PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Grigori Draugovich Ii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fantinaz Del Norte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Del Norte's choice of entrance music: La Coka Nostra - Malverde Market. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Draugovich Ii
vs
Del Norte

175 cm
31
145 lbs
21 - 11 - 1

165 cm
37
141 lbs
23 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Grand Champion Apparel
Spartan Nutrition

GREEN!160
Maximum Vitality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Grigori Draugovich Ii!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Fantinaz Del Norte!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Draugovich Ii throws a combination. Del Norte tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fantinaz Del Norte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Del Norte avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab by Del Norte.
Del Norte looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Del Norte misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Draugovich Ii counter with a right hand.
An inside leg kick lands from Draugovich Ii.
Del Norte misses the jab.
Draugovich Ii jabs Del Norte to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Del Norte punishes Draugovich Ii's body with a nice straight punch.
Del Norte smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Draugovich Ii scores with a kick to the midsection.
A cross from Del Norte lands.
Del Norte throws an overhand right that lands on Draugovich Ii's shoulder, as Draugovich Ii tries to avoid the shot.
Del Norte with a hook.
Del Norte lands a lovely overhand right.
Del Norte looks to throw a body kick

and Draugovich Ii counters with a single leg into guard. Del Norte didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Draugovich Ii controlling from the top position.

Del Norte is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Draugovich Ii trying to control but Del Norte is working from the bottom.
Draugovich Ii is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Draugovich Ii trying to control but Del Norte is working from the bottom.

Draugovich Ii avoids a guillotine attempt 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.
Del Norte lands an upkick as Draugovich Ii stands over him.
Draugovich Ii stays in close to Del Norte's body and controls the position.

Del Norte is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Draugovich Ii looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Del Norte wants to sweep but no luck.
Draugovich Ii wants to control from the top but Del Norte keeps moving.
Del Norte is trying to control the position but Draugovich Ii postures up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Draugovich Ii is fending him off so far but Del Norte persists. Nope, Draugovich Ii circles away and we're back to standing.
Draugovich Ii drops down looking for a counter takedown but Del Norte sprawls and moves away.
Del Norte lands an overhand right.
Draugovich Ii lands a body shot.
Donk. Del Norte catches Draugovich Ii right on the button with a cross.
Draugovich Ii throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Del Norte looks for a takedown but Draugovich Ii sprawls well.
Draugovich Ii scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Del Norte doesn't seem bothered though.

Draugovich Ii moves into the clinch.
Draugovich Ii prevents the takedown attempt.
Grigori Draugovich Ii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fantinaz Del Norte.

Draugovich Ii has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Del Norte regains guard immediately.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Draugovich Ii trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Draugovich Ii is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Del Norte working for a triangle but Draugovich Ii defends it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Draugovich Ii trying to control but Del Norte is working from the bottom.
Draugovich Ii has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Del Norte is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Del Norte is trying to control the position but Draugovich Ii postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grigori Draugovich Ii dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Draugovich Ii tries to score with a low kick but Del Norte moves his leg out of the way.
Del Norte has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Del Norte scores with a sloppy right hand. Draugovich Ii should have avoided that one.
Del Norte throws a lazy right hand but Draugovich Ii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A shot to the liver by Draugovich Ii. Beautiful body shot.
Del Norte moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fantinaz Del Norte seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Draugovich Ii throws a right and a left that Del Norte avoids nicely.
Del Norte takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Draugovich Ii has a takedown stuffed.
Del Norte throws a big shot that misses.
Draugovich Ii connects with a looping right hand.
Del Norte throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Del Norte shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Del Norte is working Draugovich Ii over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Draugovich Ii wants to sweep here but Del Norte controlling him for the moment.
Del Norte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Norte is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Del Norte is in close to Draugovich Ii's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Del Norte trying to control the position from guard on top but Draugovich Ii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Del Norte loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Del Norte trying to control the position from guard on top but Draugovich Ii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Draugovich Ii has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Del Norte can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Del Norte trying to control the position from guard on top but Draugovich Ii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Del Norte is working Draugovich Ii over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

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.
Draugovich Ii keeping full guard, as Del Norte tries to pass.
Del Norte slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Draugovich Ii manages to work his way to half guard, despite Del Norte's best efforts.
Del Norte is keen to just control but Draugovich Ii is a slippery customer.
Del Norte prevents Draugovich Ii from improving his position.

