PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Valen Dreth (ranked 10 p4p, 32 weight class) and Darren Dixon (ranked 2 p4p, 5 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Dreth
vs
Dixon

175 cm
33
143
26 - 10 - 1

169 cm
34
145
28 - 12 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Akuma Wear
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valen Dreth!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Darren Dixon!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dixon misses with a hook.
Dreth uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dixon.
Dixon has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Dixon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dreth tries to avoid it but Dixon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dreth to the ground. Dreth escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dixon tries for a takedown but Dreth circles away easily
and Dreth counters with a nice low kick that buckles Dixon's knee momentarily.
Dixon checks the leg kick nicely there.

Dixon instigates a clinch.
Dreth lands a nice uppercut.

Dixon breaks the clinch.
Dreth throws a sloppy head kick and Dixon moves out of range easily.
Dixon misses with a takedown attempt - Dreth sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Valen Dreth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darren Dixon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dreth throws a leg kick

and Dixon counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dixon trying to control the action but Dreth is working from the bottom.
Dreth is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dixon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dreth keeps working.

Dixon is trying to get an arm triangle but Dreth is defending well.
Dreth manages to work his way to half guard, despite Dixon's best efforts.
Dixon wants to take a breather but Dreth is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dreth won't allow Dixon to pass to mount.
Dreth tries to get to full guard but Dixon has control of the leg.
Dreth is trying to control but can't.
Dixon is trying to control the action in half guard but Dreth is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Dreth looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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

Dixon throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Dreth tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Dixon is in Dreth's guard.
Dreth not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dreth keeping full guard, as Dixon tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dixon wants to control from the top but Dreth keeps moving.
Dixon looking to sit in guard and control but Dreth gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dixon controls Dreth momentarily but Dreth frees himself.

Dixon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Dreth passes into half guard.
Dixon is refusing to be controlled, as Dreth sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dixon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dixon on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dixon is trying to get back to full guard.
Dreth trying to control the pace.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dixon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dreth trying to control the position from guard on top but Dixon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Dixon dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Horrible takedown attempt by Dixon or perhaps it was just good defense by Dreth, which made it look bad.
Dreth connects with a nice looking jab.
Dixon throws a body shot but no joy.
Dixon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dreth defends it nicely.
Dreth appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Dixon tries for a takedown but Dreth circles away easily
and Dreth counters with a nice uppercut.
Valen Dreth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darren Dixon.
Dixon misses with a takedown attempt - Dreth sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dixon misses with a takedown attempt - Dreth sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dreth throws a sloppy head kick and Dixon moves out of range easily.
Dreth tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dixon swivels and escapes.
Dixon blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Dixon.
Dixon shoots in for a takedown but Dreth shows good takedown defense.
Dixon moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice takedown defense from Dreth. No joy for Dixon on that attempt.
Dixon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dreth has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dixon finds it's way round the side to connect with Dreth's head.
Dreth throws a head kick that Dixon semi-blocks.
Dreth takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Dixon slips a jab from Dreth.
Dreth scores with a leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Dixon. That snapped Dreth's head back.
No luck for Dixon with that takedown attempt.
Dreth misses with a hook. Dixon ducked under it nicely.
Dixon moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dreth thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dixon feints the counter takedown.

Dixon changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Dreth looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Dixon has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Dreth!
Dreth is desperately trying to improve his position but Dixon has a good base and remains in mount.
Dreth is squirming around, avoiding Dixon's attempts to control the action.
Dixon wants to control but Dreth has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Dixon works his foot free and advances to mount.
Dreth bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dixon tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Dixon looking for a guillotine here but Dreth defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dreth is looking to pass into half guard but Dixon pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Dixon is in guard.

Dreth is trying to keep Dixon in close.

Dreth is looking for a triangle but Dixon pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dixon trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Dreth manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Dixon wants to sweep but no luck.
We've been hearing that Dreth has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Dixon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dreth can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dixon keeping moving, preventing Dreth from controlling successfully.
Dreth is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Dixon is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valen Dreth dominated that second round.
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.

