PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zdravko Dren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Dren's choice of entrance music: GETO BOYS - mind of a lunatic. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Machado
vs
Dren

180 cm
31
265 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

194 cm
36
260 lbs
19 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sully's Bar & Grill
Arcticus University: London

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Carlos Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Zdravko Dren!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Gwen Towbar and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado throws a hook but Dren blocks it.
Machado avoids the body shot from Dren.
Machado shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dren pinned against the cage. Dren gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dren! But no joy.
Machado will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dren looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Dren leaves Machado with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Machado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machado avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot lands for Dren.
A punch combination from Dren misses.
Dren lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dren stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Machado is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dren sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dren doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Dren gets caught napping as Machado dives in and scores a takedown. Dren manages to retain guard.
Dren really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machado. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Machado sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dren's guard.
Dren wants to control but Machado is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Dren tries to get to full guard but Machado has control of the leg.
Dren tries to kick Machado off but Machado keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Dren controlling the position for now.
Dren has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Machado trying to control from half guard but Dren is working away.
Dren moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dren keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machado drops back looking for a leg! Dren is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dren manages to kick Machado off! Machado jumps back into Dren's guard.
Dren keeping full guard, as Machado tries to pass.
Dren controls Machado momentarily but Machado frees himself.
Machado slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Machado postures up.
Machado sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Dren is keeping the position.
Machado pushing down on Dren's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Machado is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Machado is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dren defends it well.
Machado wants to take a breather but Dren is having none of it.
Dren is pressing down on Machado's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Machado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Dren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machado might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dren can't keep his opponent in guard - Machado advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Dren slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dren trying to control the position.

Machado is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Dren keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machado pushes down on Dren's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zdravko Dren will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A jab from Machado misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Machado or perhaps it was just good defense by Dren, which made it look bad.
Machado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dren moves away.
Machado throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dren stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dren wants it to stay on the feet.
Zdravko Dren is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dren tests Machado's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Machado shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dren but Dren pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Machado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dren throws a head kick but Machado moves out of range.
Dren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Machado shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dren as he jumps to the side.
Dren looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Dren, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dren moves out of range as Machado strikes.
Machado with a poor takedown
and Dren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dren clobbers Machado with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Dren drops Machado with a beautiful combination! Machado stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Dren is looking for the KO!

Machado is rocked!
Look low, kick high! Dren uses the oldest trick in the book to send Machado tumbling to the canvas, in a truly brutal knockout! Dren is absolutely delighted - when Machado wakes up, I doubt he'll be quite so happy!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Zdravko Dren!
During a confident post fight interview, Zdravko Dren thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.