PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samvel Kiragosyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Valdez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kiragosyan
vs
Valdez

179 cm
23
215 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

179 cm
18
208 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Death Ring Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Samvel Kiragosyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Diego Valdez!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdez leaves Kiragosyan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Valdez swinging wildly here.
Kiragosyan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Valdez tries to avoid it but Kiragosyan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Valdez to the ground. Valdez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Valdez misses with a two punch combination.
Valdez misses with a series of wild punches.
Kiragosyan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Valdez as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samvel Kiragosyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Valdez does no damage.
Kiragosyan looks for a takedown but Valdez sprawls well.

Valdez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kiragosyan to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kiragosyan postures up in Valdez's guard and throws a big left but Valdez blocks it.
Kiragosyan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kiragosyan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kiragosyan won't allow Valdez to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiragosyan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kiragosyan makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kiragosyan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kiragosyan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kiragosyan looking to pass the guard.
Kiragosyan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kiragosyan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Valdez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kiragosyan.
Kiragosyan is looking to work some ground and pound but Valdez has wrist control.

That's two 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.
Kiragosyan controls from within his opponent's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kiragosyan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Valdez's guard.
Valdez keeping full guard, as Kiragosyan tries to pass.
Kiragosyan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kiragosyan thows a big elbow that misses.
Kiragosyan is standing up over Valdez. Valdez looks to escape but Kiragosyan dives into side control.
Kiragosyan looking to control but instead Valdez has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiragosyan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Valdez's head.
Valdez looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kiragosyan thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Valdez to regain full guard.
Valdez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kiragosyan wants to control from the top but Valdez keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kiragosyan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

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.
Kiragosyan working some strikes from top position.
Kiragosyan advances position into side control!
Kiragosyan tries to move into full mount but can't pass Valdez's legs.
Valdez regains half guard, as Kiragosyan was trying to land strikes.
Kiragosyan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Valdez is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samvel Kiragosyan dominated that round.
That's time! Kiragosyan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kiragosyan.
Kiragosyan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Valdez circles away.
Kiragosyan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Valdez pinned against the cage. Valdez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samvel Kiragosyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Valdez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kiragosyan is defended easily by Valdez.
Valdez misses with a series of wild punches.
Kiragosyan throws a series of punches but Valdez moves out of range.
Kiragosyan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Valdez's waist but Valdez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kiragosyan off to one side.
Valdez swinging wildly here.
Kiragosyan slips a jab and a cross from Valdez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Valdez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kiragosyan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kiragosyan thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kiragosyan wants to control from the top but Valdez keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiragosyan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kiragosyan landing some decent shots from guard.
Kiragosyan lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kiragosyan wants to control from the top but Valdez keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kiragosyan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kiragosyan looking to pass the guard.

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.
Kiragosyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Valdez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Valdez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kiragosyan connects with a couple of short punches.
Kiragosyan wants to pass the guard but Valdez is keeping the position.
Kiragosyanis looking to pass into half guard but Valdez pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Valdez is in guard.
Valdez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kiragosyan's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kiragosyan is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Valdez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Valdez stops a takedown attempt from Kiragosyan.

Kiragosyan has Valdez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kiragosyan pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Valdez tumbling to the mat - Kiragosyan dives into Valdez's guard.
Kiragosyan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Valdez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kiragosyan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiragosyan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Valdez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kiragosyan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kiragosyan thows a big elbow that misses.
Valdez wants to stand and escape but Kiragosyan is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Valdez fails to land with a series of punches.
Valdez throws a series of strikes that have Kiragosyan backpedaling.

It looks like Samvel Kiragosyan has been cut.
Some wild striking there from Valdez.
Valdez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Diego Valdez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Valdez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kiragosyan shoots in looking for a takedown. Valdez tries to sprawl out of it but Kiragosyan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Valdez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Diego Valdez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Samvel Kiragosyan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Valdez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kiragosyan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Valdez sprawls well. Valdez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kiragosyan gets slowly back to his feet.
Kiragosyan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Valdez defends it nicely.
Diego Valdez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valdez throws a nice looking combination but Kiragosyan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Valdez throws a right and a left that Kiragosyan avoids nicely.

Kiragosyan shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kiragosyan showed some decent athleticism there.
Valdez is refusing to be controlled, as Kiragosyan sits in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez looks like he's trying to stand up.
Valdez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kiragosyan.
Valdez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kiragosyan.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kiragosyan lands a nice short elbow.
Kiragosyan looks to land a strike but Valdez avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kiragosyan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kiragosyan throws a strike but Valdez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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.
Kiragosyan has a closed guard, preventing Valdez from standing up.

Kiragosyan has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Valdez off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Kiragosyan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Valdez did well to prevent Kiragosyan getting side control.
Kiragosyan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Valdez wants to get back to his feet.
Kiragosyan scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kiragosyan with the ground and pound but Valdez uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kiragosyan throwing strikes from guard but Valdez blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiragosyan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kiragosyan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kiragosyan is in close to Valdez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kiragosyan is looking to work some ground and pound but Valdez has wrist control.
Kiragosyan lands a couple of elbows.
Kiragosyan is looking to work some ground and pound but Valdez has wrist control.
Valdez wants to stand and escape but Kiragosyan is having none of it.
Kiragosyan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Valdez kicks Kiragosyan off and gets to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Valdez.

Kiragosyan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kiragosyan landing some decent shots from guard.
Valdez is looking to stand up but Kiragosyan isn't so interested in that idea.
Kiragosyan lands a couple of digs.
Kiragosyan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samvel Kiragosyan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kiragosyan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samvel Kiragosyan!