Dixon swings for the body but Dreth moves out of range.
Dixon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dixon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dreth tries to avoid it but Dixon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dreth to the ground. Dreth escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Dixon shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Dreth manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Dixon won't allow Dreth to sweep him here.
Dixon wants to control from the top but Dreth keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dixon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dreth is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dixon seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Dreth looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dixon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Dreth looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dixon slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dreth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dixon misses with a double jab.
Dreth throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dixon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dreth. Dreth obviously looking to wear him down.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Dreth enables Dixon to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Dreth manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Dixon controls from within his opponent's guard.
Dixon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dreth swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dixon looking to sit in guard and control but Dreth gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dreth trying to control the position from guard on top but Dixon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dixon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dixon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dreth manages to get himself to full guard.

Dreth has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dixon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dixon preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Dixon trying to control but Dreth is working from the bottom.

Dixon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Darren Dixon has got the better of the ground game so far.

Dreth working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dixon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dixon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dreth keeping moving, preventing Dixon from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dixon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dixon fails to land the takedown.
Darren Dixon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dixon shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dreth pinned against the cage. Dreth gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dixon has a takedown stuffed.
Valen Dreth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darren Dixon.
Dreth scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Dreth throws a solid leg kick but Dixon takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dreth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dreth throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Dixon on the side of the head.
Dreth avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dixon shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dreth as he jumps to the side.
An attempted straight right counter from Dreth misses the target.
Dixon bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Dreth's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dixon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dreth is fending him off so far but Dixon persists. Nope, Dreth circles away and we're back to standing.
Dreth attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Dixon tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Dreth throws a hook but Dixon blocks it.
Dixon cracks Dreth with a right hand to the side of the head.
Dixon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dreth sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dixon somewhat.
Dreth slips a jab from Dixon.
Dreth misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dixon.
The fighters circling - Dreth throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dreth shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dixon defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dreth or perhaps it was just good defense by Dixon, which made it look bad.
Dreth tries to bum rush Dixon with a series of wild strikes but Dixon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dreth shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dixon sprawls well. Dixon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dreth gets slowly back to his feet.
Dreth moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Dixon closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Dreth to the mat! Dreth manages to get full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dreth keeping moving, preventing Dixon from controlling successfully.
Dreth trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dreth looking for a sweep. Not yet Dreth, not yet.
Dixon pushes down on Dreth's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Dixon prevents Dreth from improving his position.
Dixon controlling the pace.
Dixon tries to pass to full mount but Dreth defends it.
Dreth wants to improve his position but Dixon is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dreth is staying active underneath Dixon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Dreth wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A low kick from Dreth misses

and Dixon counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dixon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dreth swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dreth managing to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Darren Dixon will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Dixon is looking to clinch.
Valen Dreth has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valen Dreth is winning the standup battle so far.
Dixon shoots for a double leg takedown but Dreth sprawls well. He's pushed Dixon's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dixon.
Dixon looking to control but instead Dreth has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Dreth wants to get back to full guard.
Dixon seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Dreth won't allow Dixon to pass to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dixon is stalling here. Dreth is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Dixon seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Dreth has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dixon takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Dreth lands a few punches from side control.
Dixon is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Dreth off and has taken his back!
Dixon trying to control momentarily.
Dreth is in bad spot here.
Dreth is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Dixon is looking for a rear naked choke here but Dreth reverses the position brilliantly into Dixon's guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dixon controls Dreth momentarily but Dreth frees himself.
Dixon wants to control the position but Dreth says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Dixon trying to hold on to Dreth's head to control him but Dreth postures up.
Dreth takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Dixon trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dixon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Dreth is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dixon moves into full guard.
Dixon is looking to sweep but instead, Dreth has passed into half guard.
Dixon is trying to maintain the position but Dreth is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dixon is looking for a sweep. Dreth is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Dreth working the head and body with strikes.
Dixon is pressing down on Dreth's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Dixon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Dixon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dreth tries to free his leg and advance position but Dixon is retaining full guard.
Darren Dixon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Dixon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Dreth passes into half guard.
Dreth is nestled in close to Dixon, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valen Dreth showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dixon has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:48
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darren Dixon!
Darren Dixon is the new featherweight champion!
Darren Dixon decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.