PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Davdio Branko (ranked 174 p4p, 184 weight class) and Valen Dreth (ranked 8 p4p, 9 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Branko
vs
Dreth

180 cm
31
144
23 - 17 - 0

175 cm
34
143
27 - 13 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Urban Fighter

Bondi MMA 🏝️
FF Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Davdio Branko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valen Dreth!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branko with a poor takedown
and Dreth counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Branko thinking.
Branko shoots in and drives through. Dreth sprawls well.
A countering left hand to the body from Dreth misses.
Branko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dreth's waist but Dreth gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Branko off to one side.
Dreth doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Branko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Branko moves out of range of the strikes.
Dreth rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Branko counters with a takedown into side control.

Branko goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Dreth rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Branko's guard! Nice work there by Dreth!

Branko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dreth defends it easily.
Branko really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Branko is looking to sweep but instead, Dreth has passed into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth slips a nice elbow through Branko's hands, connecting with Branko's forehead.

Branko looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Branko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Branko looking for subs from the bottom but Dreth mounts him!
Branko 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.
Branko is staying active underneath Dreth, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Dreth working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.

Branko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Branko wants to improve his position but Dreth is controlling well.
Branko has hold of Dreth's hands but Dreth slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Branko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Branko wants to get back to full guard but Dreth has mounted him!
Branko is looking to get to half guard.
Dreth lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Branko hang on?
Branko tries to reverse the position but Dreth maintains control.
Dreth dominating with strikes here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dreth prevents Branko from getting the reversal.
Branko manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dreth is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Branko is looking for a sweep. Dreth is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Dreth is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Branko sees it coming and defends easily.
Branko manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Branko looking for a sweep. Not yet Branko, not yet.

Branko has his foot on Dreth's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dreth works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Branko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Branko is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Branko is looking for a kimura but Dreth is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Branko to get the leverage.
Dreth wants to get back to full guard.

Dreth actively working from the bottom here.
Branko passes the guard and advances to mount!

Branko goes for an armbar but Dreth turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Dreth.
Dreth must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Branko has an active guard here but Dreth has managed to pass into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valen Dreth dominated that round.
That's time! Branko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Branko tries for a takedown but Dreth sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dreth is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Branko shoots for a double leg takedown but Dreth sprawls well. He's pushed Branko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dreth avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dreth swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Branko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dreth! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dreth slaps away a takedown attempt from Branko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dreth stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dreth wants it to stay on the feet.
Dreth looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Dreth gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Branko can't get the takedown.
Branko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dreth breaks from the clinch.
Dreth has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
No luck for Branko with that takedown attempt.
Dreth let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Branko misses with a takedown attempt - Dreth sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck for Branko with that takedown attempt.

Dreth closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branko tries for a takedown but Dreth manages to get underhooks.
A right hook to the body lands for Dreth.
Dreth gets underhooks to prevent Branko's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dreth swings wildly with an uppercut but Branko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Branko can't get the takedown.
A shot in the inside from Dreth.

Dreth breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Branko dives in for a single leg takedown but Dreth sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dreth.
Branko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dreth smiles and moves away.
Dreth throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Branko drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

It looks like Davdio Branko has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branko fails with the takedown
and Dreth counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Branko blocks a head kick by Dreth.
Nice sprawl there from Dreth as Branko shoots in.
Dreth stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dreth wants it to stay on the feet.
Dreth now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Branko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Branko lands in his opponent's guard.

Dreth is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Branko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dreth is trying to keep Branko in close.

Branko postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Dreth is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Branko, into his guard.

Dreth lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dreth trying to control but Branko is working from the bottom.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Dreth keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Branko's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valen Dreth showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Davdio Branko's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Branko tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dreth defends well and Branko ends up having to push Dreth into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Branko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dreth fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Branko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Branko darts in looking for a takedown but Dreth gets double underhooks and turns Branko into the cage.
Dreth is looking for the big counter here.
Dreth works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Branko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dreth gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dreth scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Dreth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dreth breaks the clinch.

Oooooh!!! Dreth has knocked Branko down with a huge combo! Dreth steps away and waves a wobbly Branko back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Branko is rocked!
Valen Dreth seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dreth is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Branko flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Branko is out cold! Dreth holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Valen Dreth!
Valen Dreth seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.