PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phoenix Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ugor Makinwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Valentine might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Liquid Tension Experiment - Acid Rain. Ugor Makinwa will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Valentine
vs
Makinwa

170 cm
23
205 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

195 cm
20
210 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!
160!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Phoenix Valentine!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ugor Makinwa!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Paulo Santos and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentine wants to land a leg kick but Makinwa is out of range.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Makinwa sees it coming and moves out of range.
Valentine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Makinwa as he avoids it easily.
Valentine throws a nice outside leg kick.
Makinwa lands a head shot.

It looks like Phoenix Valentine has been cut.
Makinwa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Valentine.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Makinwa, right into the meat.
Valentine throws a front kick aimed at Makinwa's knee but Makinwa avoids it well.
Jab by Makinwa.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good exchange - Makinwa coming out on top.
Makinwa misses with a straight right.
Makinwa checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A solid leg kick lands there for Valentine.
A nice inside leg kick there by Valentine. That's going to slow Makinwa down.
Phoenix Valentine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Valentine shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Makinwa is trying to defend but Valentine finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Makinwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Makinwa has hold of Valentine's hands but Valentine slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Valentine thows a huge punch but Makinwa dodges it nicely.
Valentine slips a nice elbow through Makinwa's hands, connecting with Makinwa's forehead.
Makinwa trying to control here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Makinwa can do anything to dispel that myth.
Valentine not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Makinwa won't allow Valentine to pass to mount.
Valentine throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Valentine slips a nice elbow through Makinwa's hands, connecting with Makinwa's forehead.
Valentine scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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!
Valentine thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makinwa's head.
Makinwa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Valentine. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Valentine is looking to take a break and control but Makinwa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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. Valentine connects with a nice short shot to Makinwa's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makinwa is looking for a sweep. Valentine is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Valentine throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Makinwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Valentine thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makinwa's head.
Valentine thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Makinwa slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Makinwa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Valentine gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Valentine passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valentine tries to score with some ground and pound. Makinwa controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine cracks Makinwa with a big right hand but Makinwa just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Valentine throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Makinwa is looking for a sweep.
Makinwa takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Valentine cracks Makinwa with a big right hand but Makinwa just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valentine cracks Makinwa with a big right hand but Makinwa just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Valentine landing strikes.
Valentine landing a few strikes.
Valentine throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Makinwa wants to control but Valentine postures up.
Valentine looks up at the clock and then as Makinwa takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Valentine smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Makinwa tries to buck Valentine off but Valentine is having none of it.
Makinwa can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The ground and pound from Valentine seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Valentine scores with a couple of short elbows.
Valentine landing strikes.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Makinwa takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Valentine remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Valentine sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Makinwa is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Valentine 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Makinwa takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Makinwa is looking to regain half guard here but Valentine keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phoenix Valentine dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Phoenix Valentine's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Makinwa checks a low kick from Valentine.
Makinwa throws out a loose jab but Valentine uses good head movement to avoid it.

Valentine dives in and scores a takedown into Makinwa's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makinwa has momentary wrist control but Valentine slips an elbow through the middle.
Makinwa has momentary wrist control but Valentine slips an elbow through the middle.
Valentine throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Makinwa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Valentine.
Makinwa keeping full guard, as Valentine tries to pass.
Valentine throwing strikes but missing.
Valentine might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Valentine in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Makinwa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Valentine scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makinwa can't keep his opponent in guard - Valentine advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Valentine controlling the pace.
Makinwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Valentine looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Valentine lands strikes from half guard.
Valentine thows a huge punch but Makinwa dodges it nicely.
Valentine takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Valentine thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makinwa's head.
Makinwa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Valentine.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valentine throwing shots but Makinwa is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Valentine landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Valentine throwing shots but Makinwa is blocking nicely.
Valentine lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Makinwa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Valentine.
Valentine sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Makinwa defending well though.
Valentine throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valentine looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Makinwa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Makinwa wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Valentine not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Makinwa is trying to maintain the position but Valentine is very close to passing his half guard.
Valentine lands strikes from half guard.
Valentine trying to control the action but Makinwa is working from the bottom.
Valentine throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Makinwa trying to control but Valentine postures up.
Valentine takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Makinwa taking some punishment here, with Valentine in his half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valentine not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Valentine thows a huge punch but Makinwa dodges it nicely.
Makinwa won't allow Valentine to pass to mount.
Valentine throwing shots but Makinwa is blocking nicely.
Valentine throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valentine winds up and cracks Makinwa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Makinwa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Valentine scores with a couple of nice shots.
Valentine is trying to control. Makinwa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valentine throwing shots but Makinwa is blocking nicely.
Makinwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Phoenix Valentine overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makinwa is in trouble now - Valentine has advanced to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phoenix Valentine dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Phoenix Valentine's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Makinwa checks a low kick from Valentine.
Makinwa throws a big shot that misses.
Valentine fails with the takedown.
Ugor Makinwa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Makinwa misses with a hook.
Makinwa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Valentine fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Makinwa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Makinwa throws the left hand but Valentine avoids the punch easily.
Valentine motions for Makinwa to come forward. Valentine throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Makinwa blocks a low kick nicely.
Makinwa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Valentine drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Valentine is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Makinwa can do to turn this around?
Makinwa tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Valentine working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine is putting a hurting on Makinwa here, landing some big shots from side control.
Valentine throws a strike aimed at the side of Makinwa's head but Makinwa avoids it well.
Valentine landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Valentine cracks Makinwa with a big elbow.
Makinwa regains half guard, as Valentine was trying to land strikes.
Makinwa is looking for a sweep. Valentine is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Makinwa regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Valentine.
Valentine throws an elbow that misses. Makinwa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Valentine's guard. Nice move by Makinwa!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine managing to control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makinwa stopping the sweep attempt from Valentine.
Makinwa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Valentine is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Makinwais looking to pass into half guard but Valentine pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Valentine is in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine looking to sit in guard and control but Makinwa gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Makinwa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valentine swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Makinwa postures up in Valentine's guard and throws a big left but Valentine blocks it.
Valentine manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Makinwa manages to get himself to full guard.
Valentine throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Makinwa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Valentine postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine wants to pass the guard but Makinwa is keeping the position.

