PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between StepOn Struve (ranked 3240 p4p, 3424 weight class) and Chael Drive (ranked 364 p4p, 386 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?

Struve
vs
Drive

213 cm
20
265
4 - 3 - 0

201 cm
23
260
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, StepOn Struve!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chael Drive!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Ben Hemmingworth and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drive throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Struve's waist but Struve gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Drive off to one side.
Nice body kick there by Struve.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Struve can't find room to land a body shot as Drive controls the action.
Struve keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drive's efforts to push away.
Drive avoiding damage as Struve throws knees to the body.
Struve wants to break the clinch but can't.
Drive displaying some good clinch control by pressing Struve up against the cage.
Drive is trying to pull guard but Struve turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drive jumps guard but Struve turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
StepOn Struve has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chael Drive.
Struve blocks an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Drive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drive tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Drive goes for a takedown attempt but Struve pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A head kick from Struve lands but Drive takes it in his stride.

It looks like Chael Drive has been cut.
Drive doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Struve counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Drive fails with an attempt to clinch.
Struve connects with a high kick.
Drive just misses with a punch to the body.
Struve looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Struve cracks Drive with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Struve lands a big head kick that sends Drive tumbling to the mat! Struve takes a step backwards and waves Drive back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Drive is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Struve throws a nice looking combination but Drive bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Struve lands with a hook. Drive tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Drive shoots in for a double leg but Struve sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve scoring well with a low kick there.
Struve is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Struve buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Drive tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Struve was well out of range. Poor timing from Drive.
A little feinted left hand from Struve on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Struve lands with a thumping leg kick.
Struve thumps Drive with a low kick.
Struve lands a nice shot that snaps Drive's head back.
Struve scores with a nice body kick.
Drive looks winded!
Drive on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Struve turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Drive moves forwards but Struve connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Drive clinches up against the cage.
Drive tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Struve smiles and moves away.
It looks like Struve has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
StepOn Struve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Struve with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve lands a really nice looking cross but Drive seems unphased.
Struve goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Struve lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Struve is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Drive dives in for a single leg takedown but Struve sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Struve lands with a slapping head kick.

Struve lands a big head kick that sends Drive tumbling to the mat! Struve takes a step backwards and waves Drive back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Drive is still on wobbly legs! Can Struve finish him?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
BOOM! Struve lands a beautiful left hook that drops Drive. Drive tries to recover but Struve is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Drive lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). StepOn Struve!
StepOn Struve decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.