PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Morrison (ranked 67 p4p, 210 weight class) and Natsu Dragneel (ranked 11 p4p, 29 weight class). Morrison's entrance music is Dead By Daylight - Legion Theme. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Dragneel's choice of entrance music: Come the Fire Dragon. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Morrison
vs
Dragneel

181 cm
34
170
37 - 18 - 0

185 cm
26
180
15 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Tempo Athletics
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Champion Apparel
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Morrison!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Natsu Dragneel!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morrison swings widly with a right hand
and Dragneel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Morrison pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Morrison takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Morrison moves into range and connects with a jab.

Morrison gets a takedown into half guard.
Dragneel is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Morrison's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Morrison's back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dragneel is not going to allow Morrison to sit and survive in this position.
Morrison is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Dragneel punches the canvas rather than the man.
Dragneel trying to control momentarily.
Dragneel throwing sloppy strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrison tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Morrison tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Morrison's coaches at Marty Robbin's Fight Ranch have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Morrison tries to lock up and control but Dragneel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morrison is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Morrison is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Morrison avoids a series of strikes thrown by Dragneel.
Dragneel unloads with some shots from mount but Morrison bucks and avoids them well.
Morrison is wriggling around trying to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morrison blocking the ground and pound.
Morrison keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Dragneel thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Morrison is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel looking to finish with strikes here!
Morrison can't escape the position.
Morrison regains half guard.
Morrison wants to get back to full guard.
Dragneel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Morrison defending well though.
Dragneel tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Morrison.
Dragneel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Morrison is trying to get back to full guard.
Morrison trying to control from the bottom.
Morrison is looking to improve his position.
Morrison keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Morrison preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Dragneel misses with a head shot. Morrison uses the momentum to regain guard.
Dragneel throws a big right hand that misses.
Dragneel tries to stand but Morrison is controlling from the bottom.
Morrison tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Morrison utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dragneel is fighting to break Morrison's control of his arms but Morrison is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Morrison misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morrison misses with a straight left.
Morrison lands a jab to Dragneel's midsection.
Morrison takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dragneel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dragneel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dragneel misses with a looping left.
Morrison throwing a counter right hand but Dragneel manages to avoid it.
Morrison bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Frank Morrison seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dragneel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Morrison lands with a good body shot.
Dragneel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dragneel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Natsu Dragneel dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Morrison slips under a jab.
Dragneel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morrison.
Jab, jab by Morrison - just one landing.
Morrison lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dragneel circles away quickly and effectively.
Morrison on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dragneel. Dragneel obviously looking to wear him down.
Dragneel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Morrison manages to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Morrison.
Morrison misses with a looping left.
Morrison lands a right hook to the body.
Dragneel throws a body kick that misses.
Morrison is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Morrison fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Morrison throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Morrison throws a poor cross that misses

and Dragneel counters with a single leg into guard. Morrison didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Morrison is on top in guard.

Morrison lands a couple of digs.
Natsu Dragneel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Morrison working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrison trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dragneel wants to stand but Morrison is controlling the position.
Morrison landing with the ground and pound.
Dragneel has momentary wrist control but Morrison slips an elbow through the middle.
Dragneel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Morrison is controlling him.
Morrison's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dragneel wants to stand up but Morrison is controlling him.
Morrison landing with the ground and pound.
Morrison is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrison wants to control from the top but Dragneel keeps moving.
Dragneel wants to stand and escape but Morrison is having none of it.
Dragneel bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Morrison's guard.