Makinwa is looking for a triangle but Valentine pushes his legs off easily.
Valentine throwing strikes from guard but Makinwa blocks nicely.
Valentine postures up in Makinwa's guard and throws a big left but Makinwa blocks it.
Valentine lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
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!
Makinwa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valentine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Valentine lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Valentine throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Makinwa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phoenix Valentine clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Phoenix Valentine's cut.
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.

Valentine feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Makinwa's calf.

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

Makinwa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Valentine defends it easily.
Valentine pushes down on Makinwa's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Valentine sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Makinwa defending well though.
Makinwa is trying to get back to full guard.
Makinwa is staying active underneath Valentine, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Makinwa tries to get to full guard but Valentine has control of the leg.
Valentine lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makinwa is looking to control Valentine's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Makinwa avoid being mounted?
Valentine throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Makinwa trying to control but Valentine postures up.
Makinwa has hold of Valentine's hands but Valentine slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Valentine lands strikes from half guard.
Valentine throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valentine throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Valentine wants to pass to mount but Makinwa is defending the position.
Valentine throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine trying to control the pace.
Makinwa works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valentine with a nice head shot there.
Valentine loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Valentine wants to control from the top but Makinwa keeps moving.
Makinwa is trying to control the position but Valentine postures up.
Valentine trying to control but Makinwa is working from the bottom.
Valentine is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makinwa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Makinwa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Valentine.
Valentine trying to control but Makinwa is working from the bottom.
Valentine postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Valentine in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Valentine's corner is telling him to maintain position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valentine accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Makinwa controls Valentine momentarily but Valentine frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine is in close to Makinwa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Makinwa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Valentine throws a big right hand that misses.
Valentine missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valentine trying to control the position from guard on top but Makinwa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Valentine landing some decent shots from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makinwa looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valentine missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valentine lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phoenix Valentine had his way with Ugor Makinwa in that round.
The cut man is working on Phoenix Valentine's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Makinwa looks to throw the jab but Valentine is out of range.
Makinwa keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Valentine tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Valentine lands a leg kick that knocks Makinwa off balance momentarily.
Valentine shoots in and drives through. Makinwa sprawls well.
Valentine connects with an inside leg kick.

Valentine closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Valentine throws an elbow but Makinwa slips to the side and avoids it well.
Makinwa managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Valentine.
Valentine throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Makinwa works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Makinwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Makinwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makinwa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Valentine scores with a couple of nice shots.
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. Valentine connects with a nice short shot to Makinwa's temple.
Valentine thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Valentine thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makinwa's head.
Makinwa trying to hold on to Valentine's head to control him but Valentine postures up.
Valentine wants to pass the guard but Makinwa is defending well.
Makinwa gets full guard.
Valentine missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valentine missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valentine looking to pass the guard.
Ugor Makinwa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine distracts Makinwa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valentine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Valentine lands a couple of elbows.
Makinwa controls Valentine momentarily but Valentine frees himself.
Valentine is looking to work some ground and pound but Makinwa has wrist control.
Makinwa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Valentine lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Valentine distracts Makinwa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Makinwa keeping moving, preventing Valentine from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine advances to half guard.
Valentine wants to pass the guard but Makinwa is defending well.
Valentine thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makinwa's head.
Makinwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Valentine thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makinwa's head.
Valentine thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makinwa's head.
Valentine not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Valentine missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Valentine is nestled in close to Makinwa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Valentine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine misses with a head shot. Makinwa uses the momentum to regain guard.
Valentine postures up and lands a big shot to Makinwa's brow.

Makinwa is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makinwa trying to control the position.
Valentine postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Makinwa keeping moving, preventing Valentine from controlling successfully.
Valentine working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valentine with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Valentine sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Makinwa's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phoenix Valentine showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Valentine, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 50:44
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 50:44
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phoenix Valentine!
Phoenix Valentine retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Phoenix Valentine thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.