PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julian Valdez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valdez has chosen so amazing as his entrance music. Thiago Anderson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Julian Valdez's chin.

Anderson
vs
Valdez

200 cm
19
190 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

187 cm
23
185 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thiago Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Julian Valdez!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Valdez checks a leg kick.
Anderson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Valdez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Anderson!
Valdez throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Valdez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Anderson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Valdez tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
The referee warns Anderson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Valdez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Valdez working Anderson over with strikes here.
Valdez landing strikes from the mount and Anderson is in trouble!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valdez looking to finish Anderson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Anderson!
Valdez landing strikes from the mount and Anderson is in trouble!
Valdez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez punishing his opponent with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valdez throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Valdez working the ground and pound effectively.
Valdez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Valdez throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Valdez misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Valdez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Valdez connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Valdez working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Anderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Anderson tries to get out of the position.
Valdez lands a heavy elbow.
Valdez connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Valdez looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez landing punches.
Anderson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Valdez on the ground.
Anderson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Valdez putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Valdez throws some wild stikes that Anderson manages to avoid easily.
Anderson wants to try and get back to his feet.
Valdez landing punches.
Anderson really wants to buck Valdez off and get back to his feet.
Valdez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Anderson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
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!
Anderson is bucking up trying to escape but Valdez cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Valdez in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez is landing with some decent strikes but Anderson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Valdez working Anderson over with strikes here.
Valdez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valdez punishing his opponent with strikes.
Valdez landing shots from mount.
Anderson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Valdez misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Anderson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Valdez.
Valdez landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Valdez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Anderson wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Valdez.
Anderson taking shots to the head.
Valdez fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Anderson really wants to buck Valdez off and get back to his feet.
Valdez lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valdez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Anderson?
Valdez dominating with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Valdez dominated that 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.

Valdez gets a takedown into half guard.
Valdez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Anderson defending well though.
Valdez working the head and body with strikes.
Anderson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Valdez thows a huge punch but Anderson dodges it nicely.
Valdez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Anderson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valdez.
Anderson is trying to stand up here but Valdez is controlling him well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Valdez connects with a nice short shot to Anderson's temple.
Anderson wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez uses his free foot to push down on Anderson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Anderson.
Valdez lands a big shot there that rocks Anderson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Valdez cracks Anderson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Valdez fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Valdez throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Valdez throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Valdez fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez with shots to the head and body - Anderson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Valdez throws some wild stikes that Anderson manages to avoid easily.
Valdez lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Valdez thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Valdez breaks from Anderson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Valdez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Anderson looks a forlorn figure.
Valdez with good strikes from the mount here!
Anderson is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Anderson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez punishing his opponent with strikes.
Valdez looking to finish Anderson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Anderson!
Valdez is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Valdez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Valdez landing shots from mount.
Anderson is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Valdez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Valdez unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Valdez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Valdez lands a big elbow.
Valdez throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Valdez with good strikes from the mount here!
Valdez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Anderson is trying to stand up.
Valdez cracks Anderson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Valdez throwing strikes here but Anderson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Valdez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Julian Valdez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valdez landing strikes from the mount and Anderson is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Valdez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Valdez shoots for a takedown but Anderson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Valdez shoots in and drives through. Anderson sprawls well.
A nice combination there by Anderson.
Anderson sizes up Valdez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Valdez dives in and grabs Anderson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Anderson pushes down on Valdez's head and hops out.
Thiago Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julian Valdez.
Left hook, right uppercut from Anderson.
Anderson misses with the combination.
Valdez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Anderson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Valdez somewhat.
Anderson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Valdez doesn't seem bothered though.
Anderson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Valdez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thiago Anderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Valdez slips a jab and a cross from Anderson.
Anderson throws a series of punches but Valdez moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Valdez shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Anderson's guard.
Valdez is looking to work some ground and pound but Anderson has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Anderson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Anderson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Valdez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Valdez is looking to work some ground and pound but Anderson has wrist control.
Anderson wants to stand but Valdez is controlling the position.
Valdez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Valdez postures up in Anderson's guard and throws a big left but Anderson blocks it.
Thiago Anderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Valdez fails with a takedown attempt.

Valdez shoots in and bounces Anderson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Anderson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valdez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Valdez lands a couple of digs.
Anderson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Anderson is looking to stand up but Valdez isn't so interested in that idea.
Valdez tries to free his leg and advance position but Anderson is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez throws a big right hand that misses.
Valdez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Anderson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A jab from Anderson does it's job there.
Nice takedown defense from Anderson. No joy for Valdez on that attempt.
Thiago Anderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Anderson closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Anderson's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A clash of legs there as Valdez blocks the low kick.

Valdez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Anderson regains half guard, as Valdez was trying to land strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valdez.
Valdez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Valdez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Anderson's head.
Valdez drops an elbow to the side of Anderson's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Valdez lands a nice short elbow.
Valdez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Anderson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valdez.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Julian Valdez.
I've got Valdez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Fujiwara scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julian Valdez!