PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thioon Phitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valko Dragov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dragov has chosen Go to Sleep - Eminem, Obie Trice, & DMX as his entrance music. Valko Dragov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Phitch
vs
Dragov

174 cm
28
163 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

165 cm
27
160 lbs
7 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thioon Phitch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Valko Dragov!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dragov drives through with a takedown into Phitch's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Dragov pushing down on Phitch's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Phitch is positioning himself well to prevent Dragov advancing to mount.
Dragov wants to free his trapped foot but Phitch is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Phitch is controlling Dragov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Dragov wants to pass to mount but Phitch is defending the position.
Dragov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Phitch's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dragov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Phitch sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dragov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Dragov is working for a kimura but Phitch is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragov wants to free his trapped foot but Phitch is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Phitch gets full guard.
Dragov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Phitch is keeping the position for now.
Dragov trying to control the position from guard on top but Phitch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phitch 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.
Dragov throws an elbow that misses. Phitch uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dragov's guard. Nice move by Phitch!

Dragov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Dragov wants to sweep here but Phitch controlling him for the moment.

Dragov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Phitch can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dragov being controlled here, momentarily.
Dragov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Phitch is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Phitch preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phitch has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Phitch wanted to stand there but Dragov had control of the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Dragov trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dragov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Phitch avoids it really well and circles away.
Dragov staying out of range there.
Dragov walks into a straight right hand from Phitch.
Dragov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dragov misses with a wild body shot.
Phitch lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Phitch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dragov manages to avoid it.
Dragov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thioon Phitch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valko Dragov.
Phitch lands a really nice looking cross but Dragov seems unphased.

Dragov is rocked!
Phitch stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Phitch wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - Phitch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dragov fails with a takedown attempt.
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!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Phitch.
Dragov is still on wobbly legs! Can Phitch finish him?
Phitch cracks Dragov with a brutal left hook that knocks him out cold! This one is over in a flash! Game over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Thioon Phitch!