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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Valen Dreth (ranked 504 p4p, 515 weight class) and Nacho Varga (ranked 52 p4p, 54 weight class). Valen Dreth could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nacho Varga's chin.
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| 175 cm
27
148
11 - 4 - 0 |
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180 cm
29
145
17 - 9 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valen Dreth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nacho Varga!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varga misses with a jab, cross combination.
Dreth takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Varga scores with a sloppy right hand. Dreth should have avoided that one.
Nacho Varga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Varga swinging wildly here.
Dreth connects with a solid leg kick.
Varga throws a nice outside leg kick.
Varga misses with an uppercut.
Varga misses with a body kick.
Dreth throws a jab when Varga was well out of range.
Varga missing with a left hand there. Dreth was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Varga loads up on a big right hand but Dreth slips the punch.
Dreth uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Varga.
Nice body punch from Varga.
Dreth shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Varga is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Dreth postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dreth trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth drops back, looking for a kneebar! Varga looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Varga looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Varga!
Dreth is looking for a sweep.
Dreth is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Varga is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Varga is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Dreth sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Dreth wants to get back to full guard.
Varga moves into full mount! Dreth won't be happy about that!
Varga controlling from the full mount.
I've been told that Varga has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dreth is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Dreth is working hard here to advance position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varga wants to take his opponent's back but Dreth doesn't allow it.
Dreth is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at FF Forever, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Varga tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Dreth is in all sorts of trouble here.
Varga content just to control the position here.
Dreth is trying to escape the mount.
Varga wants to take his opponent's back but Dreth doesn't allow it.
Dreth is squirming around, avoiding Varga's attempts to control the action.
Dreth is trying to escape the mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varga is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Dreth to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Dreth shrugs it off.
Dreth manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Dreth actively working from the bottom here.
Dreth is looking to get back to full guard here but Varga has managed to pass to side control instead.
Dreth tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Varga wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Varga is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Dreth will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Dreth is looking to regain half guard here but Varga keeps moving and retains side control.
Varga wants to control but Dreth is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dreth is looking to reverse the position.
Dreth wants to control but Varga postures up.
Dreth is trying to improve his position.
Varga is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dreth knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Dreth is looking for a sweep.
Varga tries to advance to mount but Dreth denies him.
Varga moves into full mount!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nacho Varga dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Dreth loads up on a big right hand but Varga slips the punch.
Dreth slips a straight right by Varga.
Dreth misses with a looping right.
Dreth cracks Varga with an open hand slap.
Dreth just misses with a punch to the body.
Varga has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dreth looks to score with a jab to the body but Varga is just out of range.
Dreth dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Varga. That did some damage!
Varga throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dreth throws a shot from downtown. Varga moves away and avoids it.
Decent striking displayed by Varga there.
Varga with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Varga misses with a looping right.
Varga thumps Dreth with a low kick.
Varga missing with a left hand there. Dreth was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Varga walks into a stiff left hand from Dreth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Varga takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Varga punishes Dreth's body with a nice straight punch.
Varga misses with a looping right.
Nacho Varga seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Varga lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dreth backs up against the cage.
Varga ducks under a wild hook from Dreth.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Varga throws a good cross that connects.
Varga bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nacho Varga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Varga misses with a body kick.
Varga waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dreth.
Dreth throws a quick inside leg kick.
Varga takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Varga thumps Dreth with a low kick.
Dreth walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Varga checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Varga throws out a counter right but Dreth avoids it with no problem.
Good leg kick by Dreth.
Varga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dreth.
Varga misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A slapping leg kick lands for Varga.
Dreth gets a double leg takedown into Varga's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Varga keeping moving, preventing Dreth from controlling successfully.
Dreth passes into half guard.
Varga tries to roll over but Dreth keeps him under control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dreth is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Varga defends it well.
Dreth wants to lay and pray for a moment but Varga keeps working.
Dreth thows a huge punch but Varga dodges it nicely.
Dreth looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Dreth is looking to pass Varga's guard but actually Varga recovers to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dreth tries to free his leg and advance position but Varga is retaining full guard.
Varga being controlled here, momentarily.
