PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Lopez (ranked 4743 p4p, 0 weight class) and Courtney Drake (ranked 6049 p4p, 0 weight class). Lopez comes to the cage accompanied by Cartel de Santa Perros. Daniel Lopez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lopez
vs
Drake

180 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

191 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Daniel Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Courtney Drake!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drake throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Drake misses with a combination
and Lopez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lopez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Drake can pounce on him.
Lopez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Lopez tries to bum rush Drake with a series of wild strikes but Drake uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Drake avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drake closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Drake is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lopez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Drake is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lopez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Drake gets caught napping as Lopez dives in and scores a takedown. Drake manages to retain guard.
Drake is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lopez is controlling him.

Lopez stands and steps away. Drake gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Drake counters with a left to the body.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drake throws a big counter head kick but Lopez avoids it with no problem.
Daniel Lopez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Drake closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lopez trying to hold on to Drake's head to control him but Drake postures up.
Lopez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Drake tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Lopez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Lopez uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Drake is looking to stand up but Lopez won't let him.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lopez is on top in guard.

Drake is wriggling around but Lopez manages to pass to half guard.
Drake is looking to get back to is feet but Lopez passes into side control.
Drake is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake is looking to get back to his feet here but Lopez is keeping cool and he's managed to take Drake's back.
Lopez really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Drake.
Drake is trying to stand back up.
Lopez just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

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.

Drake is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Lopez off. It looks like it's working - Lopez slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Drake displaying calm under pressure there.

Drake throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lopez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Drake is in Lopez's guard.

Lopez kicks Drake off and gets to his feet.
Drake connects with a leg kick. Lopez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Drake misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lopez shoots in for a double leg but Drake sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Lopez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drake circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lopez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Drake avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Daniel Lopez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Lopez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Drake fails with a takedown attempt.
Courtney Drake seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Drake gets tackled into the cage by Lopez. Lopez maintains the clinch.

Lopez manages to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lopez controlling the position.

Drake stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick from Drake lands but Lopez takes it in his stride.
Daniel Lopez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lopez dodges the punch combination from Drake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake throws a shot to the body.
Drake connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Drake enables Lopez to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Drake manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Drake wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Lopez manages to pass to side control.

Drake manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Lopez keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Drake breaks the clinch.
An inside leg kick lands from Drake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drake sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lopez somewhat.
Drake blocks a leg kick.
And Drake tries to counter it with a takedown but Lopez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

Lopez has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Drake is on him like a limpet, forcing Lopez back against the cage.

Drake's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Drake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez tries to clinch there but Drake circles away.
Drake connects with a leg kick. Lopez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Drake keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lopez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Drake defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Lopez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drake keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lopez.
Lopez moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromDrake.
Nice sprawl there from Lopez as Drake shoots in.
As Drake tries to get set, Lopez tries to push him back and clinch up but Drake manages to avoid the attempt.
Drake misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Drake tries a head kick but it misses.
Lopez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Drake tries a head kick but it misses.
Lopez closes the distance and clinches up with Drake, looking for a takedown. Lopez pushes Drake against the cage but Drake circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Drake only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Drake throws a nice head kick!
Drake changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lopez clinches up against the cage.

Drake breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drake throws a nice looking combination but Lopez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Courtney Drake showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Lopez shoots in for a double leg but Drake sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drake swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Drake as he avoids it easily.

Drake tries to keep at a distance but Lopez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lopez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Drake.
Lopez effectively controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Drake avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Lopez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lopez tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drake gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Lopez regains guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Lopez manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lopez.

Drake escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Drake drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drake tries to stand but Lopez controls the position and pulls Drake into his guard.
Drake has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lopez is proving hard to escape from.
Lopez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drake's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lopez drops back looking for a leg! Drake is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Drake manages to kick Lopez off! Lopez jumps back into Drake's guard.
Lopez stops Drake from standing up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Drake can do anything to dispel that myth.

Drake manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Drake throws a one two combo.
Drake stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Drake wants it to stay on the feet.
Drake now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Drake defends well and Lopez ends up having to push Drake into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lopez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Drake circles away.

Drake shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lopez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Drake has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lopez is proving hard to escape from.

Drake decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lopez, up you get!
Drake throws a sloppy head kick and Lopez moves out of range easily.
Lopez appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Drake. Beautiful body shot.
Lopez avoids the head kick by Drake.
Lopez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Drake counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Drake goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Drake throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lopez tries to close the distance and clinch but Drake swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Good leg kick by Drake there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drake lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Drake closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lopez did well to prevent Drake getting side control.

Lopez kicks Drake off and gets back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Lopez showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Daniel Lopez!