Del Norte is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Draugovich Ii gets back to full guard.
Fantinaz Del Norte has got the better of the ground game so far.
Del Norte trying to control the position from guard on top but Draugovich Ii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Draugovich Ii looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Draugovich Ii has an active guard here but Del Norte has managed to pass into half guard.
Draugovich Ii avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Del Norte.
Draugovich Ii tries to get to full guard but Del Norte has control of the leg.
Draugovich Ii is working hard here to advance position.
Del Norte passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Draugovich Ii!
Del Norte is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Del Norte tries to control but Draugovich Ii wriggling away.
Del Norte with good strikes from the mount here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte avoids the attempt from Draugovich Ii to control.
The referee warns Draugovich Ii that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Del Norte connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Draugovich Ii is rocked!
Del Norte scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Oh Draugovich Ii is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Del Norte trying to control but Draugovich Ii is having none of it.
Del Norte is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Del Norte prevents Draugovich Ii from getting the reversal.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Del Norte landing strikes, looking to finish!
Draugovich Ii bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Del Norte looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Del Norte is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Draugovich Ii is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fantinaz Del Norte showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Draugovich Ii's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Draugovich Ii looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Draugovich Ii seems to have got his legs back now.
Del Norte works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Del Norte misses with a kick to the body.
Draugovich Ii tries to counter with a takedown but Del Norte is quick to defend against it.
Draugovich Ii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Draugovich Ii closes the distance looking to clinch
and Del Norte counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Del Norte misses with a body shot.
Del Norte misses with a straight left.
Del Norte looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Del Norte jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Del Norte connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Draugovich Ii scores with a shot to the body.
Del Norte scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Draugovich Ii doesn't seem bothered though.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Del Norte, as that shot connected.
Del Norte shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Draugovich Ii as he jumps to the side.
Del Norte has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Draugovich Ii slips a jab and a cross from Del Norte.
Draugovich Ii seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Draugovich Ii keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Del Norte.
Draugovich Ii tries to close the distance and clinch up but Del Norte swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Del Norte pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Draugovich Ii is looking to wear down Del Norte with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Draugovich Ii misses with a straight right.

Del Norte looking to score a takedown here. Draugovich Ii is defending well but Del Norte drives through and ends up in Draugovich Ii's guard.

Draugovich Ii working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Del Norte doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Del Norte manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Del Norte trying to control but Draugovich Ii is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Del Norte got a little sloppy there for a moment and Draugovich Ii has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Del Norte has managed to get both his arms back between Draugovich Ii's legs - danger averted.
Del Norte wants to control from the top but Draugovich Ii keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Del Norte is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Del Norte loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Del Norte's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Draugovich Ii is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Del Norte defends well.
Del Norte missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Del Norte passes into half guard.
Draugovich Ii tries to get to full guard but Del Norte has control of the leg.

Del Norte is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Draugovich Ii has managed to free his arm - good work.
Draugovich Ii wants to improve his position but Del Norte is controlling well.

Del Norte is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Draugovich Ii defends it well.
Del Norte passes to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Draugovich Ii!
Draugovich Ii is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Draugovich Ii sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Draugovich Ii looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Del Norte working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Del Norte prevents Draugovich Ii from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fantinaz Del Norte really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Draugovich Ii has a takedown stuffed.
A little jabbing left from Del Norte on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Del Norte fakes the leg kick and cracks Draugovich Ii in the body.

