PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Makhadinov (ranked 4187 p4p, 3149 weight class) and Zdravko Modric (ranked 383 p4p, 306 weight class). Zdravko Modric has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Makhadinov
vs
Modric

165 cm
25
143
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
145
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

The Dirty Needle Project
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ruslan Makhadinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zdravko Modric!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Dean Styles and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Modric throws a hook but Makhadinov blocks it.
Makhadinov misses with a wild body shot.
Modric dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Makhadinov. That did some damage!
Modric lands with a thumping leg kick.
Modric misses with a body kick.
Makhadinov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Modric lands a nice looking body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhadinov throws a nice looking combination but Modric bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Makhadinov avoids the body shot from Modric.
Makhadinov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Eagles MMA London in the buildup to the fight.
Zdravko Modric seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Modric loads up on a big right hand but Makhadinov slips the punch.
Makhadinov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Makhadinov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhadinov shoots in for a takedown but Modric shows good takedown defense.
Modric thumps Makhadinov with a low kick.
Makhadinov slips a straight right by Modric.
That kick from Modric tenderised Makhadinov's leg. Makhadinov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Makhadinov avoids the body shot from Modric.
Makhadinov throws a big counter combination but Modric scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Makhadinov moves out of range of the body kick.
Makhadinov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Zdravko Modric is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Makhadinov.
Makhadinov misses with a double jab
and Modric counters with a nice kick to the body.
Makhadinov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Modric.
Modric displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Makhadinov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Makhadinov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Modric does it's job there.
Modric is looking to slow Makhadinov down with leg kicks.
Modric has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Makhadinov moves away from the strike by Modric.
It looked like Makhadinov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Modric connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Makhadinov's hands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Modric leaves Makhadinov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Modric tries to land a body kick
and Makhadinov counters with a stiff right hand.
Modric explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Modric lets loose with a powerful body kick. Makhadinov will feel that in the morning.
Makhadinov is breathing heavily.
Modric throws out a loose jab but Makhadinov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Makhadinov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Modric.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Modric throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Modric lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A low kick lands for Modric.
Modric thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Makhadinov if he has to take too many more of those.
Crunch! Modric slams his shin into Makhadinov's torso.
Makhadinov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Modric explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Modric scores with a spinning back kick!
A chopping leg kick lands by Modric.
Modric scores with a nice body kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Modric. Makhadinov shrugs it off though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makhadinov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Modric. Makhadinov shrugs it off though.
Makhadinov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Modric. That one must have hurt.
Makhadinov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Modric throws a front kick that sends Makhadinov stumbling back into the cage.
An inside leg kick lands from Modric.
Makhadinov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A little feinted left hand from Makhadinov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Modric looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nice body kick there by Modric.
Modric turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Makhadinov. Those never looked like landing.
Crunch! Modric slams his shin into Makhadinov's torso.
Modric connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zdravko Modric dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Modric connects with a leg kick.
A jab lands there for Modric.
Modric looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Modric with a nice calf kick.
Modric connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Good shot there by Modric.
Modric stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Modric has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Modric cracks Makhadinov with an open hand slap.

Makhadinov is rocked!
Modric dodges the punch combination from Makhadinov.
Oh Makhadinov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Modric has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Crunch! Modric slams his shin into Makhadinov's torso.
Makhadinov seems to have got his legs back now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Modric.
Modric feints and then cracks Makhadinov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Makhadinov down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhadinov dives in for a single leg takedown but Modric sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Modric appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Modric misses the jab.
Nice body kick from Modric.
Ruslan Makhadinov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Makhadinov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Modric circles away quickly and effectively.
A thudding body kick lands there by Modric!
Modric looks for the body kick but Makhadinov saw that one coming.
Makhadinov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A lazy left from Modric finds it's target.
Makhadinov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Modric counters with an outside leg kick.
Modric lands with an overhand left.
Modric with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Modric throws a hook to the side of Makhadinov's head but Makhadinov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Modric fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
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!
Makhadinov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Modric defends well and Makhadinov ends up having to push Modric into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A big right from Modric misses.
Makhadinov slips a jab from Modric.
Modric looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Modric lands a leg kick that knocks Makhadinov off balance momentarily.
Modric with a nice calf kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Modric.
Modric lands a nice leg kick that just misses Makhadinov's sensitive parts.
Modric thumps Makhadinov with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhadinov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Modric as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Makhadinov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makhadinov moves out of range as Modric strikes.
Makhadinov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Modric fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Makhadinov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A solid body kick from Modric.
Makhadinov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Modric throws a shot from downtown. Makhadinov moves away and avoids it.
Makhadinov connects with a right hand. Modric shakes it off.
Makhadinov misses with the combination.
A nice leg kick lands there from Modric.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Modric throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Modric explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Makhadinov fails with the takedown.
Nice body kick from Modric.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Modric throws a nice inside leg kick.
Makhadinov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Modric can pounce on him.
Modric pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Modric cracks Makhadinov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Modric fakes the leg kick and cracks Makhadinov in the body.
Modric with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zdravko Modric showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Modric bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Modric scores with a nice body kick.
Nice body kick there by Modric.
Makhadinov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makhadinov's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Modric buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Modric explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A good leg kick by Modric.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Makhadinov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Makhadinov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Modric catches Makhadinov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Modric throws a shot from downtown. Makhadinov moves away and avoids it.
Makhadinov throws a big counter combination but Modric scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Modric throws a shot from downtown. Makhadinov moves away and avoids it.
Modric turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Modric lands a leg kick that knocks Makhadinov off balance momentarily.
Modric lands a nice looking body kick.
A solid body kick from Modric.
Modric fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Makhadinov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zdravko Modric seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Modric lands a nice looking kick to the body. Makhadinov takes a step back to recover.
Modric lands with a nice body kick.
Makhadinov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Modric.
Modric throws a body punch but Makhadinov moves out of range.
Modric lands a nice looking body kick.
Makhadinov takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Modric.
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!
Modric throws a front kick that sends Makhadinov stumbling back into the cage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Modric. That's going to slow Makhadinov down.
A good leg kick by Modric.
Modric fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Modric misses with a wild body shot.
Makhadinov is looking for a counter combo.
Modric with the inside leg kick.
Makhadinov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Modric.
Modric throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Makhadinov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Modric.
Modric lands a high kick!
Modric throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Makhadinov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Modric pushes Makhadinov up against the cage in a clinch.
Zdravko Modric is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Modric lands a body punch.

Modric breaks the clinch.
Makhadinov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A slapping body kick lands there for Modric.

Modric moves into range and clinches up with Makhadinov.
Modric missing with knees to the body.
Makhadinov is trying to break free.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Modric creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Makhadinov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Modric stalling the fight.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Modric.
Modric keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Makhadinov's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Modric breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Crunch! Modric slams his shin into Makhadinov's torso.
Modric bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Modric scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Makhadinov shoots and misses
and Modric counters with a leg kick.
Modric throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Modric with the inside leg kick.
Modric stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Modric wants it to stay on the feet.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Makhadinov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Modric - the referee stops the clock and Makhadinov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Modric. Makhadinov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ruslan Makhadinov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Modric connects with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zdravko Modric comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Modric has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 25:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zdravko Modric!
Our winner, Zdravko Modric, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.