PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Izuagbe Ugoh (ranked 1375 p4p, 219 weight class) and Markus Drotske (ranked 1340 p4p, 216 weight class). Ugoh comes to the cage accompanied by Rocky Dawuni - African Thriller. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ugoh
vs
Drotske

191 cm
27
207 lbs
9 - 5 - 1

188 cm
27
216 lbs
12 - 5 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Izuagbe Ugoh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Markus Drotske!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drotske swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Drotske dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ugoh misses with a looping right.
Drotske throws a hook but Ugoh blocks it.

Ugoh has closed the distance and engaged Drotske in a clinch.
A short right from Ugoh on the inside.
Ugoh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Drotske backwards.
A shot in the inside from Drotske.
Ugoh swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Drotske blocks an uppercut.
Drotske lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Drotske.
Ugoh tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ugoh digs a right hand underneath Drotske's ribcage. Drotske let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Drotske lands with a short shot to the head.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Drotske has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Drotske working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drotske.
A short right from Drotske.
Drotske throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Drotske.
Drotske throws a punch but it's blocked by Ugoh.
Ugoh misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ugoh.
Ugoh working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ugoh gets through Drotske's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Drotske blocks an uppercut.
Ugoh has a couple of punches blocked by Drotske.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short uppercut from Drotske.
Drotske pushes Ugoh back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Drotske working aggressively here.

Drotske manages to break the clinch.
Ugoh takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nice defenses there by Ugoh.
Drotske takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Drotske falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Ugoh to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Drotske on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ugoh slips under a jab from Drotske.
A quick step to the side and Ugoh tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Drotske scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ugoh lands a lovely overhand right.
Drotske misses with a hook.
Ugoh lands the left hand.
Drotske pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ugoh connects with the punch.
Ugoh throws a looping overhand right but Drotske ducks down to avoid it.
Ugoh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Drotske.
It looked like Ugoh was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Drotske.
Ugoh throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Drotske counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ugoh cracks Drotske with a good jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Drotske tries a head kick but it misses.
Drotske misses the shot to the body.
Drotske throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ugoh counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Drotske scores with a hook to the body. Ugoh takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ugoh throws a body punch but Drotske moves out of range.
Drotske misses with a straight left.

Ugoh takes the fight into the clinch.
Drotske misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ugoh tries to work over Drotske's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drotske looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Drotske blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ugoh tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drotske is working Ugoh over against the cage.
Drotske prevents a body shot from Ugoh.
Ugoh misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ugoh blocks an uppercut.
Ugoh swings wildly with an uppercut but Drotske uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ugoh throws a head punch that misses.
Drotske lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drotske.

Drotske escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A swing and a miss from Drotske.

Ugoh clinches.
Ugoh scores with a shot to the side of Drotske's head.
Drotske wants to break free but Ugoh has control.
Drotske lands a hook that snaps the head of Ugoh backwards.
Drotske misses with a punch to the body.
Drotske blocking some punches.