Del Norte gets a double leg takedown into Draugovich Ii's guard.
Del Norte distracts Draugovich Ii with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Draugovich Ii has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Del Norte has passed into side control.

Del Norte tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Del Norte has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Draugovich Ii looks to move to half guard but instead Del Norte has passed into mount! Damn!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Del Norte looking to control and managing it successfully.
Draugovich Ii regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Draugovich Ii wants to get back to his feet.
Draugovich Ii moves into full guard.
Draugovich Ii looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Del Norte throws a big right hand that misses.

Draugovich Ii throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Del Norte wants to control from the top but Draugovich Ii keeps moving.
Del Norte is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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.
Draugovich Ii looking to hit a scissor sweep but Del Norte is one step ahead there.
Draugovich Ii bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Del Norte's guard.

Del Norte 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.

Del Norte working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Draugovich Ii has passed into half guard!
Del Norte trying to control but Draugovich Ii postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Draugovich Ii.
Draugovich Ii prevents Del Norte from improving his position.
Del Norte makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Del Norte.
Del Norte trying to keep a closed guard but Draugovich Ii is proving a slippery customer.

Del Norte is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Draugovich Ii defends well.

Del Norte escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Draugovich Ii gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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.

Del Norte throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Del Norte looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Draugovich Ii has picked Del Norte up and slammed him! Del Norte can't keep hold of the triangle and Draugovich Ii manages to pass to side control!
Draugovich Ii controls the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Del Norte is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fantinaz Del Norte dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Draugovich Ii jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Draugovich Ii tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Del Norte was well out of range. Poor timing from Draugovich Ii.
Del Norte digs a good body shot into Draugovich Ii's ribs.
Good exchange - Draugovich Ii coming out on top.
Del Norte throws a body shot but no joy.
Draugovich Ii changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Draugovich Ii fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Del Norte manages to avoid it.
Draugovich Ii fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Del Norte manages to avoid it.
Del Norte is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Del Norte. Draugovich Ii does a little dance to reset his feet.
Draugovich Ii swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little jabbing left from Del Norte on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Draugovich Ii throws a head kick but Del Norte moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Del Norte lands a jab to the head.
Del Norte throws a right hand that Draugovich Ii ducks under and follows up with a left that Draugovich Ii also avoids with ease.
Draugovich Ii attempts a counter takedown but Del Norte avoids it well and moves away.

Del Norte shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Del Norte was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Del Norte is looking to take a break and control but Draugovich Ii is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Draugovich Ii tries to improve position but can't.
Del Norte controlling the position from side mount.

Del Norte is trying to get an arm triangle but Draugovich Ii is defending well.
Draugovich Ii tries to bench press Del Norte off him but Del Norte keeps the position.
Del Norte tries to move into full mount but can't pass Draugovich Ii's legs.
Draugovich Ii is looking for a sweep.
Grigori Draugovich Ii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
A lull in the action here.
Draugovich Ii is not content to let Del Norte control the position.

Del Norte tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Del Norte throws a strike aimed at the side of Draugovich Ii's head but Draugovich Ii avoids it well.
Draugovich Ii takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Draugovich Ii tries to bench press Del Norte off him but Del Norte keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Del Norte wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Draugovich Ii, who protects the arm well.
Draugovich Ii tries to buck Del Norte off but Del Norte is having none of it.

Del Norte is trying to get an arm triangle but Draugovich Ii is defending well.
Del Norte is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Draugovich Ii will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Del Norte landing a few strikes.
Draugovich Ii is looking for a sweep.
Del Norte tries to move to mount but Draugovich Ii blocks the move with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Draugovich Ii is looking to reverse the position.
Del Norte working the head with strikes.

Del Norte wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Draugovich Ii, who protects the arm well.

Del Norte tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Del Norte has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Draugovich Ii manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Del Norte not doing much here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Draugovich Ii moves into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fantinaz Del Norte comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Del Norte 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fantinaz Del Norte!
Fantinaz Del Norte is the new featherweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Fantinaz Del Norte started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.