Varga keeping moving, preventing Dreth from controlling successfully.
Varga is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Varga is trying to keep Dreth in close.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Varga misses with a hook. Dreth ducked under it nicely.
Varga fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Dreth checks it well.
Varga defending well as Dreth loads up on a big left hand.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Varga checks a leg kick.
Varga swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dreth.
Dreth fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Varga misses the jab.
Varga pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dreth half committed to a counter leg kick.
Varga loads up on a big right hand but Dreth slips the punch.
A big left from Varga misses.
Varga dodges the punch combination from Dreth.
Varga pivots, looking for a leg kick but Dreth is out of range and Varga settles back down.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Varga takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Nacho Varga will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Nice defenses there by Dreth.
Valen Dreth has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dreth scores with a jab. Varga acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Dreth throws a right and a left that Varga avoids nicely.
Dreth misses with a right hand
and Varga counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dreth drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Varga throws the kick towards the body but Dreth avoids it.
Dreth feinted with a counter takedown.
Varga misses with a double jab.
Varga displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dreth.
Dreth cracks Varga with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Varga tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dreth throws a leg kick but Varga sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Dreth with a nice cross.
Dreth slips a straight right by Varga.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Varga tries to land a front kick but Dreth steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A low kick lands for Varga.
Varga just misses with a punch to the body.
Varga missing with a left hand there. Dreth was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dreth attempts a counter takedown but Varga avoids it well and moves away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Varga is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Varga misses with a head kick.
A swing and a miss from Varga.
Dreth drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dreth takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Varga misses with a low kick.
Dreth slips a jab from Varga.
Dreth goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Varga with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dreth. That's going to slow Varga down.
A nice leg kick from Dreth, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice defenses there by Dreth.
Varga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice shot by Varga.
Varga misses with a body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Varga darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Dreth throws a shot from downtown. Varga moves away and avoids it.
Varga uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dreth has time to react.
Varga lands the left hand.
Nacho Varga is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dreth fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A head kick by Dreth misses
and Varga counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Varga lands a jab to the head.
Varga lands with an overhand left.
Varga moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dreth defending well as Varga loads up on a big left hand.
Varga takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Varga pushes Dreth away with a front kick.
Varga misses with an uppercut.
Dreth lands with an uppercut that bounces Varga off the cage and back into range.
Dreth steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Varga.
Varga pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Dreth back to the cage. Varga follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Varga moves out of range of the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Varga on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Varga tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Varga slips a jab from Dreth.
Varga's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dreth uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Varga.
Dreth looks to land a left hand but Varga moved out of range nicely.
Varga throws the left hand but Dreth avoids the punch easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varga is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice defenses there by Dreth.
Varga connects with a nice looking jab.
Dreth slips under a jab from Varga.
Varga changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Varga lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Dreth lands a slapping body shot.
Dreth comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Dreth shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Varga as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valen Dreth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dreth finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Varga rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Dreth counters with a leg kick.
Varga blocks a head kick by Dreth.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Varga uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dreth.
The crowd cheers as Varga lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dreth doesn't seem phased though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Varga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Varga moves away from the strike by Dreth.
Dreth looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Dreth wants to land a leg kick but Varga is out of range.
Varga takes a swing at Dreth's ribcage but misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varga cracks Dreth with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Varga fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Dreth swings for the body but Varga moves out of range.
Varga lands a leg kick that knocks Dreth off balance momentarily.
Dreth fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Varga has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Varga throws a hook to the side of Dreth's head but Dreth sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dreth swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dreth missing with a left hand there. Varga was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dreth tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Varga is able to avoid easily.
Nice jab there from Varga.
The fighters circling - Varga throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Varga lands a front kick.
Varga swings for the body but Dreth moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Varga scores with a leg kick.
Dreth takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Dreth appears to be looking for a big counter.
Varga throws a right and a left that Dreth avoids nicely.
Varga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dreth.
Varga scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that's the end of the fight!
Nacho Varga comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Varga 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nacho Varga!
In his post fight interview, Nacho Varga started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
65% |
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