PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Danza Kuduro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuduro's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Don Omar - Danza Kuduro. Danza Kuduro has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuduro
vs
Valentine

180 cm
30
190 lbs
21 - 5 - 2

185 cm
31
193 lbs
30 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry
Brute

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 5 - 2, fighting out of New York, Danza Kuduro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Valentine!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentine scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuduro doesn't seem bothered though.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Valentine is defended easily by Kuduro.
Kuduro's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuduro obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Valentine connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Valentine connects with a body shot.
Valentine cracks Kuduro with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Valentine pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valentine scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Valentine throws a right hand that misses
and Kuduro counters with a thumping low kick.
Kuduro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valentine.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine throws a poor cross that misses
and Kuduro counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Valentine thinking.
Kuduro on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Valentine. Valentine obviously looking to wear him down.
Valentine has his takedown stuffed
and Kuduro counters with a nice body kick.
Nice takedown defense from Valentine. No joy for Kuduro on that attempt.
Kuduro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Valentine avoids the body shot from Kuduro.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Valentine.
Valentine throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuduro fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Valentine keeps Kuduro at a distance using the push kick.
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!
Kuduro on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Valentine misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kuduro throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Valentine on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Valentine closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kuduro to the mat! Kuduro manages to get full guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kuduro is trying to control the position but Valentine postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valentine not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kuduro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuduro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Valentine.
Kuduro wants to sweep but no luck.
Valentine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuduro is keeping the position for now.
Kuduro can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Valentine controls the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kuduro lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuduro. Valentine does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valentine connects with a nice looking jab.
Valentine has a takedown stuffed.
Danza Kuduro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Valentine.
Valentine tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kuduro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Valentine.
An inside leg kick from Kuduro misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuduro moves forwards but Valentine connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Alexander Valentine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valentine throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Kuduro counters with a good low kick that Valentine was not able to check.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Valentine 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.

Kuduro takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Valentine lands a nice shot that snaps Kuduro's head back.
Kuduro lands a leg kick that knocks Valentine off balance momentarily.
Kuduro throws a wild body kick that Valentine sees coming a mile off.
A good leg kick by Valentine.
Valentine takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Valentine throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kuduro shoots for a takedown but Valentine saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuduro checks a leg kick.
Valentine swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kuduro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine misses with a low kick.
Kuduro digs a good hook to Valentine's body.
Jab from Valentine.
Kuduro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valentine connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Valentine closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kuduro circles away.
Kuduro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuduro swings for the body but Valentine moves out of range.
Kuduro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valentine manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Kuduro misses

and Valentine counters with a single leg into guard. Kuduro didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuduro looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Valentine throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kuduro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuduro has control of Valentine's left arm, preventing Valentine from doing any damage.
Kuduro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Valentine trying to control but Kuduro is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Danza Kuduro just wasn't active enough.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Valentine checks a leg kick.
Kuduro misses with an attempted mid kick.
Good leg kick by Valentine there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Valentine moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Valentine tries to work over Kuduro's front leg with a kick but Kuduro checks it.
Valentine misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kuduro slaps away a takedown attempt from Valentine, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick by Kuduro misses

and Valentine counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kuduro won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuduro is trying to work for a sweep but Valentine has mounted him!
Valentine lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kuduro hang on?
Valentine looking to control but Kuduro is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kuduro is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Valentine 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.

Kuduro shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Valentine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuduro manages to avoid it.
Alexander Valentine seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valentine keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kuduro displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Valentine.
Valentine scores with a decent looking hook.
Valentine waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuduro.
Valentine motions for Kuduro to come forward. Valentine throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kuduro throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Valentine connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kuduro.
Valentine looks to land a right hand but Kuduro moved out of range.
Kuduro with a nice cross.
Valentine throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Valentine takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Valentine looks to land a body kick but Kuduro moved away.
Valentine motions for Kuduro to come forward. Valentine throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Valentine connects with a body shot.
Jab, jab by Kuduro - just one landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuduro checks a leg kick nicely.
Kuduro connects with a body shot that sends Valentine's belly button to the back.
Valentine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Valentine misses with a straight right.
Kuduro scores with a jab to the head.
Valentine showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuduro.
Valentine misses with a jab to the body
and Kuduro counters with a leg kick.
Valentine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuduro wants to land a leg kick but Valentine is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuduro misses with a body kick.
Valentine cracks a nice hook into Kuduro's ribs.
Kuduro throws out a loose jab but Valentine uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuduro tried to score with a low kick but Valentine checks it.
Valentine cracks Kuduro with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Valentine wants to land a leg kick but Kuduro is out of range.
Kuduro tries to land a body kick

and Valentine counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Valentine.
Valentine forces his way into half guard.

Valentine is working for a kimura but Kuduro is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valentine thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Valentine wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuduro keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuduro is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Alexander Valentine just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Valentine lands a leg kick that knocks Kuduro off balance momentarily.
Good work by Valentine as he checks the leg kick.
Valentine stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Valentine scores with a punch to the head.
Valentine takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kuduro lands with a hook. Valentine tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuduro is looking to wear down Valentine with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Good leg kick by Kuduro there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kuduro lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Valentine shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuduro tries to sprawl out of it but Valentine keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuduro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Valentine throws a quick inside leg kick.
Valentine scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuduro takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kuduro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kuduro throws a leg kick that is checked

and Valentine counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kuduro wants to improve his position but Valentine is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Valentine in particular looking to stall.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valentine working Kuduro over with strikes.
Valentine is keen to just control but Kuduro is a slippery customer.
Kuduro controlling the position for now.
Kuduro regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuduro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kuduro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Valentine trying to control but Kuduro is working from the bottom.
Kuduro controls Valentine momentarily but Valentine frees himself.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Valentine trying to control but Kuduro is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alexander Valentine.
Valentine cracks Kuduro with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuduro lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Valentine at a distance.
Kuduro lands with a good body shot.
Valentine avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Valentine lands an overhand right.
Kuduro looks to land a left hand but Valentine moved out of range nicely.
Kuduro throws a quick inside leg kick.
Valentine's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuduro looks to land a combination. Valentine sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuduro throws a wild body kick that Valentine sees coming a mile off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Danza Kuduro will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kuduro turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Valentine wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Valentine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuduro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valentine moves away.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Kuduro moved away.
Kuduro uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Valentine.
Kuduro is looking to slow Valentine down with leg kicks.
Valentine moves forwards but Kuduro connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuduro misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuduro's head.
Valentine shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kuduro but Kuduro pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kuduro checks the leg kick.
Kuduro takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Valentine takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuduro swings for the body but Valentine moves out of range.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Kuduro checks it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kuduro.
Danza Kuduro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuduro throws a leg kick

and Valentine counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kuduro won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuduro regains half guard there - taking advantage of Valentine's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Kuduro is refusing to be controlled, as Valentine sits in half guard.
Kuduro trying to control here.
Valentine scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuduro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kuduro blocking the ground and pound attempt from Valentine.
Alexander Valentine has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valentine trying to control the action but Kuduro is working from the bottom.
Kuduro wants to get back to full guard but Valentine has mounted him!
Valentine scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kuduro?
Kuduro is working to get back to half guard.
Alexander Valentine is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine controlling the position easily from mount.
Kuduro is trying to escape the mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Valentine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Valentine has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:50
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Valentine!
Alexander Valentine is the new middleweight champion!
An intense looking Alexander Valentine took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'In a career full of ups and downs, this win , hopefully, is the start of something amazing! '.