head back.
Drago tries to bum rush Luzhin with a series of wild strikes but Luzhin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Drago scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Luzhin as he connects with a hook.
Luzhin moves away from the strike by Drago.
Drago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Luzhin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Luzhin shoots in looking for a takedown. Drago tries to sprawl out of it but Luzhin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Drago manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Luzhin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Drago.
Drago throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Luzhin counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin swings for the body but Drago moves out of range.
Luzhin misses with a straight left.
Danga de danga de dang - Drago scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Nikolai Luzhin has been cut.
Drago throws a hook to the side of Luzhin's head but Luzhin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Drago, as that shot connected.
Luzhin fails with the takedown.
Luzhin is breathing heavily.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Luzhin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Luzhin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Drago scores with a decent looking hook.
Luzhin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Luzhin moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
Drago throws a hook but Luzhin blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Luzhin shoots for a takedown but Drago saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Luzhin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Drago dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Drago misses with a looping right.
A big right from Drago misses.
A swing and a miss from Drago.
Luzhin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Luzhin shoots in for a double leg but Drago sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drago swings for the body but Luzhin moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago throws a right hand that Luzhin ducks under and follows up with a left that Luzhin also avoids with ease.
Luzhin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Drago.
Luzhin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago lands with a cross.
Luzhin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drago.
Luzhin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Drago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Luzhin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Drago counters with a right hand that sends Luzhin tumbling to the canvas! Can Drago finish him? He dives into Luzhin's guard looking to do just that!

Luzhin is rocked!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Luzhin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Luzhin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Drago can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Luzhin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Luzhin has hold of Drago's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Drago manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Drago tries to hold on but Luzhin pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago stops Luzhin from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Drago wants to control but Luzhin is having none of it.
Drago tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Luzhin goes for an armbar but Drago turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Drago.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Luzhin has his foot on Drago's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Drago works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Luzhin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Luzhin being controlled here, momentarily.
Drago stops Luzhin from standing up.
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.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Luzhin throws an overhand right that lands on Drago's shoulder, as Drago tries to avoid the shot.
Drago looks to land a right hand but Luzhin moved out of range.
Luzhin shoots and misses
enabling Drago to counter with a crisp jab.
Drago throws out a loose jab but Luzhin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luzhin tries to clinch

and Drago counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Luzhin!
Luzhin works his way to full guard. Good work.

Luzhin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Drago controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Drago stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Drago dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Drago lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Luzhin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Drago throws out the jab.
Nice uppercut there from Drago.
Luzhin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ivan Drago seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Drago smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Oh Luzhin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luzhin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Luzhin seems to have got his legs back now.
A jab from Drago misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Drago.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Drago counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Luzhin thinking.
Drago misses with the combination.
Luzhin misses with a jab to the body
and Drago counters with a straight right hand.
Drago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Luzhin moves out of range as Drago strikes.
Drago lands a jab to Luzhin's midsection.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Luzhin. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Drago swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Luzhin.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt
and Drago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Luzhin clinches but Drago breaks the clinch
and Drago counters with a series of strikes that really hurt Luzhin! The ref looks into his eyes and sees nobody home - he's called the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ivan Drago!