PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Radu Dracul (ranked 3 p4p, 63 weight class) and Vladimir Skurwysynowski (ranked 1 p4p, 13 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dracul
vs
Skurwysynowski

190 cm
32
202
27 - 5 - 0

193 cm
29
205
20 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Radu Dracul!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Skurwysynowski!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters are only really looking to counter, so after a good 30 seconds of circling each other endlessly, the referee has stepped in and told them both to be more aggressive.
Skurwysynowski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dracul looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skurwysynowski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dracul tries to counter with a takedown but Skurwysynowski is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul fails to land the takedown.
Dracul sets himself, and Skurwysynowski steps forward looking for the clinch! Dracul avoids it this time.
Dracul shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Skurwysynowski sprawls well. Skurwysynowski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dracul gets slowly back to his feet.
Skurwysynowski wants to counter with a clinch but Dracul pushes him away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Radu Dracul. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dracul takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul checks a leg kick nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Skurwysynowski. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Skurwysynowski.
Dracul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Skurwysynowski.
Dracul tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Skurwysynowski swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dracul tries for a takedown but Skurwysynowski circles away easily

and Skurwysynowski counters by clinching up.
Skurwysynowski misses with the head strike.
Dracul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Skurwysynowski pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Skurwysynowski is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Dracul is defending well for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dracul avoiding damage as Skurwysynowski throws knees to the body.

Dracul breaks from the clinch.
Dracul misses with a takedown attempt - Skurwysynowski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Skurwysynowski dominated that round.
That's time! Dracul's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Skurwysynowski throws a shot from downtown. Dracul moves away and avoids it.
Dracul changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dracul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Skurwysynowski pinned against the cage. Skurwysynowski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Skurwysynowski steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Dracul.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skurwysynowski pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dracul tries to counter with a takedown but Skurwysynowski is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul fails with the takedown.
Dracul fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Radu Dracul. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Skurwysynowski looks to land a left hand but Dracul moved out of range nicely.
Dracul feinted with a counter takedown.
Dracul shoots in but Skurwysynowski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dracul has his takedown stuffed

and Skurwysynowski counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Skurwysynowski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skurwysynowski gets through Dracul's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dracul trying to stall but Skurwysynowski improves his position.
Skurwysynowski lands with a left to the head.
Skurwysynowski using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dracul has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dracul wants to take the fight to the mat but Skurwysynowski manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Skurwysynowski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Skurwysynowski lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dracul backwards.
Dracul blocks a body shot from Skurwysynowski.
Dracul wants a takedown.
Dracul is looking to break free of the clinch but Skurwysynowski has double underhooks.
A short uppercut from Skurwysynowski.
Dracul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Skurwysynowski pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skurwysynowski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Skurwysynowski on the inside.
Dracul has been working on his balance at ZuccoTraining Ground, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Skurwysynowski.
Skurwysynowski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Dracul turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skurwysynowski prevents Dracul from moving into mount.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Skurwysynowski tries to buck Dracul off but Dracul is having none of it.
Dracul is looking to take a break and control but Skurwysynowski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Skurwysynowski is being controlled here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dracul wants to control but Skurwysynowski is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Skurwysynowski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Skurwysynowski tests Dracul's chin there with a solid looking shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Skurwysynowski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skurwysynowski misses with a hook. Dracul ducked under it nicely.
Skurwysynowski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dracul drops down looking for a counter takedown but Skurwysynowski sprawls and moves away.
Skurwysynowski swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dracul attempts a counter takedown but Skurwysynowski avoids it well and moves away.
Skurwysynowski throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dracul attempts a counter takedown but Skurwysynowski avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Dracul ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dracul shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Skurwysynowski sprawls well. Skurwysynowski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dracul gets slowly back to his feet.
Skurwysynowski wants to counter with a clinch but Dracul pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skurwysynowski misses the shot to the body.
Dracul shoots in but Skurwysynowski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A big right from Skurwysynowski misses.
Dracul changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Skurwysynowski pivots, looking for a leg kick but Dracul is out of range and Skurwysynowski settles back down.
A nice leg kick from Skurwysynowski, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dracul is trying hard to land a takedown here. Skurwysynowski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Skurwysynowski wants to counter the offense by Dracul and move into the clinch position.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Radu Dracul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dracul dives in and grabs Skurwysynowski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Skurwysynowski pushes down on Dracul's head and hops out.
Skurwysynowski wants to counter the offense by Dracul and move into the clinch position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Skurwysynowski really dominated that round.
That's time! Dracul's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Dracul checks a low kick from Skurwysynowski.
A jab from Skurwysynowski misses.
Dracul keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Skurwysynowski.
Dracul changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dracul tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Skurwysynowski swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skurwysynowski looks to land a left hand but Dracul moved out of range nicely.
Dracul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Skurwysynowski.
Dracul feinted with a counter takedown.
Dracul looks for a takedown but Skurwysynowski sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Dracul closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Dracul working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Dracul tries to move to mount but Skurwysynowski blocks the move with his legs.
Skurwysynowski is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul wants to control but Skurwysynowski is keeping him busy.
Skurwysynowski being controlled for a moment.

Dracul looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Skurwysynowski is not content to let Dracul control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Skurwysynowski stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Skurwysynowski is trying to get back to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Skurwysynowski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dracul remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Dracul trying to control the position but Skurwysynowski is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dracul tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Radu Dracul had his way with Vladimir Skurwysynowski in that 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!

Skurwysynowski with a nice cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dracul shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Skurwysynowski as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul dives in and grabs Skurwysynowski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Skurwysynowski pushes down on Dracul's head and hops out.
Skurwysynowski steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Dracul.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dracul is defended easily by Skurwysynowski.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Radu Dracul. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Skurwysynowski connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dracul momentarily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Skurwysynowski.
Dracul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul fails with the takedown

and Skurwysynowski moves into the clinch.

Skurwysynowski is fighting off a takedown attempt but Dracul is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Skurwysynowski to the mat. Skurwysynowski regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Skurwysynowski is controlling Dracul's posture.
Dracul looking to pass the guard.
Skurwysynowski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dracul. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Dracul thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Skurwysynowski managing to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Skurwysynowski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Skurwysynowski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Skurwysynowski 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Skurwysynowski!
Vladimir Skurwysynowski is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Vladimir Skurwysynowski made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.