Dragneel stopping the sweep attempt from Morrison.
Dragneel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Morrison is trying to keep Dragneel in close.
Morrison managing to control the position.
Dragneel throws a big right hand that misses.
Morrison tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dragneel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dragneel won't allow Morrison to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dragneel wants to stand but Morrison is controlling his posture from full guard.
Morrison tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dragneel would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dragneel takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Morrison misses with a looping right.
Dragneel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Morrison.
Dragneel walks into a left hand.
Frank Morrison is winning the standup battle so far.
Dragneel throws a jab when Morrison was well out of range.
Dragneel misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrison throws a hook to the side of Dragneel's head but Dragneel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dragneel scores with a jab to the head.
Morrison uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dragneel.
Dragneel misses with a looping right.
Dragneel lands a head shot.
Morrison slips under a jab.
Dragneel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Morrison was well out of range. Poor timing from Dragneel.
Dragneel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morrison throws a hook to the side of Dragneel's head but Dragneel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dragneel lands a head kick!
A looping hook to the body misses from Dragneel. Morrison does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dragneel throws a sloppy head kick

so Morrison counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Morrison works over Dragneel with some ground and pound from guard.
Dragneel keeping moving, preventing Morrison from controlling successfully.
Dragneel wants to stand up but Morrison is controlling him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Frank Morrison will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed right hand from Morrison misses the target.
Dragneel with the inside leg kick.
Dragneel swinging wildly here.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Dragneel.
Dragneel throws a jab when Morrison was well out of range.
Morrison takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Morrison pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Morrison cracks a nice hook into Dragneel's ribs.
Dragneel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Morrison sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dragneel thuds his right hand into Morrison's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Dragneel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Morrison to counter with a crisp jab.
Dragneel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Morrison misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morrison throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dragneel sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrison with a nice cross.
Morrison fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice defenses there by Dragneel.
Dragneel throws a head kick that misses.
Morrison throws a jab but it's blocked by Dragneel.
Morrison looks to throw the jab but Dragneel is out of range.
Morrison scores with a shot to the body.
Morrison throws a jab when Dragneel was well out of range.
Morrison avoids a punch combination nicely.

Morrison shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Morrison lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel landing small, sideways elbows.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morrison is nestled in close to Dragneel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Dragneel tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Morrison seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Morrison winds up and cracks Dragneel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Dragneel wants to get back to his feet.
Dragneel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Morrison scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Morrison connects with a nice short shot to Dragneel's temple.
Dragneel is trying to stand back up but Morrison is controlling him
Dragneel regains full guard. Nicely done.
Dragneel lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Morrison managing to control the position.
Dragneel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison wants to sweep here but Dragneel controlling him for the moment.
Morrison working a defensive guard here.
Morrison wants to sweep but no luck.

Dragneel stands and steps away. Morrison gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Dragneel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Morrison lands a jab to Dragneel's midsection.
Dragneel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Morrison scores with a decent looking hook.
Morrison misses with a hook. Dragneel ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Morrison throws out a loose jab but Dragneel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dragneel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice defenses there by Dragneel.
A jab from Dragneel misses.
Morrison misses with a looping left.
Morrison throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dragneel looks to score with a jab to the body but Morrison is just out of range.
Morrison takes a swing at Dragneel's ribcage but misses.
Dragneel slips under a jab.
Dragneel misses with an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Morrison drives through with a takedown into Dragneel's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Dragneel is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Morrison presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Morrison wants to take the fight to the mat but Dragneel manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Dragneel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dragneel prevents a body shot from Morrison.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Frank Morrison did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dragneel moves away from the strike by Morrison.
A big left from Morrison misses.
Morrison misses the jab.
Morrison misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dragneel.
Morrison misses with a wild body shot.
Morrison scores with a hook.
Morrison misses with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Morrison misses the target.

