PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Draganov (ranked 1789 p4p, 2063 weight class) and Jake Askren (ranked 163 p4p, 188 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Draganov
vs
Askren

178 cm
26
155
9 - 7 - 0

170 cm
26
157
12 - 12 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

PWNAGE™

Fantasy Threads
IC&E Nutrition (& 10% Laundry)

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ivan Draganov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Jake Askren!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Francis DeMontford and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Draganov clinches with his opponent.
Draganov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Draganov breaks the clinch.
Askren lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Askren.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Askren tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Draganov swivels and escapes.
Askren shoots in but Draganov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Draganov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Askren is fending him off so far but Draganov persists. Nope, Askren circles away and we're back to standing.
Draganov throws a body kick that misses.

Askren fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Draganov sprawls well initially but Askren persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Askren looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Askren sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Draganov defending well though.

Draganov manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Askren keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Draganov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Draganov stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Draganov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Askren goes for a takedown in the clinch but Draganov prevents it.
Ivan Draganov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Askren.
A body shot lands from Askren.
Askren working aggressively here.

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

Askren decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Draganov is trying to stand back up but Askren is controlling him
Askren lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Askren is looking to advance position but Draganov won't allow it.
We've been hearing good reports from Draganov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Draganov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Draganov reverses the position - he's now on top in Askren's guard.
Draganov wants to get up but he can't break Askren's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Draganov wants to stand and escape but instead Askren has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Askren is working Draganov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Draganov has momentary wrist control but Askren slips an elbow through the middle.
Draganov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren looking to pass the guard.
Askren works over Draganov with some ground and pound from guard.
Askren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Draganov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Askren missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Askren wants to pass the guard but Draganov is keeping the position.

Draganov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Askren has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Askren misses with the head strike.

Draganov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Askren gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Askren throws a head punch that misses.
Askren has Draganov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Draganov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A left hand lands to the body for Draganov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Draganov manages to break the clinch.

Draganov pushes Askren up against the cage in a clinch.
Draganov is trying to maintain a safe position but Askren gets an underhook and turns Draganov into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Askren creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Askren has Draganov pressed against the cage, preventing Draganov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Draganov looking to stall.
Askren is working Draganov over against the cage.
Askren prevents Draganov from breaking the clinch.
Askren working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Askren.
Askren lands a body punch.
Askren tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

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

Draganov closes the distance and pushes Askren back into the cage.
Draganov is trying to maintain a safe position but Askren gets an underhook and turns Draganov into the cage.
Askren cracks Draganov with a nice body shot.
Draganov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Askren tries to work over Draganov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jake Askren will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Draganov clinches with his opponent.

Draganov breaks from the clinch.
Draganov throws a body punch but Askren moves out of range.
Draganov slaps away a takedown attempt from Askren, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Askren fails with a takedown attempt.
Draganov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Draganov throws a sloppy head kick and Askren moves out of range easily.
Askren tries to counter with a clinch but Draganov shakes him off and moves away.
Draganov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Askren.
Ivan Draganov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Askren.
Horrible takedown attempt by Askren or perhaps it was just good defense by Draganov, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren misses with a few strikes there.
Draganov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Askren defends it nicely.

Draganov moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Draganov manages to break the clinch.
Ivan Draganov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Draganov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Askren as he jumps to the side.
Askren walks forward, straight into a front kick from Draganov.
Draganov ducks under a wild hook from Askren.
Draganov darts in looking for a takedown but Askren gets double underhooks and turns Draganov into the cage.
Askren wants to counter the offense by Draganov and move into the clinch position.
Draganov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Askren is keeping busy.
Askren is leaning against Draganov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Askren is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Draganov is trying to break the clinch but Askren is controlling him.
Askren doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Draganov trying to stall but Askren improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Draganov trying to stall but Askren improves his position.
Askren lands a right hand.
Askren throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Draganovs head.
Jake Askren seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Askren swings wildly with an uppercut but Draganov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Draganov is pushing Askren up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Draganov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Draganov prevents a body shot from Askren.
Draganov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Askren blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Askren.
Draganov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Askren's elbow.

Draganov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Draganov tries for a takedown but Askren sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Draganov fails with a takedown attempt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Draganov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Askren has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Askren and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Draganov clinches with his opponent.
Draganov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Askren stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Draganov blocking some punches.
Askren wants a takedown.
Askren tries a body shot but Draganov blocks it.
Draganov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Askren changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Draganov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ivan Draganov is winning the standup battle so far.
Askren throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Draganov's waist but Draganov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Askren off to one side.
Askren tries for a takedown but Draganov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Askren is breathing heavily.
Draganov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Askren fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Draganov clinches up with Askren and pushes him back against the cage.
Askren swings wildly with an uppercut but Draganov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Draganov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Askren doesn't manage to clinch there - Draganov circles away.
Askren connects with a crisp jab.
Draganov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Askren looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Draganov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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!
Askren struggling a bit here.

Draganov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Askren to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Draganov dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Draganov lands a jab-cross combination.
Askren goes for a double leg but Draganov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Draganov continues to drive forward.
Askren throws a nice looking combination but Draganov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Askren throws a jab but it's blocked by Draganov.
Draganov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Askren shoots for a takedown but Draganov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Draganov throws a series of punches but Askren moves out of range.

Draganov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Askren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Draganov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Askren is still trying to improve position.
Askren takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Askren won't allow Draganov to get back to his feet.
Askren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Draganov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren throws an elbow that misses. Draganov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Askren's guard. Nice move by Draganov!

Draganov gets to his feet. Askren looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Draganov moves into range and clinches up with Askren.
Draganov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Draganov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Askren lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Draganov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Askren lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Draganov backwards.
Askren lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Askren tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ivan Draganov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Askren.

Draganov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Askren is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Draganov to the mat. Draganov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Draganov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

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!
Draganov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ivan Draganov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Draganov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Draganov is fighting to break Askren's control of his arms but Askren is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Draganov wants to stand but Askren has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Askren is working an open guard so Draganov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Draganov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Draganov clinches with his opponent.
Draganov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Draganov letting Askren take a breather here.
Askren blocks a body shot from Draganov.

Draganov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Askren with that takedown attempt.

Draganov clinches up with Askren and pushes him back against the cage.

Draganov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Askren fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Draganov attempts a counter takedown but Askren avoids it well and moves away.

Askren has closed the distance and engaged Draganov in a clinch.
Draganov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Draganov misses with a body punch.
Draganov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Askren lands a shot to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Askren takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Askren pushes Draganov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Draganov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Draganov breaks from the clinch.
Draganov darts in looking for a takedown but Askren gets double underhooks and turns Draganov into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Draganov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Draganov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Draganov!
Ivan Draganov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.