PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Uchi Ori (ranked 1789 p4p, 2766 weight class) and Ivan Dragonov (ranked 184 p4p, 277 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Ori
vs
Dragonov

180 cm
26
158
8 - 0 - 0

170 cm
28
148
8 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Uchi Ori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Ivan Dragonov!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ori looks to score with a jab to the body but Dragonov is just out of range.
Ori punishes Dragonov's body with a nice straight punch.
Dragonov moves forwards but Ori connects with a nice, crisp jab.

It looks like Ivan Dragonov has been cut.

Dragonov has closed the distance and engaged Ori in a clinch.
Dragonov scores with a shoulder strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dragonov as Ori tries to tie him up.
Ori avoiding damage as Dragonov throws knees to the body.
Dragonov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ori misses with some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Dragonov.

Ori breaks from the clinch.
Dragonov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ori.

Dragonov has Ori up against the cage in a clinch.
Dragonov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dragonov misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ori doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dragonov.
Good body shot from Dragonov.
Ori tries to stall but Dragonov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Dragonov tries a knee to the head but Ori blocks it.
Dragonov tries to land knees in the clinch but Ori avoids the damage to the body.
Dragonov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Ori's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Dragonov clinches.
Dragonov is working Ori over against the cage.
Ori throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dragonovs head.
Dragonov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Dragonov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ori throws an overhand right that lands on Dragonov's shoulder, as Dragonov tries to avoid the shot.

Dragonov moves into the clinch successfully.
Ori working aggressively here.
Dragonov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ori blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dragonov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dragonov tries to work over Ori's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ori managing to block the knees to the body from Dragonov.
Ori blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Ori manages to break the clinch.
Ori misses the jab.
Ori scores with a nice right hand.
Dragonov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ori. Dragonov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Dragonov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ori lands with a straight right. Dragonov didn't see that one coming.

Dragonov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dragonov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dragonov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ori working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Dragonov blocks a body shot from Ori.
A head punch on the inside from Ori fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ori gets through Dragonov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ori swings wildly with an uppercut but Dragonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dragonov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ori.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ori.
Ori is trying to stall.
Ori misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dragonov tries to work over Ori's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dragonov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Dragonov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ori blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dragonov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ori's elbow.
Dragonov has a couple of punches blocked by Ori.

Ori manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ori feints a jab promting Dragonov to slip. Ori then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Dragonov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Dragonov has managed to clinch.
Ori prevents a body shot from Dragonov.
Ori lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ori misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ori blocks a body shot from Dragonov.
Ori misses with some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ori doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dragonov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Dragonov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Ori on the inside.
Dragonov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ori up against the cage.
Dragonov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ori is defending well for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan Dragonov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ivan Dragonov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dragonov rushes Ori and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Dragonov misses with the head strike.
Ori avoiding damage as Dragonov throws knees to the body.
Dragonov is working Ori over against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Dragonov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ori wants to stall.
Ori scores with a shot to the side of Dragonov's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ori breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dragonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ori.
Dragonov moves away from the strike by Ori.
Ori loads up on a big right hand but Dragonov slips the punch.
Dragonov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Uchi Ori seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dragonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dragonov tries to clinch up but Ori circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragonov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Dragonov darts in and clinches Ori up against the cage.
Ivan Dragonov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Ori escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dragonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Dragonov misses.
Dragonov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ori.
Dragonov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ori with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ori looks to score with a jab to the body but Dragonov is just out of range.
Dragonov slips a straight right by Ori.
Dragonov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ori manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ori throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Dragonov to counter with a crisp jab.
Ori looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ori changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Dragonov closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ori breaks from the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Ori.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ori throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Dragonov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ori just misses with a punch to the body.
Ori swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dragonov.
Ori swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Dragonov forces Ori back against the cage and clinches.
Dragonov digs a right hand into Ori's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ori's gas tank.
Ori misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dragonov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Dragonov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ori takes a knee to the side of the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Dragonov.
Dragonov lands with a short shot to the head.
Ori swings wildly with an uppercut but Dragonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ori creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov tries to work over Ori's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dragonov blocks a body shot from Ori.
Ori cracks Dragonov with a nice body shot.

Dragonov manages to break the clinch.
Ori bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ori keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ori lands a nice hook to Dragonov's body. Dragonov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ori misses with a left hand
and Dragonov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dragonov is looking to clinch.
Dragonov tries to clinch up.
Dragonov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dragonov is looking to clinch.

Dragonov pushes Ori up against the cage in a clinch.
Dragonov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dragonov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dragonov blocks a body shot from Ori.
Ori swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dragonov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ori.

Dragonov breaks the clinch.
Dragonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ori misses with an uppercut. Dragonov saw that one coming.

Dragonov clinches up against the cage.
Ori managing to block the knees to the body from Dragonov.

Ori breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dragonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ori.
Dragonov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dragonov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ori circles away.
Ori misses with a two punch combination.
Nice cross by Ori.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Ori swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Uchi Ori dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Dragonov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Dragonov clinches up with Ori and pushes him back against the cage.

Ori's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ori looks to score with a jab to the body but Dragonov is just out of range.
Ori throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ori punishes Dragonov's body with a nice straight punch.

Dragonov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dragonov is stalling here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dragonov.
Ori swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dragonov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragonov lands a nice knee to the body.

Ori pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ori swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Uchi Ori is winning the standup battle so far.
Ori misses with a lunging right hand
and Ori takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dragonov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragonov moves into the clinch.
Dragonov missing with knees to the body.

Dragonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dragonov avoids the body shot from Ori.
Dragonov drops his hands momentarily and Ori takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Dragonov ducks under a wild hook from Ori.
Dragonov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ori circles away.
Ori throws a series of punches but Dragonov avoids them all with ease.

Dragonov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ori throws a punch but it's blocked by Dragonov.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dragonov.
Dragonov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ori misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dragonov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ori misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Come on Dragonov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Knees to the body from Dragonov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ori stalling in the clinch but Dragonov improves position.
A short body shot lands from Dragonov as the two fighters clinch.
Dragonov misses with a hook to the ribs.

Dragonov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dragonov clinches up with Ori and pushes him back against the cage.
Ori's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dragonov misses with a knee strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Dragonov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Dragonov stalls.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ori breaks from the clinch.

Dragonov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Ori pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ori keeps the fight on the outside.

Dragonov rushes Ori and presses him up against the cage.
Dragonov can't find room to land a body shot as Ori controls the action.
Ori managing to block the knees to the body from Dragonov.
Dragonov misses with a knee strike.
Dragonov throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dragonov.
Dragonov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dragonov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ori.
Dragonov lands with a short shot to the head.
Ori stalling in the clinch.
Dragonov prevents a body shot from Ori.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Oris head.
Ori avoiding damage as Dragonov throws knees to the body.
Dragonov gets through Ori's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dragonov misses with an elbow over the top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ori blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Dragonov.

Ori's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ori waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dragonov.
Ori swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragonov.
Dragonov is looking to clinch.
A quick step to the side and Ori tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Dragonov closes the distance and clinches.
Dragonov has a couple of punches blocked by Ori.
Ori's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ori lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dragonov backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Dragonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dragonov 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Dragonov!