PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pluto Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palhares comes to the cage accompanied by TOQUINHO. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Palhares
vs
Valentine

181 cm
31
171 lbs
27 - 2 - 0

185 cm
32
193 lbs
35 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Convicted Trap House

Reaper Combatwear
Conviction

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 27 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pluto Palhares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Valentine!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentine lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Valentine throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Palhares stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Palhares throws a low kick but Valentine avoids it.
Good leg kick by Palhares there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Pluto Palhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valentine feints and then cracks Palhares's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Palhares down.
Palhares misses with a low kick.
Valentine lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Valentine feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Palharess jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Palhares throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Valentine takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A head kick misses from Palhares.
Valentine attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Valentine.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A good leg kick by Palhares.
Valentine on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Palhares throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Valentine moves into the clinch.
Palhares lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Valentine controlling the action here for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares blocks a body shot from Valentine.
Palhares is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Palhares throws a punch but it's blocked by Valentine.
Valentine lands with a short shot to the head.
Valentine stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Palhares throws a punch but it's blocked by Valentine.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Valentine.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Valentine.
A head punch on the inside from Palhares fails to land.
We've been informed that Valentine has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Palhares being controlled against the cage.
Palhares tries to work over Valentine's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Palhares takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Palhares effectively controlling the action here.
Valentine has Palhares pushed against the cage.
Valentine misses with a punch to the body.
Valentine blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Palhares misses with a short punch on the inside.
Valentine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palhares lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Valentine throws a head punch that misses.
Valentine lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Palhares escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice defenses there by Palhares.
Palhares with a hook.
Valentine pivots, looking for a leg kick but Palhares is out of range and Valentine settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine lands a nice shot that snaps Palhares's head back.
Palhares misses with a shot to the body

and Valentine counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Palhares avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Valentine is fighting to break Palhares's control of his arms but Palhares is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Palhares is trying to control the position but Valentine postures up.
Valentine stopping the sweep attempt from Palhares.
Valentine postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Palhares utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valentine accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Palhares is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Pluto Palhares just wasn't active enough.
Valentine stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Palhares.
Valentine moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A low kick from Valentine is predictable there

and Palhares decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Valentine's guard.
Valentine manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Palhares manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valentine throwing strikes but missing.
Palhares trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexander Valentine will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Valentine tried to score with a low kick but Palhares checks it.
Valentine swings for the body but Palhares moves out of range.
Palhares dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Valentine. That did some damage!
Valentine checks a leg kick nicely.
Palhares on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Valentine lands a leg kick that knocks Palhares off balance momentarily.
Palhares is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Valentine.
Valentine lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Valentine takes a swing at Palhares's ribcage but misses.
Valentine looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Palhares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Palhares throws a wild body kick that Valentine sees coming a mile off.
Valentine does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Valentine ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Palhares moves away.
Valentine stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Palhares scores with a nice body kick.
Palhares on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Alexander Valentine seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valentine thows a body shot but no joy.
Palhares lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Alexander Valentine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Valentine lands a nice leg kick that just misses Palhares's sensitive parts.
Palhares connects with a solid leg kick.
Palhares misses with a looping left.
Palhares walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Valentine checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Valentine gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Palhares moves away from the strike by Valentine.
Palhares throws a hook to the side of Valentine's head but Valentine sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Palhares misses with a leg kick

and Valentine counters by clinching up.
A short right from Valentine.
Valentine is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Valentine backwards.
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!
Palhares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Palhares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Valentine lands with a right to the head.
Valentine misses with a body punch.
Palhares tries to work over Valentine's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Valentine blocks a body shot from Palhares.
Palhares dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Palhares stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Valentine fails to land.
Valentine can't find room to land a body shot as Palhares controls the action.
Palhares lands with a short shot to the head.
Valentine misses with a punch on the inside.
Valentine can't find room to land a body shot as Palhares controls the action.
Palhares pushes Valentine back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares misses with a punch on the inside.
Palhares blocking some punches.
Valentine is trying to maintain a safe position but Palhares gets an underhook and turns Valentine into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Palhares.
Valentine wants to get back to striking at distance but Palhares won't allow it.
Palhares tries to work over Valentine's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Palhares successfully pulls guard.
Valentine missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valentine wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.
Palhares not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Valentine throws a big elbow that misses.

Valentine avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Valentine throwing strikes from guard but Palhares blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Valentine throws a big right hand that misses.
Palhares keeping moving, preventing Valentine from controlling successfully.
Valentine working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Palhares's head.
Palhares looking to hit a scissor sweep but Valentine is one step ahead there.
Valentine keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Palhares's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valentine sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Palhares's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Valentine will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Palhares swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Valentine misses with a wild body shot.
Valentine misses with a looping right.
Palhares drops his hands momentarily and Valentine takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Palhares misses with a jab, cross combination.
A slapping leg kick lands for Palhares.
Palhares misses with a low kick.
Palhares ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Palhares shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Valentine pinned against the cage. Valentine gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Palhares scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Valentine doesn't seem bothered though.
Valentine works Palhares's body with a nice hook.
Palhares moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Palhares throws a lazy right hand but Valentine sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice body punch from Valentine.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palhares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Valentine takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Valentine connects with a body shot that sends Palhares's belly button to the back.
Valentine walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Palhares checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Palhares looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Palhares swings for the body but Valentine moves out of range.
Palhares looks to throw a body kick

and Valentine counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Palhares!
Palhares is trying to control Valentine's posture but Valentine avoids it.
Palhares is trying to get back to half guard.
Valentine trying to control the action but Palhares is working from the bottom.
Valentine tries to score with some ground and pound. Palhares controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Pluto Palhares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares is trying to improve his position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentine landing strikes.
Palhares parries the strikes from Valentine easily there. Valentine is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Palhares to escape.
Valentine postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Palhares is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Alexander Valentine has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valentine working the body and head with strikes.
Valentine lands a few punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares is looking for a sweep.
Valentine controls the position.
Valentine postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Palhares takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Palhares is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Palhares's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Valentine working the head with strikes.
Palhares wants to control but Valentine postures up.
Valentine working the ground and pound but Palhares is defending the strikes.
Valentine postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Palhares tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
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.
Palhares seems a little lost for a moment, as Valentine dominates the positioning.
Palhares manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palhares missing with punches from the bottom.
Valentine performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Palhares is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Valentine pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Valentine in particular looking to stall.
Valentine trying to control from half guard but Palhares is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Valentine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Valentine 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Valentine!
Post fight, an emotional Alexander Valentine said 'In a career full of ups and downs, this win , hopefully, is the start of something amazing! '.