PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ruben Valderon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Butcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruben Valderon has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Valderon
vs
Butcher

172 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
19
174 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruben Valderon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Butcher!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valderon throws a series of punches but Butcher avoids them all with ease.
Butcher misses with a takedown attempt - Valderon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Valderon tests Butcher's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Valderon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Butcher moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Butcher tries for a takedown but Valderon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valderon misses with a double jab.
Butcher tries to clinch but Valderon is having none of it.
Valderon lands a jab to the nose.
Valderon scores with a jab to the jaw.
Valderon tries to bum rush Butcher with a series of wild strikes but Butcher uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A combination from Valderon does no damage.
Valderon misses with a series of wild punches.
Butcher throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Valderon takes the fight into the clinch.
Valderon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Valderon can't break the clinch.

Valderon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valderon throws a left and a right that both miss
and Butcher counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Butcher tries to move into range but Valderon moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Butcher takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Butcher.

Butcher closes the distance and clinches.
Valderon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Valderon is trying to break free.
Butcher throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Valderons head.
Valderon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Butcher has him pressed against the cage.
Butcher leaning against his opponent.
Valderon tries to break the clinch but Butcher is controlling the position.
Valderon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Butcher breaks from the clinch.
Valderon scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Butcher darts in trying to clinch
and Valderon counters with a nice body shot.
Valderon throws a right hand that Butcher ducks under and follows up with a left that Butcher also avoids with ease.
A nice combination there by Valderon.
Valderon is breathing heavily.
No joy there for Butcher, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Valderon misses the jab.
Valderon scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Valderon swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Butcher counters with a big head kick but Valderon shrugs it off.
Butcher dodges the punch combination from Valderon.

Butcher scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Butcher controlling the action here.

Butcher is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Valderon might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Butcher is trying to control the action in half guard but Valderon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Valderon is looking for a sweep. Butcher is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Butcher is trying to work for a kimura but Valderon is defending well.
Butcher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Valderon. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Valderon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Valderon wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Butcher wants to pass the guard but Valderon is keeping the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Valderon lands a glancing blow to the side of Butcher's head.
Butcher wants to clinch.
Valderon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Valderon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Valderon scores with a body shot.
Valderon keeps the fight on the outside.
Valderon fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ruben Valderon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valderon goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Valderon connects with a good right hand that stumbles Butcher. Butcher circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Valderon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horrible takedown by Butcher or perhaps it was just good defense by Valderon which made him look bad.
Ruben Valderon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Butcher.
Valderon misses with a double jab

and Butcher counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher scores with a knee to the head.
Butcher tries to score a body lock takedown but Valderon shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Valderon is looking to break free of the clinch but Butcher has double underhooks.
Valderon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Valderon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Valderon misses with a combination
and Butcher counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Valderon is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Valderon misses with the combination.

Butcher gets a clinch.
Butcher connects with a knee to the head.

Valderon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valderon moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valderon lands a right hook to the body.
Valderon connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Butcher fails with an attempt to clinch.

Butcher changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Valderon looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruben Valderon dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Valderon throws a right hand that Butcher ducks under and follows up with a left that Butcher also avoids with ease.
Valderon throws a series of punches but Butcher avoids them all with ease.
Butcher fails with the takedown
and Valderon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Butcher fails in his attempt to clinch.
A left and a right from Valderon both land. Nice combination.
Butcher avoids a punch combination nicely.
Butcher connects with a high kick.
Butcher wants to clinch up but Valderon keeps it at a distance.
Ruben Valderon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Butcher dodges the punch combination from Valderon.
Left hook, right uppercut from Butcher.
Butcher throws a head kick that Valderon semi-blocks.
Valderon moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ruben Valderon is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Butcher doesn't manage to clinch there - Valderon circles away.
Butcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Butcher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valderon swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Valderon as he jumps to the side.
Valderon throws a left and a right that both miss

