PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Fernando Valdez (ranked 1781 p4p, 2874 weight class) and Lou Gotch (ranked 93 p4p, 154 weight class). Valdez comes to the cage accompanied by Accept - Balls to the Wall. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Valdez
vs
Gotch

169 cm
23
145
7 - 5 - 0

165 cm
26
145
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Fernando Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lou Gotch!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gotch dives in for a single leg takedown but Valdez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Valdez drives through with a takedown into Gotch's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Gotch throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gotch has momentary wrist control but Valdez slips an elbow through the middle.
Valdez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Valdez scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gotch wants to sweep but no luck.
Gotch manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Valdez manages to get himself to full guard.

Gotch pushes down on Valdez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Valdez wants to improve his position but Gotch is controlling well.

Gotch is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotch not doing much here.
Gotch seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Valdez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gotch takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Valdez wants to control but Gotch is keeping busy.
Gotch stalling.

That's two 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.
Gotch wants to free his trapped foot but Valdez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Gotch prevents Valdez from improving his position.
Gotch controlling the pace.

Gotch is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Valdez is just riding it out for now. Gotch eventually gives up the hold.
Valdez is refusing to be controlled, as Gotch sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gotch is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Valdez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gotch uses his free foot to push down on Valdez's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Valdez.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gotch goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Valdez turns into him and now he's in Gotch's guard.
Gotch controls Valdez momentarily but Valdez frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gotch working for a triangle but Valdez defends it easily.
Valdez trying to control the position from guard on top but Gotch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Valdez landing with the ground and pound.
Gotch avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gotch is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valdez is aware though and is defending well.
Valdez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Fernando Valdez will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gotch gets caught flat footed, as Valdez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fernando Valdez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Gotch is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Valdez postures up.
Valdez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gotch wants to sweep but no luck.
Valdez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Gotch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Valdez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gotch is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Valdez rolls with it to try and escape but Gotch cranks on the arm and Valdez is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Lou Gotch!
An out of breath Lou Gotch thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Fernando Valdez had this to say: 'not sure if the ref jumped in too quick or the judges got it wrong but my disgraceful loss is owed to one of those.'.