PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Galloway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Zdyrko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Galloway
vs
Zdyrko

190 cm
21
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryan Galloway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xavier Zdyrko!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Galloway shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zdyrko stuffs the takedown attempt from Galloway. Galloway gets slowly back to his feet.
Galloway blocks a head kick by Zdyrko.
Galloway shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zdyrko as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Galloway. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zdyrko shoots in for a takedown but Galloway shows good takedown defense.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Galloway.
Galloway will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Galloway misses with the ground and pound.

Galloway is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zdyrko has escaped the position, nice work there.
Zdyrko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Galloway has his hands clasped together around Zdyrko's back. He's all about the action.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galloway avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zdyrko.
Galloway keeping hold of Zdyrko's head, controlling as best he can.
Galloway really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zdyrko controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zdyrko postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Galloway to stand up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Galloway.
Galloway shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zdyrko but Zdyrko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zdyrko moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zdyrko leaves Galloway with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Galloway is breathing heavily.
Zdyrko lands with a nice body punch.
Galloway fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zdyrko throws a head kick but Galloway moves out of range.
Nice shot by Zdyrko.
Galloway tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zdyrko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Galloway somewhat.
Galloway misses with a takedown attempt - Zdyrko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zdyrko tries for a takedown but Galloway sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zdyrko dives in and grabs Galloway's left leg, looking for a takedown. Galloway pushes down on Zdyrko's head and hops out.
Zdyrko closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Galloway is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zdyrko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zdyrko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Galloway but Galloway pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Galloway shoots in and drives through. Zdyrko sprawls well.
Zdyrko tries to bum rush Galloway with a series of wild strikes but Galloway uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Galloway closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zdyrko circles away.
Zdyrko fails with a takedown attempt.

Galloway scores a takedown into full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Galloway prevents Zdyrko from getting the reversal.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Galloway landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Xavier Zdyrko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zdyrko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Galloway swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zdyrko slaps away a takedown attempt from Galloway, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Galloway shoots in for a takedown but Zdyrko shows good takedown defense.
Zdyrko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Galloway throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zdyrko's waist but Zdyrko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Galloway off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Galloway. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Zdyrko as Galloway shoots in.
Zdyrko shoots in looking for a takedown. Galloway tries to sprawl out of it but Zdyrko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Galloway manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Zdyrko rushes Galloway and presses him up against the cage.
Galloway has had enough of the clinch but Zdyrko keeps him there for the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galloway has Zdyrko pressed against the cage, preventing Zdyrko from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zdyrko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Galloway avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Galloway is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zdyrko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zdyrko wants to break free but Galloway has control.
Galloway tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zdyrko just stands there and leans against the cage.
Galloway fails to pull guard.
Zdyrko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Galloway prevents it.

Galloway ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Galloway no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Zdyrko trying to control the position from guard on top but Galloway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zdyrko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Galloway is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Galloway seems keen to control Zdyrko's posture.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zdyrko stuffs the takedown attempt from Galloway. Galloway gets slowly back to his feet.
Galloway shoots in for a takedown but Zdyrko shows good takedown defense.
Zdyrko jabs at Galloway's body.
Galloway displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zdyrko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galloway fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zdyrko avoids it really well and circles away.
Xavier Zdyrko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zdyrko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Galloway manages to avoid it.
Galloway shoots in but Zdyrko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Galloway fails with a takedown attempt.

Zdyrko clinches with his opponent.
Zdyrko prevents the takedown attempt.
Galloway stops a takedown attempt from Zdyrko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galloway drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zdyrko gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Galloway jumps guard and drags Zdyrko to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Zdyrko wants to stand but Galloway is controlling his posture from full guard.
Zdyrko controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Galloway managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Xavier Zdyrko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Zdyrko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Galloway.

Galloway tries to keep at a distance but Zdyrko has taken the fight into the clinch.
Galloway changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zdyrko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Galloway.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Galloway. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zdyrko tries to close the distance and clinch but Galloway swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zdyrko shoots in looking for a takedown but Galloway manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zdyrko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Galloway shoots for a double leg takedown but Zdyrko sprawls well. He's pushed Galloway's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zdyrko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Galloway defends it nicely.
Left hook, right uppercut from Zdyrko.
Galloway shoots for a takedown but Zdyrko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zdyrko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zdyrko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Galloway.
Galloway closes the distance and clinches up with Zdyrko, looking for a takedown. Galloway pushes Zdyrko against the cage but Zdyrko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Galloway shoots in looking for a takedown. Zdyrko tries to sprawl out of it but Galloway keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zdyrko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Galloway stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Galloway wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Galloway shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zdyrko as he avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Galloway.
Galloway shoots for a double leg takedown but Zdyrko sprawls well. He's pushed Galloway's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Galloway shoots in for a takedown but Zdyrko shows good takedown defense.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zdyrko.
Zdyrko is looking to clinch but Galloway is avoiding it.
Zdyrko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Galloway as he jumps to the side.
Galloway with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zdyrko counters with a body kick that stops Galloway in his tracks momentarily.
Ryan Galloway is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zdyrko lands a jab to Galloway's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Galloway is defended easily by Zdyrko.
Ryan Galloway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zdyrko tries to clinch but Galloway moves out of range.

Zdyrko gets a clinch.
Galloway drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zdyrko can't get the takedown.
Zdyrko misses with an elbow strike.
The referee calls for Galloway to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galloway wants to break free but Zdyrko has control.
Galloway fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Galloway is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zdyrko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Galloway works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Galloway's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zdyrko looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zdyrko looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Galloway puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Xavier Zdyrko.
I've got Zdyrko winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Xavier Zdyrko!