World Freefight Challenge and Zlatko Mahic have arrived in Croatia. In cooperation with Gordan Vatavuk and our renowned fighter Maro Perak and his UFK Gladiator, they provided for a top notch combat sports event and a media spectacle in Dubrovnik.

Perfect organization kept the show running smooth throughout the entire night. Despite some setbacks in fighters' cancellations, the organizers were successful in finding replacements, we believe some even better than the ones that had cancelled.

Superb treatment of all the participants is a story by itself. Thanks to the hospitality of the host and the capabilities of the organizers, everybody was treated like a small royalty and nobody missed a thing.

The entire city of Dubrovnik was living for this event and for their town hero Maro Perak. The beautiful city surroundings and the audience packed sport center are the best wild card for the new tournament in Dubrovnik.

Elvedin Tukic vs Ajlin Ahmic

After the initial brief testing of strengths Ahmic downs Tukic and forces him to tap with a series of strikes to the head and body. Tukic didn’t seem quite at home fighting on the ground, and it was visible that he is more adept to fighting on his feet. Ahmic, a native from Dubrovnik got the entire crowd to their feet.

Ronnie Mann vs Ivan Debic

Mann starts the fight with a takedown but doesn't do much in position and Dzebic manages to escape. Soon they are in the clinch again from where Mann gets a slam takedown and Dzebic falls on his arm and suffers an injury which forces him to end the fight. We have later learned that Ivica has torn elbow ligaments. Mann presented himself as a competent fighter. With 8 years of training BJJ and numerous freestyle wrestling competitions along with his training in Trojan Gym, he is one of the most complete and multitalented young fighters, and he is only 21. This kid has got a bright future ahead of him.

Daniel Gheroghe vs Kresimir Bogdanovic

Very brief fight in which a weight difference was obvious, along as the disparaging level of the fighters. Bogdanovic lands strong strikes from the feet and then on the ground. Ground and pound flurry forces the referee Zlatko Klaric to end the massacre. For real estimate of Kresimir Bogdanovic and his abilities he should be matched with a more equal opponent.

Bogdan Dan vs Bojan Kosednar

Kosnedar quickly takes the fight to the mat where he dominates the match using his killer combo of "lay n' pray" and "ground n' pound". Dan tries to escape but relinquishes his back in the process which Kosnedar aptly uses and secures a finishing rear naked choke. Bojan Kosnedar is not a fighter prone to experimenting in the fights. He is aware of his qualities and abilities and pursues his game plan with good efficiency.

Dragan Bakula vs Davor Jugovac

Jugovac had a good start with combos of strikes and kicks. Bakula weathers the storm and awaits his chance. In one furious leather exchange, he lands a strong right hook which downs Jukovac and gets him side mounted by Bakula. Dragan Bakula launches a series of strikes in an attempt to finish off Jugovac who in turn tries to escape his dire situation but that lands him in even more trouble as he gets caught in a guillotine which ends the fight. Jugovac played right into Bakula's game and that was a wrong assessment which ultimately cost him a fight. Great performance by Dragan Bakula.

Fabricio Nascimento vs Christos Petrontsos

Definitely a fight of the night and a true MMA 3 round war. The Greek Petrontsos started very aggressively after Nascimento who had based his tactics on takedown attempts and strived to entrap Petrontsos in his ground game. There was numerous reversals with advantage changing hands from one moment to another. Numerous armbar, heel hook and kneebar attempts came close but no cigar.

Second round has Christos pushing the tempo and Nascimento declining in performance, mainly due to conditioning but also due to some strong strikes he ate.

In third round, Fabrizio is an empty tank which is aptly used by Christos for a new assault and a new salvo of strikes which Fabrizio is in no position to defend anymore, and his corner throws in the towel. Petrontsos has finally got his revenge against Nascimento for a defeat three years old. It was truly a payback in full definition. This fight has a rematch written all over it, as both fighters made into one of the most exciting fights of the night.

Maro Perak vs Alfredo Achilli

A long awaited final fight had the place rattling from the noise. Perak got a great start with a series of strikes which down the Italian Achilli. He manages to get back up but lands in a guillotine choke attempt which ends up with Perak on his back with Achilli in his guard. This is where the Italian demonstrates his heart and willpower. Using his superior strength and mass (ten kilo difference) he maintains the position and even attempts a neck crank which Maro manages to defend with a great struggle. This attempt got Achilli breathing hard and Perak had used a moment to attempt a Kimura submission from the guard. He is successful in getting a full extension and Achilli is forced to tap, which works a crowd into a total frenzy.

Another big win for undefeated Perak, and just another notch on his belt. Perak is ready for a next level of competition, and he has been proving it time and again. We eagerly await his next fight.

Source: www.wfc.si