PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zdravko Dren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Merkk Maloney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zdravko Dren has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dren
vs
Maloney

225 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zdravko Dren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Merkk Maloney!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maloney doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Maloney avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Maloney gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Dren to score an easy takedown into full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Dren in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dren trying to control the position from guard on top but Maloney is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maloney not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dren postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Maloney is pulling down on Dren's head. It's preventing any offense from Dren, at least for the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Maloney can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dren in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Maloney has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dren can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dren throws a strike but Maloney rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dren looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maloney is one step ahead there.
Dren trying to keep a closed guard but Maloney is proving a slippery customer.
Maloney throws a big elbow that misses.
Maloney wants to control from the top but Dren keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maloney is stalling in the full guard.
Maloney is pushing down on Dren's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dren is fighting to maintain full guard but Maloney has managed to sneak the leg through.
Dren tries to roll over but Maloney keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maloney seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maloney thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dren tries to roll over but Maloney keeps him under control.
Dren wants to control but Maloney is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Dren changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Maloney looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Dren with the ground and pound but Maloney regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Dren looks to land a strike but Maloney avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Dren has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dren trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maloney manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dren manages to get himself to full guard.
Dren wants to sweep but no luck.
Maloney passes easily into side control. Nice work.
A lull in the action here as Maloney stalls from top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Maloney decides to stand up, so the ref orders Dren to his feet.
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 Zdravko Dren will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maloney closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dren quickly recovers to half guard.
Maloney sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Maloney trying to control the action but Dren is working from the bottom.
Maloney not doing much here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Merkk Maloney.
Dren rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maloney moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maloney tries a head kick but it misses.
Dren works over Maloney's head and body with a nice combination.
Maloney throws a series of punches but Dren avoids them all with ease.
Dren wants to clinch up but Maloney keeps it at a distance.
Dren throws a right and a left that Maloney avoids nicely.
Dren throws a right and a left that Maloney avoids nicely.
Dren lands a two punch combo.
Maloney pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
You can follow us on Twitter at...Ooooooh Maloney got wobbled bad by a big combination! Dren presses forward with punches and knees until Maloney stumbles to the ground! The ref watches Maloney closely before deciding to step in and end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Zdravko Dren!