PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vatli Drago (ranked 8199 p4p, 67 weight class) and Joseph Gallagher (ranked 3689 p4p, 0 weight class). Joseph Gallagher has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Drago
vs
Gallagher

200 cm
25
264 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

194 cm
21
246 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vatli Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joseph Gallagher!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Anthony Taglia and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Drago shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gallagher is trying to defend but Drago finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Drago is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gallagher has his hands clasped together around Drago's back. He's all about the action.
Drago throwing shots but Gallagher is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Drago wants to free his trapped foot but Gallagher is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher is trying to get back to full guard.
Well, if Drago is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Drago has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Gallagher works to full guard.
Drago wanted to stand there but Gallagher had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gallagher looking to hit a scissor sweep but Drago is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Drago stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gallagher swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drago is working hard here to advance position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Drago closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gallagher to the mat! Gallagher manages to get full guard.
Drago trying to control but Gallagher is working from the bottom.
Drago missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher is adopting a defensive guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gallagher can do anything to dispel that myth.
Drago throws a strike but Gallagher rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gallagher is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gallagher postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gallagher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gallagher postures up and lands a big shot to Drago's brow.
Gallagher postures up.

Drago looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gallagher engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gallagher must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Drago is breathing heavily.
Gallagher with a nice head shot there.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Gallagher working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Drago's head.
Drago trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Gallagher is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gallagher keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Drago's head.
Gallagher lands a couple of digs.
Gallagher chips away with some ground and pound.
Gallagher lands a couple of digs.
Gallagher content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gallagher connects with a couple of short punches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gallagher chips away with some ground and pound.
Gallagher stands up over Drago, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Drago wants to sweep here but Gallagher controlling him for the moment.
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 Vatli Drago will probably get the nod.
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.

Drago displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gallagher.

Drago shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gallagher manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Drago throws a strike but Gallagher rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gallagher trying to control but Drago is working from the bottom.
Drago preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gallagher stands up over Drago, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Drago trying to keep a closed guard but Gallagher is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gallagher lands a couple of digs.
Gallagher works over Drago with some ground and pound from guard.
Drago working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gallagher.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gallagher won't allow Drago to sweep him here.
Gallagher connects with a couple of short punches.
Gallagher with a nice head shot there.
Gallagher lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gallagher keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Drago's head.
Gallagher stands up over Drago, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gallagher landing some decent shots from guard.

Drago is rocked!
Gallagher loads up on a big left hand. Drago felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Gallagher looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Drago can't hide his disappointment, as Gallagher celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joseph Gallagher!