and Butcher counters with a nice double leg into side control. Valderon won't be happy with that.
Butcher throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Butcher lands a nice forearm strike.
Valderon is trying to get back to half guard.
Valderon takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Valderon sneaks back into half guard.
Valderon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Butcher looking to pass the guard.
Valderon scores with a nice shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valderon tries to strike from the bottom.
Valderon has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Butcher has passed into side control.
Valderon tries to improve position but can't.
Valderon manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valderon gets full guard.
Butcher preventing the sweep.
Butcher trying to control but Valderon is working from the bottom.
Valderon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Valderon with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Butcher can't handle though.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Butcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher wants to stand but Valderon has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Butcher drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Butcher has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Butcher throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Butcher scoring well with a low kick there.
Butcher slips a jab and a cross from Valderon.
Valderon throws a left and a right that both miss
and Butcher counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Valderon is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Valderon throws a series of strikes that have Butcher backpedaling.
Valderon throws an overhand right that lands on Butcher's shoulder, as Butcher tries to avoid the shot.
Valderon connects with a nice looking jab.
Valderon misses with a double jab

and Butcher counters by clinching up.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Butcher.
A shot in the inside from Valderon.
Valderon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Butcher has him pressed against the cage.
Butcher tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ruben Valderon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Butcher.
Butcher misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher scores a nice knee to the body.
Valderon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Valderon is looking to break free of the clinch but Butcher has double underhooks.
Valderon wants to break free but Butcher has control.

Valderon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Valderon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Valderon throws a leg kick
and Butcher counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Valderon lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Butcher has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Valderon misses with the combination.
A punch lands to the side of Butcher 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Butcher has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Butcher moves into the clinch.
Valderon wants to break the clinch but can't.

Valderon breaks from the clinch.
Valderon swinging wilding here.
Valderon has a takedown stuffed.
Valderon is working the combinations to good effect here.
Butcher shoots in and drives through. Valderon sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jack Butcher will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Butcher slips a jab and a cross from Valderon.
A combination from Valderon does no damage.
Butcher looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Valderon lands a two punch combo.
Butcher scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Valderon is looking to clinch.
Valderon throws a series of punches but Butcher avoids them all with ease.
Valderon throws a low kick but it's checked well by Butcher.

Butcher clinches up against the cage.

Butcher manages to break the clinch.
Butcher dodges the punch combination from Valderon.

Butcher has managed to clinch.
Valderon takes an elbow to the forehead.

Butcher breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valderon stuffs the takedown attempt from Butcher. Butcher gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Butcher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valderon fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Valderon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Butcher checks a leg kick nicely.
Valderon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A punch combination from Valderon misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Valderon.
Valderon throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Butcher holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Valderon is trying to break free.

Valderon breaks the clinch.
Valderon throws a series of punches but Butcher avoids them all with ease.
Valderon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Valderon instigates a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Butcher.
Butcher taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Butcher doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Valderon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Butcher misses with the head strike.

Valderon has Butcher pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Valderon pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Butcher tumbling to the mat - Valderon dives into Butcher's guard.
Valderon passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Butcher looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Valderon lands a couple of digs.
Valderon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Butcher works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Valderon missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Butcher preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valderon slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Butcher wants to control but Valderon postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valderon scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Butcher to see if he's OK.
Butcher gets back to half guard.
Valderon takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Butcher wants to sweep but Valderon has passed to side control!
Butcher tries to improve position but can't.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Valderon is trying to move to mount but Butcher reverses beautifully and ends up in Valderon's guard.
Butcher must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Valderon wants to sweep here but Butcher controlling him for the moment.
Valderon keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Valderon trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Valderon has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

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.
Valderon is striking from the bottom but Butcher uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Butcher missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Valderon is staying active underneath Butcher, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Valderon throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Butcher counters with a nice double leg into side control. Valderon won't be happy with that.
Butcher tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Valderon tries to bench press Butcher off him but Butcher keeps the position.
Valderon is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Butcher off and has taken his back!
Butcher wants to control his opponent's hands but Valderon gets his hands free.
Valderon scores with strikes from the back.

Butcher fending off the submission attempt from Valderon.
Valderon is punishing Butcher with strikes - can he finish him?!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ruben Valderon.
I think Valderon 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!