PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zdravko Zdravkov (ranked 2762 p4p, 2373 weight class) and Conor OShea (ranked 381 p4p, 341 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Zdravkov
vs
OShea

185 cm
27
184
8 - 7 - 0

210 cm
34
180
10 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zdravko Zdravkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor OShea!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Topper Green and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OShea throws a head kick that misses.
Zdravkov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Zdravkov has his takedown stuffed
and Zdravkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zdravkov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zdravkov there as he acknowledges the shot.
OShea stuffs the takedown attempt from Zdravkov. Zdravkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Zdravkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zdravko Zdravkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
OShea lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zdravkov at a distance.
A head kick from OShea lands but Zdravkov takes it in his stride.

It looks like Zdravko Zdravkov has been cut.
OShea has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
OShea looks to score with a jab to the body but Zdravkov is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OShea throws a lazy right hand but Zdravkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
OShea tries a head kick but it misses.
Zdravkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but OShea sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zdravkov somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zdravkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

OShea fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zdravkov sprawls well initially but OShea persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Zdravkov trying to hold on to OShea's head to control him but OShea postures up.
OShea trying to control from half guard but Zdravkov is working away.
Zdravkov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Zdravkov is pressing down on OShea's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Zdravkov has his foot on OShea's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. OShea works his way back into a safe position though.
Zdravkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zdravkov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Zdravkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zdravkov throwing short punches from the bottom.
OShea trying to control but Zdravkov is working from the bottom.
Zdravkov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in OShea's guard.

OShea working for a triangle but Zdravkov defends it easily.
Zdravkov pushing down on OShea's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
OShea taking some punishment here, with Zdravkov in his half guard.
Zdravkov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zdravkov is trying to control the action in half guard but OShea is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zdravkov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zdravkov seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead OShea has recovered full guard.
Zdravkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of OShea's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zdravkov wants to control from the top but OShea keeps moving.
Zdravkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Zdravkov is working OShea over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zdravkov postures up in OShea's guard and throws a big left but OShea blocks it.
Zdravkov throwing strikes from guard but OShea blocks nicely.
OShea has his hands on Zdravkov's head, controlling the position.
Zdravkov trying to control the position from guard on top but OShea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zdravkov throws a big elbow that misses.
Zdravkov 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.
Zdravkov lands a couple of elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zdravkov is looking to work some ground and pound but OShea has wrist control.
Zdravkov trying to control the position from guard on top but OShea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
OShea wants to sweep but no luck.
Zdravkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
OShea scores with the left hand. Zdravkov knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor OShea dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zdravko Zdravkov's cut.
That's time! Zdravkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

OShea swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zdravkov goes for a double leg but OShea avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as OShea continues to drive forward.
Zdravkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from OShea.
OShea is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Zdravkov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

OShea manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Zdravkov keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Zdravkov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. OShea gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

OShea breaks from the clinch.

OShea looking to score a takedown here. Zdravkov is defending well but OShea drives through and ends up in Zdravkov's guard.
OShea has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OShea wants to stand but Zdravkov is controlling his posture from full guard.
OShea pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zdravkov is keeping the position for now.
Zdravkov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
OShea throwing strikes but missing.
Zdravkov lands a decent punch to the body there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zdravkov striking off his back but it's not causing OShea any problems.
Zdravkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zdravkov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Zdravkov trying to keep a closed guard but OShea is proving a slippery customer.
Zdravkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but OShea is one step ahead there.
OShea wants to pass the guard but Zdravkov is keeping the position.
OShea won't allow Zdravkov to sweep him here.
Zdravkov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
OShea passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Conor OShea has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zdravkov is trying to control OShea's posture but OShea avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
OShea postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Zdravkov misses with an elbow from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zdravkov manages to get back to half guard.
Zdravkov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
OShea frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
OShea moves to take his opponent's back.

OShea looking for the choke from the back.
OShea controlling well, preventing Zdravkov from escaping the position.
OShea gets his hands free as Zdravkov looks to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov is in bad spot here.
OShea is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Zdravkov trying to control the position but OShea manages to sink in the hooks.
Zdravkov tries to roll but OShea sticks to his back.
Zdravkov trying to control the hands but OShea won't let him.
Zdravkov can't escape the position.
Zdravkov is working hard here to advance position.

OShea working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OShea is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Zdravkov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

OShea is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Zdravkov is defending well though. OShea let's go of the attempt for now.
Zdravkov tries to break free.
OShea doesn't have the hooks in and Zdravkov manages to turn into his guard.
Zdravkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of OShea's head.
Zdravkov advances to half guard.
Zdravkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
OShea wants to improve his position but Zdravkov is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor OShea showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zdravko Zdravkov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Zdravkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with OShea but OShea pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zdravkov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

OShea shoots in and gets a takedown into Zdravkov's guard.
OShea sitting in guard, not really doing much.
OShea stopping the sweep attempt from Zdravkov.
Zdravkov keeping moving, preventing OShea from controlling successfully.

Zdravkov has his foot on OShea's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. OShea works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zdravkov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
OShea wants to control from the top but Zdravkov keeps moving.
Zdravkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zdravkov lands a good elbow from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zdravkov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
OShea forces his way into half guard.
Zdravkov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. OShea is working away from the top position though.
Zdravkov landing strikes from the bottom.
OShea moves into full mount! Zdravkov won't be happy about that!
Zdravkov is looking to get to half guard.

Zdravkov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from OShea.

OShea working for a guillotine from mount but Zdravkov is in no mood to give up.
Zdravkov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Zdravko Zdravkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov lands with a few short shots to the body.
OShea throwing shots but Zdravkov is blocking nicely.
OShea wants to pass to mount but Zdravkov is defending the position.
Zdravkov is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.

OShea is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zdravkov defends it well.
Zdravkov wants to control but OShea is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zdravkov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Zdravkov wants to improve his position but OShea is controlling well.
OShea tries to pass the half guard into mount. Zdravkov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Zdravkov connecting with a few gentle strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Zdravkov scores with a few weak punches.

OShea decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
OShea scores with a head kick. Zdravkov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
OShea throws a series of punches but Zdravkov moves out of range.
Zdravkov walks into a jab.
OShea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Zdravkov shoots in and gets a takedown into OShea's guard.
Zdravkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
OShea wants to stand and escape but Zdravkov is having none of it.
Zdravkov landing with the ground and pound.
Zdravkov throwing strikes from guard but OShea blocks nicely.
Conor OShea is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zdravkov is in close to OShea's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zdravkov content to stall in guard here.
Zdravkov trying to control the position from guard on top but OShea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zdravkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zdravkov throws a big elbow that misses.
Zdravkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor OShea comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well OShea 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor OShea!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Conor OShea waved his t-shirt featuring Brooklyn Apothecary's logo in front of the cameras.