Drotske breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drotske misses with an uppercut.
Drotske throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Drotske throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Ugoh on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Drotske throws a nice looking combination but Ugoh bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A quick step to the side and Ugoh tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some bone on bone action there as Ugoh checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nice defenses there by Ugoh.
Ugoh slips under a jab.
Ugoh walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Drotske checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Drotske throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Drotske misses with a right hand
and Ugoh makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ugoh looks to land a right hand but Drotske moved out of range.
A little jabbing left from Drotske on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jab, jab by Drotske - just one landing.
Ugoh misses the jab.
A shot to the body from Ugoh misses
and Drotske makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ugoh throws a nice inside leg kick.
Drotske walks into a straight right hand from Ugoh.
Ugoh takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Drotske lands with an uppercut that bounces Ugoh off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Markus Drotske will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ugoh's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Drotske takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ugoh. Drotske does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ugoh throws a shot from downtown. Drotske moves away and avoids it.
Drotske throws a jab when Ugoh was well out of range.
Ugoh staying out of range there.
Ugoh checks a low kick from Drotske.
Drotske connects with a body shot.
Ugoh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Drotske was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Markus Drotske seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Drotske is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ugoh.
Drotske needs to keep his hands up - Ugoh had a free shot at his head there.
A head kick misses from Drotske.
Ugoh swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Drotske throws a shot to the body.
Ugoh tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drotske feints a jab promting Ugoh to slip. Drotske then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ugoh slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ugoh takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ugoh wants to clinch up but Drotske keeps it at a distance.
Ugoh moves into range and connects with a jab.
Markus Drotske seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ugoh avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ugoh tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Drotske is able to avoid easily.
Ugoh throws a leg kick but Drotske sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ugoh fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drotske misses with a body shot.
Ugoh lunges at Drotske with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Drotske's hand.
Ugoh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Drotske lands with an uppercut that bounces Ugoh off the cage and back into range.
Ugoh takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Drotske fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ugoh looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ugoh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drotske swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ugoh blocks a jab.
Ugoh dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Drotske. That did some damage!
Ugoh avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ugoh ducks under a wild hook from Drotske.
Drotske lands with a nice body punch.
Ugoh on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Drotske scoring well with a low kick there.
Ugoh slips a straight right by Drotske.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drotske misses with a looping left.
Drotske looks to land a combination but Ugoh avoids it well.
Drotske takes a swing at Ugoh's ribcage but misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Ugoh misses the target.
Drotske throws a nice outside leg kick.
Drotske misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ugoh lands with a good body shot.
The fighters circling - Drotske throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ugoh. Drotske does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ugoh fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Drotske has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ugoh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Drotske.
Ugoh connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ugoh pivots, looking for a leg kick but Drotske is out of range and Ugoh settles back down.
Ugoh bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Drotske lands a nice looking body shot.
Drotske throws a hook to the side of Ugoh's head but Ugoh sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Drotske lands a slapping body shot.
Drotske misses with a straight left.
Ugoh avoids the body shot from Drotske.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drotske walks into a straight right hand from Ugoh.
A big left from Ugoh misses.
Ugoh defending well as Drotske loads up on a big left hand.
Ugoh throws a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Ugoh.
Drotske looks to land a left hand but Ugoh moved out of range nicely.
Ugoh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drotske swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drotske has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ugoh fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Drotske is out of range.
Drotske gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Ugoh fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Drotske, pushing him back against the cage.
Ugoh fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Drotske is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Drotske pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ugoh wants to clinch but Drotske slips to the side
and Drotske counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Drotske lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ugoh at a distance.
Ugoh misses with a looping right.
Drotske looks to land a right hand but Ugoh moved out of range.
Ugoh feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ugoh moves away from the strike by Drotske.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drotske getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Drotske looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ugoh darts in and clinches Drotske up against the cage.
Drotske wants to stall.
Izuagbe Ugoh has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ugoh throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Ugoh.
Drotske is stalling here.
A short left from Ugoh.
Drotske misses with a punch to the body.
Ugoh tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drotske tries to circle away but Ugoh has him pinned against the cage.
Ugoh swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Drotske throws a head punch that misses.
Ugoh goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Drotske breaks from the clinch.
Drotske throws a head kick that misses.
Drotske keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Drotske showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Drotske looks to score with a jab to the body but Ugoh is just out of range.
Ugoh is looking to clinch.
Drotske looks to score with a jab to the body but Ugoh is just out of range.
Ugoh throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ugoh ducks under a wild hook from Drotske.
Ugoh lands a really nice looking cross but Drotske seems unphased.
Ugoh doesn't manage to clinch there - Drotske circles away.
Good exchange - Drotske coming out on top.
A looping hook to the body misses from Drotske. Ugoh does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Drotske misses the target.

Ugoh has Drotske up against the cage in a clinch.
Ugoh lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ugoh swings wildly with an uppercut but Drotske uses good head movement to avoid it.

Drotske breaks from the clinch.
Ugoh takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Drotske misses with a right hand
and Ugoh counters with a left to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ugoh fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Drotske looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ugoh lands a jab.
Ugoh tries to clinch up.
Drotske punishes Ugoh's body with a nice straight punch.
Ugoh lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Drotske throws a head kick that misses.
Drotske pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ugoh.
Drotske misses with a hook.
Drotske changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ugoh scores with a jab to the body.

Ugoh forces Drotske back against the cage and clinches.
Ugoh scores with a hook to the body.
Drotske takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ugoh swings wildly with an uppercut but Drotske uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ugoh lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ugoh throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Drotskes head.
Drotske blocks an uppercut.
Izuagbe Ugoh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drotske lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ugoh backwards.

Drotske breaks the clinch.
Ugoh looks to clinch
letting Drotske counter with a right hand.
Ugoh doesn't manage to clinch there - Drotske circles away.
Ugoh uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Drotske.
Drotske circles away from the clinch attempt.
Drotske tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ugoh appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Drotske misses with an uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Drotske. Beautiful body shot.
Drotske throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ugoh cracks Drotske with a good jab.
Ugoh wants to clinch.
Drotske scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ugoh doesn't seem bothered though.
Markus Drotske is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ugoh takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Drotske.
It looked like Ugoh wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ugoh throws out a leg kick but Drotske moves out of range and Ugoh only half commits.
Drotske avoids the body shot from Ugoh.
Ugoh is looking to clinch.
Drotske lands a nice shot to the body.
Ugoh uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Drotske.
Ugoh avoids the head kick by Drotske.
Drotske misses with a lunging right hand
and Ugoh counters with a nice body shot.

Ugoh gets a clinch.
Ugoh blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Drotske blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ugoh lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Drotske misses with the head strike.
Drotske lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ugoh lands a hook that snaps the head of Drotske backwards.
Ugoh blocks an uppercut.
Ugoh misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ugoh misses with a punch to the body.
Drotske tries to break the clinch but Ugoh is controlling the position.
Drotske takes a shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drotske blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ugoh tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drotske wants to break the clinch but can't.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drotske.
Ugoh effectively controlling the action here.
Drotske blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Good body shot from Ugoh.
The referee calls for Ugoh to work.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ugoh.
Ugoh can't find room to land a body shot as Drotske controls the action.
Drotske has Ugoh pushed against the cage.
Ugoh tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Ugoh - that landed with a thud.

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 Izuagbe Ugoh.
I think Drotske 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Markus Drotske!
During a confident post fight interview, Markus Drotske thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.