PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Valen Dreth (ranked 1182 p4p, 1178 weight class) and Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 145 p4p, 144 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dreth
vs
Al Balushi

175 cm
23
148
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
155
3 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

FF Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Urban Fighter
© Trap House

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valen Dreth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Franklyn Lucas and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Balushi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dreth.
Al Balushi lands a slapping body shot.
Zaid Al Balushi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick but Dreth sees it coming and moves out of range.
Al Balushi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dreth.
Dreth uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dreth misses with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a thumping low kick.
Al Balushi throws a low kick, looking for Dreth's leg but Dreth calmly moves out of range.
Al Balushi stuffs the takedown.
Dreth takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Dreth tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Balushi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Dreth appears to be looking for a big counter.
Al Balushi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Good exchange - Al Balushi coming out on top.
Al Balushi throws out a powerful jab.
Al Balushi throws a jab when Dreth was well out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Balushi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Al Balushi throws a push kick but Dreth slaps the foot to one side.
An attempted straight right counter from Dreth misses the target.
Dreth is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Balushi.
Al Balushi lands a right hook to the body.
Al Balushi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth throws a head kick but Al Balushi moves out of range.
Dreth stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Dreth looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Al Balushi just misses with a punch to the body.
Al Balushi throws a jab when Dreth was well out of range.
Al Balushi tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Balushi slips a jab from Dreth.
Zaid Al Balushi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Al Balushi misses.
Dreth is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Dreth avoids the body shot from Al Balushi.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Dreth lands a jab to the head.
Dreth will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nice body kick there by Al Balushi.
Dreth misses with the combination.
Dreth lands a nice hook to Al Balushi's body. Al Balushi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Al Balushi, as that shot connected.
Dreth moves out of range of the leg kick from Al Balushi.
Dreth blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Dreth takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Dreth lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Al Balushi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Al Balushi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Al Balushi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Al Balushi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dreth checks a low kick from Al Balushi.
We've been hearing reports that Dreth has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Al Balushi misses with a body kick.
Nice cross by Dreth.
Al Balushi looks to throw the jab but Dreth is out of range.
Dreth is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Dreth is looking to score with low kicks.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Al Balushi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Dreth has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Dreth and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Dreth throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A little jabbing left from Al Balushi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dreth throws a big shot that misses.
Al Balushi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Balushi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Al Balushi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick that knocks Dreth off balance momentarily.
Dreth throws a hook but Al Balushi avoids it easily.
Al Balushi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A head kick misses from Dreth.
Al Balushi throws a low kick, looking for Dreth's leg but Dreth calmly moves out of range.
Al Balushi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice body punch from Al Balushi.
Dreth moves out of range as Al Balushi throws a body kick.
Al Balushi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dreth.
Al Balushi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A nice leg kick from Al Balushi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dreth lands with an overhand left.
Al Balushi throws a front kick aimed at Dreth's knee but Dreth avoids it well.
Dreth looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Al Balushi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Dreth checks it well.
Al Balushi looks to land a left hand but Dreth moved out of range nicely.
Dreth looks to land a left hand but Al Balushi moved out of range nicely.
It seemed like Al Balushi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Al Balushi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Dreth throws a sloppy head kick and Al Balushi moves out of range easily.
Al Balushi scores with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Al Balushi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dreth scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Dreth misses with a body shot.
Dreth thows a left - swing and a miss!
Al Balushi looks to throw the jab but Dreth is out of range.
Al Balushi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Al Balushi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dreth moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Al Balushi wants to slow Dreth down by chopping away at his legs.
Al Balushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dreth.
Dreth seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dreth. Al Balushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dreth misses with a head kick.
Dreth fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Al Balushi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Al Balushi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A low kick from Al Balushi misses
and Dreth connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A leg kick checked by Al Balushi.
Dreth misses with a left hand
and Al Balushi counters with a thumping low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Al Balushi lands a front kick.
Al Balushi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Al Balushi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Al Balushi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Dreth had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Dreth looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Al Balushi, as that shot connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Al Balushi misses the shot to the body.

Dreth looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Dreth drops back, looking for a kneebar! Al Balushi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Al Balushi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Al Balushi!

Dreth is trying to control Al Balushi's posture but Al Balushi avoids it.
Dreth is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dreth is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Al Balushi off and has taken his back!
What can Al Balushi do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Al Balushi for as long as he can get away with.
Al Balushi trying to control the position but Dreth manages to sink in the hooks.

