PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thorn Drysdale (ranked 4655 p4p, 397 weight class) and Aleks Breznhev (ranked 2983 p4p, 289 weight class). Breznhev has chosen Death Grips - No Love as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Drysdale
vs
Breznhev

167 cm
25
149 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

161 cm
26
155 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thorn Drysdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleks Breznhev!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drysdale slaps away a takedown attempt from Breznhev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've been hearing reports that Drysdale has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Breznhev misses with a takedown attempt - Drysdale sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Drysdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Breznhev.
Breznhev looks to score with a jab to the body but Drysdale is just out of range.
Breznhev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drysdale.

Drysdale rushes Breznhev and presses him up against the cage.

Drysdale drags the fight down to the ground.

Drysdale has his foot on Breznhev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Breznhev works his way back into a safe position though.
Breznhev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Drysdale keeping full guard, as Breznhev tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Drysdale is on top in guard.

Drysdale is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Drysdale trying to control but Breznhev is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drysdale preventing the sweep.

Breznhev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Drysdale trying to control the position from guard on top but Breznhev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Breznhev is on top in guard.

Breznhev throws a strike but Drysdale rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Breznhev is on top in guard.

Drysdale controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale keeping moving, preventing Breznhev from controlling successfully.
Breznhev might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Drysdale haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Breznhev lands a couple of digs.
Drysdale is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Breznhev tries to roll over but Drysdale keeps him under control.
Drysdale throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Drysdale trying to control from half guard but Breznhev is working away.
Breznhev tries to get to full guard but Drysdale has control of the leg.
Breznhev is trying is best to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev wants to improve his position but Drysdale is controlling well.
Drysdale wants to pass to mount but Breznhev is defending the position.
Breznhev wants to get back to full guard.
Breznhev works his way to full guard. Good work.
Breznhev 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.
Drysdale is looking to work some ground and pound but Breznhev has wrist control.
Drysdale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Drysdale tries to free his leg and advance position but Breznhev is retaining full guard.
Breznhev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Drysdale.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Breznhev's guard.
Breznhev wants to get back to full guard.
Drysdale tries to pass to full mount but Breznhev defends it.
Drysdale lands strikes from half guard.

Drysdale is looking for a kimura but Breznhev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Drysdale to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Breznhev works his way to full guard. Good work.
Drysdale has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Drysdale postures up in Breznhev's guard and throws a big left but Breznhev blocks it.
Breznhev seems keen to control Drysdale's posture.
Breznhev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Breznhev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drysdale's guard.

Drysdale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Breznhev is one step ahead there.

Drysdale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thorn Drysdale dominated that 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.

Breznhev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Breznhev connects with a crisp jab.
Breznhev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drysdale.
Drysdale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Drysdale connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Drysdale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Breznhev manages to avoid it.
Breznhev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drysdale sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Breznhev somewhat.
Drysdale looks to score with a jab to the body but Breznhev is just out of range.
Breznhev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Breznhev avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Drysdale misses its intended target.
Breznhev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Drysdale pinned against the cage. Drysdale gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Drysdale throws a series of punches but Breznhev avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Breznhev tries for a takedown but Drysdale sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thorn Drysdale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleks Breznhev.
Drysdale cracks Breznhev with an open hand slap.
Breznhev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Drysdale avoids it really well and circles away.
Drysdale works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Drysdale looks to score with a jab to the body but Breznhev is just out of range.
Drysdale misses with a jab, cross combination.
Breznhev catches Drysdale with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Horrible takedown attempt by Breznhev or perhaps it was just good defense by Drysdale, which made it look bad.
Drysdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Breznhev.
Breznhev checks a leg kick.
Breznhev feints the counter takedown.
Drysdale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Drysdale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Breznhev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Drysdale napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Drysdale manages to get back to half guard.

Drysdale looking for submissions off his back.
Breznhev prevents Drysdale from improving his position.
Drysdale is working hard here to advance position.
Drysdale is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Breznhev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Breznhev's back!
Drysdale is trying to stick to Breznhev's back but Breznhev is turning into Drysdale. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Drysdale's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Breznhev.
Breznhev looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev slips nicely into half guard.
Drysdale wants to improve his position but Breznhev is controlling well.
Breznhev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Drysdale tries to get to full guard but Breznhev has control of the leg.
Drysdale taking some punishment here, with Breznhev in his half guard.
Drysdale slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Breznhev is working Drysdale over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Drysdale trying to keep a closed guard but Breznhev is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev throwing strikes but missing.
Breznhev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Thorn Drysdale overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Drysdale is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Breznhev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Drysdale is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Breznhev can do to turn this around?
Drysdale wants to improve his position but Breznhev is controlling well.
Drysdale is pressing down on Breznhev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Breznhev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Drysdale works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Breznhev pushes down on Drysdale's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Drysdale is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thorn Drysdale dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Drysdale throws a hook but Breznhev avoids it easily.
Drysdale jabs Breznhev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Breznhev fails with the takedown.
Breznhev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Drysdale uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Drysdale connects with a body shot that sends Breznhev's belly button to the back.
Breznhev shoots for a double leg takedown but Drysdale sprawls well. He's pushed Breznhev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Breznhev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Drysdale misses with a two punch combination.
Drysdale uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Breznhev has time to react.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Breznhev with that takedown attempt.
Thorn Drysdale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleks Breznhev.
Drysdale throws a push kick but Breznhev slaps the foot to one side.

Breznhev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Drysdale on his heels. He'll look to pass Drysdale's guard now, I'm sure.
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!
Breznhev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Breznhev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Breznhev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Drysdale tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Drysdale working a defensive guard here.
Drysdale bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Breznhev's guard.

Breznhev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Drysdale got a little sloppy there for a moment and Breznhev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Drysdale has managed to get both his arms back between Breznhev's legs - danger averted.
Drysdale throwing strikes but missing.
Drysdale tries to free his leg and advance position but Breznhev is retaining full guard.
Thorn Drysdale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Drysdale trying to control the position from guard on top but Breznhev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Breznhev looking for a sweep. Not yet Breznhev, not yet.
Breznhev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Drysdale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Drysdale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Breznhev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Breznhev keeping moving, preventing Drysdale from controlling successfully.
Drysdale controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thorn Drysdale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale throws a series of punches but Breznhev avoids them all with ease.
Breznhev shoots in and drives through. Drysdale sprawls well.
Breznhev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Donk. Drysdale catches Breznhev right on the button with a cross.
Drysdale tries to land a front kick but Breznhev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Drysdale connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Aleks Breznhev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Breznhev is defended easily by Drysdale.
Breznhev fails with the takedown
and Drysdale counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Breznhev thinking.
Breznhev shoots in looking for a takedown. Drysdale tries to sprawl out of it but Breznhev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Drysdale manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Drysdale misses.
Drysdale swinging wildly here.
Breznhev shoots for a takedown but Drysdale saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Thorn Drysdale is winning the standup battle so far.
Drysdale scores with a hook.
Drysdale throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Breznhev sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Drysdale closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Breznhev's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drysdale wants to control from the top but Breznhev keeps moving.
Breznhev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Drysdale controls the pace.
Drysdale stands and throws Breznhev's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Breznhev tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thorn Drysdale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Drysdale 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thorn Drysdale!
Thorn Drysdale gave a mention to Red Light Coffeeshop in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).