PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Khal Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Drysdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drago's entrance music is We Steady Mobbin!. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Drysdale's choice of entrance music: Jadakiss - The Champ Is Here. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Drago
vs
Drysdale

193 cm
27
205 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

192 cm
25
205 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khal Drago!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert Drysdale!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drago stuffs the takedown.
Drysdale fails with the takedown.

Drago forces Drysdale back against the cage and clinches.
Drysdale wants a takedown.
Khal Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Drysdale.
Drysdale drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drysdale is working for takedown but Drago is calmly controlling the position for now.

Drago jumps into guard, dragging Drysdale to the mat.
Drago looking for a sweep. Not yet Drago, not yet.
Drago is pulling down on Drysdale's head to control his posture.
Drago not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Drysdale is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Drago trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Khal Drago.
Drago throws a right hand that Drysdale ducks under and follows up with a left that Drysdale also avoids with ease.
Drago throws a combination. Drysdale tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Drysdale shoots in for a takedown but Drago shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Khal Drago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Drago misses with the combination.
Drago looks to land a combination but Drysdale avoids it well.
Drago tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Drago misses with a series of wild punches.
Drago fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drago stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Drago wants it to stay on the feet.
Drysdale shoots in for a double leg but Drago sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drysdale shoots for a double leg takedown but Drago sprawls well. He's pushed Drysdale's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Drago tries to clinch but Drysdale moves out of range.
Drysdale fails with the takedown.
Drysdale shoots in for a takedown but Drago shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale shoots in for a takedown but Drago shows good takedown defense.
Drysdale looks gassed!
Drysdale shoots in for a double leg but Drago sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drago works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Drysdale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drago is looking to clinch.
Drago stuffs the takedown attempt from Drysdale. Drysdale gets slowly back to his feet.
Drago scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Drago jabs Drysdale right on the nose. Drysdale blinks but takes it well.
Drago tries to clinch but Drysdale moves out of range.
Drago stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drago sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Drysdale somewhat.

Drago clinches.

Drago manages to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drago is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Drago wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Drago's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Drago is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khal Drago dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Drysdale shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Drago as he avoids it easily.

Drago gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Drago throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Drysdales head.

Drago gets control of Drysdale's arms and successfully pulls guard. Drago will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Drago is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Drysdale wants to pass the guard but Drago is keeping the position.
Drago knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Drysdale on the ground.
Drysdale advances to half guard.

Drysdale is looking for a kimura here.
Drysdale is breathing heavily.
Drago desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Drysdale is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Drago defends it well.
Drago is trying to maintain the position but Drysdale is very close to passing his half guard.
Drago won't allow Drysdale to pass to mount.
Drago has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Drysdale is working away from the top position though.

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.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Drago is trying to get back to full guard.
Drago moves into full guard.

Drago working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Drysdale has passed into half guard!

Drago is defending against the submission attempts here by Drysdale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago wants to improve his position but Drysdale is controlling well.
Drago trying to control but Drysdale postures up.
Drago is controlling Drysdale's trapped leg to prevent Drysdale from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Khal Drago wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Drago wants to clinch up but Drysdale keeps it at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Drysdale.
Drago throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Drysdale.
Drago scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Drysdale changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Drago tries to avoid it but Drysdale manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Drago to the ground. Drago escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Khal Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Drysdale.
Drago throws a series of punches but Drysdale moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drago tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Drysdale manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Drago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Drysdale paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khal Drago dominated that second round.
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.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Drysdale.
Drysdale fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Drago avoids it really well and circles away.
Drago is looking to clinch.
Drago tries to clinch but Drysdale is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Drago moves into the clinch successfully.

Drago breaks the clinch.
Drysdale misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Khal Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Drysdale.
Drysdale circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drysdale swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drysdale shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Drago pinned against the cage. Drago gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Drago tries to clinch there but Drysdale circles away.
Drago doesn't manage to clinch there - Drysdale circles away.
Khal Drago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Drago is looking to clinch but Drysdale is avoiding it.
Drago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Drysdale paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Drago tries to clinch there but Drysdale circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Drysdale misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Drysdale fails with a takedown attempt.
Drysdale shoots in for a takedown but Drago shows good takedown defense.
Drysdale takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Drago tries to clinch but Drysdale moves out of range.

Drago moves into the clinch.

Drago manages to break the clinch.
Drysdale closes this distance looking for a takedown but Drago circles away.
Drysdale fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Drago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Drysdale circles away quickly and effectively.
Drysdale is trying desperately to land a takedown but Drago is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Drysdale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Drago closes the distance and clinches.

Drago ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Drago no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Drago keeping full guard, as Drysdale tries to pass.
Drago is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ground and pound from Drago.
Drago drops an elbow to the side of Drysdale's head.
Drago wants to stand but Drysdale has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago working the head and body with strikes.
Drago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Drago drops an elbow to the side of Drysdale's head.
Drago lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Drago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Drysdale trying to control but Drago postures up.
Drago winds up and cracks Drysdale with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Drago seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Drysdale's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khal Drago clearly takes that round.
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.

Drago tries to bum rush Drysdale with a series of wild strikes but Drysdale uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Drago tries to clinch up but Drysdale circles away and keeps his distance.
Drago connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Drago lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Drago tries to clinch up.
Drysdale shoots in for a takedown but Drago shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Drago connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Drago darts in and clinches Drysdale up against the cage.
Drysdale changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Drago fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Drysdale is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Drago pushes Drysdale up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drago jumps guard and drags Drysdale to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Drago looking to hit a scissor sweep but Drysdale is one step ahead there.
Drago has Drysdale pulled in close to control his posture.

Drago throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Drago had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Drysdale defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Drysdale drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Drysdale jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drysdale wants to control from the top but Drago keeps moving.
Drago throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Drago working for a triangle but Drysdale defends it easily.

Drago has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Drysdale can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale trying to control but Drago is working from the bottom.

Drysdale is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Drago had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Drysdale defends it easily.

That's four 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.
Drago is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Drago is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Drago keeping moving, preventing Drysdale from controlling successfully.

Drysdale postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Drago is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Drysdale, into his guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Drago accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khal Drago had his way with Robert Drysdale in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Drago misses with a leg kick.

Drysdale shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Drago is trying to defend but Drysdale finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Drysdale seems to be working for a kimura but Drago defends the submission attempt.
Drago controlling the position for now.
Drysdale is looking to take a break and control but Drago is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Drysdale is looking for a kimura here.
Drysdale is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago trying to control but Drysdale postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Drago is holding on to half guard well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Khal Drago.
Drysdale shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Drago but Drago pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Drysdale shoots in for a double leg but Drago sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drysdale has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Drysdale shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Drago pinned against the cage. Drago gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Khal Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Drysdale.

Drago instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Drago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Drysdale moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice sprawl there from Drago as Drysdale shoots in.
Drago misses with the combination.
Drysdale shoots in for a double leg but Drago sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Khal Drago is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Drago stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Drago wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Drysdale.
Drago scores with a one two! Drysdale had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Drysdale gets tackled into the cage by Drago. Drago maintains the clinch.

Drago jumps guard.
Drago trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Drago has his foot on Drysdale's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Drysdale works his way back into a safe position though.
Robert Drysdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Drago trying to keep a closed guard but Drysdale is proving a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khal Drago showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Drago has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 50:45
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:45
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khal Drago!
Khal Drago retains his light heavyweight title!