Dreth is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Al Balushi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Al Balushi for a finish.

Dreth looking for the choke but no joy.
Al Balushi felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Al Balushi can't escape the position.

Dreth is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Al Balushi is defending well though. Dreth let's go of the attempt for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dreth working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Al Balushi rolls, trying to escape but Dreth keeps control of the position.

Dreth looking for the choke but no joy.

Al Balushi fending off the submission attempt from Dreth.

Al Balushi defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Dreth's arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dreth tries to get the hooks in deep but Al Balushi pushed the leg off.

Dreth has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Dreth has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
I really don't envy Al Balushi right now.
Dreth struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dreth is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Dreth looking for the choke but no joy.

Al Balushi is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Dreth is persistently looking for the submission but Al Balushi is defending it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Balushi is in bad spot here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valen Dreth dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Al Balushi slips under a jab.
Al Balushi scores with a nice right hand.
Al Balushi throws a wild body kick that Dreth sees coming a mile off.
Al Balushi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Al Balushi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dreth's sensitive parts.
Al Balushi throws a push kick but Dreth slaps the foot to one side.
Dreth is looking to score with low kicks.
Al Balushi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dreth tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Balushi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Al Balushi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Dreth tries to score a power double leg takedown but Al Balushi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dreth somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Al Balushi wants to slow Dreth down by chopping away at his legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Al Balushi.
Zaid Al Balushi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Al Balushi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Al Balushi connects with an inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Al Balushi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth avoids a kick to the body.
Dreth takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Dreth misses with a takedown attempt - Al Balushi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It seemed like Al Balushi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dreth lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Al Balushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dreth.
Al Balushi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dreth. That did some damage!
Dreth throws a sloppy head kick and Al Balushi moves out of range easily.
Al Balushi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A little feinted left hand from Dreth on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dreth ducks right into an uppercut from Al Balushi.
Dreth chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Dreth throws a low kick, looking for Al Balushi's leg but Al Balushi calmly moves out of range.
Al Balushi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Al Balushi blocks a head kick by Dreth.
Al Balushi tries to move into range but Dreth moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dreth slips a straight right by Al Balushi.
Dreth on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Balushi. Al Balushi obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good work by Dreth as he checks the leg kick.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Dreth.
Al Balushi wants to land a leg kick but Dreth is out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Al Balushi.
Dreth takes one on the button.
Dreth is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Dreth throws a jab but it's blocked by Al Balushi.
Al Balushi clobbers Dreth with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Dreth misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dreth changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Al Balushi tries to avoid it but Dreth manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Al Balushi to the ground. Al Balushi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valen Dreth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Balushi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Al Balushi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Dreth is out of range.
Dreth blocks a low kick nicely.
Dreth walks into a stiff left hand from Al Balushi.
Dreth throws a shot from downtown. Al Balushi moves away and avoids it.
Dreth scores with a hook to the body. Al Balushi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Al Balushi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Dreth steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Al Balushi. That one must have hurt.
Al Balushi is looking to land body kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi thumps Dreth with a low kick.
Al Balushi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Al Balushi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Dreth looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but Dreth avoids it.
Al Balushi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Al Balushi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dreth throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Al Balushi wants to slow Dreth down by chopping away at his legs.
Al Balushi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Al Balushi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Dreth blocks the body kick.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Al Balushi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dreth throws out the jab.
Al Balushi throws a lazy right hand but Dreth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Al Balushi misses with a wild combination.
Al Balushi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dreth feinted with a counter takedown.
Dreth looks for a takedown but Al Balushi sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dreth works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Dreth lands with an overhand left.
A telegraphed right hand from Al Balushi misses the target.
Al Balushi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Some bone on bone action there as Al Balushi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Dreth waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Al Balushi.
Dreth throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Al Balushi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Dreth throwing a counter right hand but Al Balushi manages to avoid it.
Dreth just misses with a punch to the body.
Dreth loads up on a big right hand but Al Balushi slips the punch.
Al Balushi feints a counter leg kick.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick
and Dreth makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Al Balushi really felt that one!
Good work by Dreth as he checks the leg kick.
Al Balushi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Al Balushi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dreth.
A lazy body kick from Al Balushi
and Dreth counters with a straight right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zaid Al Balushi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Al Balushi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zaid Al Balushi!
An out of breath Zaid Al Balushi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.