Morrison shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Dragneel's guard.
Dragneel trying to strike off his back.
Morrison showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrison stops Dragneel from standing up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Morrison's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragneel manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Morrison lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dragneel at a distance.
A slow jab from Dragneel misses its intended target.
Morrison tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dragneel was well out of range. Poor timing from Morrison.
Dragneel takes one to the side of the head.
A slow jab from Morrison misses its intended target.
Morrison misses with an uppercut.
Dragneel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morrison.
Dragneel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dragneel scores with a leg kick.
Morrison swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Good shot there by Morrison.
Dragneel moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An inside leg kick from Dragneel misses.
Morrison misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dragneel.
Morrison throws a body shot but no joy.
A countering left hand to the body from Dragneel misses.
Dragneel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Morrison cracks Dragneel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Dragneel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Morrison was well out of range. Poor timing from Dragneel.
Morrison appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Dragneel slips under a jab.
Morrison just misses with a punch to the body.
Dragneel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morrison.
Dragneel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Morrison with a body shot.
Dragneel misses with a looping right.
A big right from Morrison misses.
Dragneel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dragneel avoids the body shot from Morrison.
Dragneel misses the jab.
Dragneel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Morrison.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel tries to work over Morrison's front leg with a kick but Morrison checks it.
Dragneel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morrison.
Dragneel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dragneel.
Morrison misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Dragneel counters with a two punch combo.
Morrison uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dragneel has time to react.
Natsu Dragneel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morrison takes a swing at Dragneel's ribcage but misses.
Morrison throws a hook but Dragneel avoids it easily.
Dragneel connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Dragneel throws a head kick that half lands.
Dragneel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Morrison throws out the jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Morrison showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dragneel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrison lands a really nice looking cross but Dragneel seems unphased.
Dragneel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Morrison appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Dragneel fails to land with a series of punches.
Morrison throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Morrison connects with a looping right hand.
Nice uppercut there from Dragneel.
Dragneel throws a body punch but Morrison moves out of range.
Morrison scores with a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Morrison.
Morrison throws a lazy right hand but Dragneel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dragneel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dragneel with a nice calf kick.
Dragneel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Frank Morrison will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Dragneel looks to score with a jab to the body but Morrison is just out of range.
Dragneel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Morrison on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dragneel misses with a body shot.
Morrison throws a hook but Dragneel blocks it.
Dragneel scores with a shot to the body.

Morrison scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Morrison working the head and body with strikes.
Morrison working over Dragneel with some ground and pound. Dragneel looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Dragneel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dragneel.
Morrison wants to control from the top but Dragneel keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrison chips away with some ground and pound.
Dragneel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragneel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Morrison trying to control from the bottom.
Morrison is trying to get back to full guard.

Dragneel decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Dragneel ducks right into an uppercut from Morrison.
Dragneel scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Morrison doesn't seem bothered though.
Dragneel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dragneel lands a really nice looking cross but Morrison seems unphased.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrison keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Morrison misses with a looping left.
Morrison swinging wildly here.
Morrison displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dragneel throws out the jab.
Morrison lands a jab to Dragneel's midsection.
Natsu Dragneel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dragneel throws the left hand but Morrison avoids the punch easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Dragneel.
Morrison displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dragneel throws out the jab.
Morrison was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Dragneel swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Morrison.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dragneel loads up on a big right hand but Morrison slips the punch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dragneel.
Morrison scores with a jab. Dragneel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Dragneel lands but Morrison takes it in his stride.
Morrison throws a body shot but no joy.
And Dragneel tries to counter it with a takedown but Morrison pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Dragneel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Morrison throws a series of strikes that have Dragneel backpedaling.
Dragneel connects with an inside leg kick.
Morrison scores with a sloppy right hand. Dragneel should have avoided that one.
Morrison moves out of range as Dragneel strikes.
Dragneel throws a series of strikes that have Morrison backpedaling.
Morrison scores with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Morrison connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Morrison throws a right hand that Dragneel ducks under and follows up with a left that Dragneel also avoids with ease.
Morrison takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Dragneel misses with a wild body shot.
Dragneel slips under a jab.
Morrison takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragneel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Morrison with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice uppercut lands for Dragneel. That snapped Morrison's head back.
Morrison throws a hook to the side of Dragneel's head but Dragneel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dragneel throws out a counter right but Morrison avoids it with no problem.
Morrison swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragneel.
Dragneel misses with an uppercut
and Morrison counters with a stiff right hand.
Frank Morrison is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Morrison ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Morrison feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Dragneels jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Morrison lands with a cross.
Morrison takes one to the chin there.
Dragneel throws a body punch but Morrison moves out of range.
Dragneel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Morrison scores with a decent looking hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Natsu Dragneel.
I think Morrison 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 48:47
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Morrison!
Frank Morrison retains his welterweight title!
Frank Morrison seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.