PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Hearn (ranked 587 p4p, 722 weight class) and Lou Valentine (ranked 86 p4p, 104 weight class). Hearn's entrance music is Professor X - Dave. A fine choice. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hearn
vs
Valentine

185 cm
29
180
14 - 10 - 0

174 cm
27
172
9 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Hearn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lou Valentine!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Valentine as he connects with a hook.

It looks like Thomas Hearn has been cut.
A big left from Valentine misses.
Hearn fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Valentine is out of range.
Hearn lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Valentine tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hearn defends well and Valentine ends up having to push Hearn into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Valentine connects with a body shot.
Valentine is looking to clinch but Hearn is avoiding it.
Valentine takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hearn moves into range and connects with a jab.
Valentine walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hearn checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hearn looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hearn with a nice calf kick.
Hearn lands a jab to Valentine's midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valentine tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hearn swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hearn feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Hearn throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hearn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearn throws a front kick aimed at Valentine's knee but Valentine avoids it well.
Good work by Hearn as he checks the leg kick.
Hearn connects with a body shot.
Hearn catches Valentine with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Valentine needs to keep his hands up - Hearn had a free shot at his head there.
Hearn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valentine throws out a counter right but Hearn avoids it with no problem.
Hearn misses with a straight left.
Valentine tries to clinch but Hearn is having none of it.
Hearn is looking to slow Valentine down with leg kicks.
Thomas Hearn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hearn misses with a low kick.
Valentine closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hearn circles away.
Hearn misses with a kick to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hearn.
Valentine fails with a takedown attempt.
Thomas Hearn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lou Valentine.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearn scores with a spinning back kick!
Valentine checks the leg kick.
Valentine takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valentine shoots in and drives through. Hearn sprawls well.
Hearn throws a low kick but it's checked well by Valentine.
Valentine let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Hearn turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Valentine on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hearn. Hearn obviously looking to wear him down.
Hearn lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hearn darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Valentine is looking to chop away at Hearn's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearn throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Valentine was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Hearn is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hearn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Valentine throws a shot from downtown. Hearn moves away and avoids it.
Hearn will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Valentine tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thomas Hearn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hearn swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Valentine chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hearn can pounce on him.
Valentine drops his hands momentarily and Hearn takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hearn takes a swing at Valentine's ribcage but misses.
Hearn fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Valentine.
Valentine looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hearn throws out a loose jab but Valentine uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab by Hearn.
It looks like Hearn has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Hearn chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearn fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Valentine checks it well.
Hearn moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hearn is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hearn listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Valentine checks a leg kick.
Valentine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hearn as he avoids it easily.
No luck for Valentine with that takedown attempt.
Hearn moves forwards but Valentine connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Valentine throws a body punch but Hearn moves out of range.
Valentine takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Good leg kick by Hearn.
Valentine misses with a kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Hearn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Hearn's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hearn on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hearn throws a leg kick
and Valentine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Valentine takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice defenses there by Hearn.
Hearn lands a body shot.

Hearn gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Valentine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valentine accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
My spies in Hare of the Dog Gym inform me that Valentine has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Valentine is looking to pass into half guard but Hearn pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hearn is in guard.

Hearn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Valentine has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hearn has managed to get both his arms back between Valentine's legs - danger averted.
Hearn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Valentine tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valentine has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hearn is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Valentine.
Valentine manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hearn's best efforts.
Hearn looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Valentine looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Valentine wants to control but Hearn is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hearn sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Valentine works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hearn would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hearn throws a big right hand that misses.
Valentine is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Hearn gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hearn lands with a shot to the body.
Valentine uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hearn.
Valentine tries to close the distance and clinch but Hearn swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearn throws an off balance right hand
and Valentine counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thomas Hearn is winning the standup battle so far.
Hearn ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Valentine will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hearn lands a glancing blow to the side of Valentine's head.
Hearn thuds his right hand into Valentine's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Valentine uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hearn.
Hearn pivots, looking for a leg kick but Valentine is out of range and Hearn settles back down.
Valentine swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Valentine shoots in but no luck this time.
Hearn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hearn chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hearn throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hearn backing away here, and Valentine unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Valentine is defended easily by Hearn.
Thomas Hearn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lou Valentine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine throws a sloppy head kick and Hearn moves out of range easily.
Valentine tries for a takedown but Hearn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hearn tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Valentine is able to avoid easily.
Valentine walks into a stiff left hand from Hearn.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Valentine clinches with his opponent.
Valentine misses with a body punch.
Hearn tries to throw a body punch but Valentine avoids it by throwing Hearn back against the cage.
Valentine makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Valentine can't find room to land a body shot as Hearn controls the action.
Valentine prevents a body shot from Hearn.
Hearn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valentine can do to turn this around?
Hearn lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hearn lands a nice shot to the body.
Valentine's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Hearn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Valentine on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hearn throws a low kick but Valentine moves out of range easily.
Valentine shoots in looking for a takedown but Hearn manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Valentine's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Hearn dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Hearn's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Hearn stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Valentine smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Valentine shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hearn sprawls well. Hearn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Valentine gets slowly back to his feet.
Hearn thuds a left hand into Valentine's body.
Hearn finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A little jabbing left from Valentine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hearn connects with a solid leg kick.
Valentine walks into a left hand.
Valentine defending well as Hearn loads up on a big left hand.
That kick from Hearn tenderised Valentine's leg. Valentine is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hearn fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Valentine on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearn tries to work over Valentine's front leg with a kick but Valentine checks it.
Hearn stuns Valentine with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hearn stuns Valentine with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Valentine on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hearn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hearn throws a series of strikes that have Valentine backpedaling.
Hearn fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Valentine on the side of the head.
Hearn throws a body shot but no joy.
Valentine is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Hearn throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hearn throws a head kick that half lands.
Valentine shoots in and drives through. Hearn sprawls well.
Hearn scores with a jab.
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!
Nice cross by Hearn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearn connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hearn looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hearn connects with a body shot that sends Valentine's belly button to the back.
Valentine takes one to the side of the head.
Valentine walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hearn.
Valentine takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hearn pivots, looking for a leg kick but Valentine is out of range and Hearn settles back down.

Valentine shoots in and gets a takedown into Hearn's guard.

Hearn wriggles free and stands up.
Hearn lands a lovely overhand right.
Valentine takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lou Valentine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearn throws a series of punches but Valentine moves out of range.
Valentine pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hearn is out of range and Valentine settles back down.
Hearn feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A jab from Hearn does it's job there.
Valentine gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hearn counters with a head kick. That will keep Valentine thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Thomas Hearn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas Hearn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lou Valentine.
Valentine keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hearn comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hearn moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hearn.
Hearn lands with a cross.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hearn.
Hearn works Valentine's body with a nice hook.
Hearn dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Valentine. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearn misses with a low kick.
Hearn misses with a low kick.
Hearn will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hearn lands a nice leg kick that just misses Valentine's sensitive parts.
Valentine waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hearn.

Valentine clinches with his opponent.
Valentine struggles to land a body shot inside as Hearn controls his hands.
Valentine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valentine misses with a body punch.
Valentine is trying to drag Hearn to the mat but Hearn just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hearn blocking some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Hearn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hearn, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Hearn!
A relieved looking Thomas Hearn thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.