PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Speed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giorgio Valentino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rufus Speed had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Speed
vs
Valentino

177 cm
27
159 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

190 cm
29
166 lbs
21 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Rufus Speed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Giorgio Valentino!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentino blocks a head kick by Speed.
Valentino chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Speed can pounce on him.
A big left from Speed misses.
Speed throws a low kick, looking for Valentino's leg but Valentino calmly moves out of range.
Speed lands a jab to Valentino's midsection.
Speed on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Valentino lands a nice shot that snaps Speed's head back.
Valentino throws out a leg kick but Speed moves out of range and Valentino only half commits.
A looping hook to the body misses from Speed. Valentino does a little dance to reset his feet.
Speed 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.

Valentino fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Speed, pushing him back against the cage.
Speed has a couple of punches blocked by Valentino.
Speed lands a body punch in the clinch.

Speed's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Valentino throws a leg kick

and Speed counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Speed pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Valentino is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valentino looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed is looking to advance position but Valentino has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Valentino controlling from the full mount.
Speed working to try and regain half guard.
Valentino is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentino controlling the pace for now.
Speed is working to get back to half guard.
Speed's coaches at THC playhouse have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Speed wants to hold on but Valentino pushes him away.
Valentino content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed is squirming around, avoiding Valentino's attempts to control the action.
Speed tries to hold on but Valentino pushes him away.
Valentino sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Speed tries to hold on but Valentino postures up.
Speed gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Speed looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Valentino trying to pass the guard but Speed defending well.
Speed is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Speed is working hard here to advance position.
Speed is looking to control Valentino's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Speed avoid being mounted?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Well, if Valentino is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Speed trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Speed dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Speed throws a leg kick but Valentino sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Speed lands with a thumping leg kick.

Valentino gets caught flat footed, as Speed shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Valentino has control of Speed's left arm, preventing Speed from doing any damage.
Valentino wants to sweep but no luck.
Valentino keeping full guard, as Speed tries to pass.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Valentino is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Giorgio Valentino.
Speed moves out of range of the leg kick from Valentino.
Speed scores with a leg kick.
Speed throws a hook to the side of Valentino's head but Valentino sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Speed attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Valentino displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Speed throws out the jab.
Valentino misses with the combination.
Speed tries to land a body kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Valentino fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Speed manages to avoid it.
Valentino walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Speed checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Valentino takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Valentino throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Valentino moves forwards but Speed connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Speed bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Valentino scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Speed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speed connects with an inside leg kick.
Rufus Speed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valentino throws out a leg kick but Speed moves out of range and Valentino only half commits.
Valentino throws a sloppy head kick and Speed moves out of range easily.
Valentino checks a low kick from Speed.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentino walks forward, straight into a front kick from Speed.
Speed swats away the attempt to clinch by Valentino.
Valentino takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Valentino connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Speed momentarily.
Speed keeps the fight on the outside.
Speed looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Valentino stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Speed.
An inside leg kick from Valentino misses.
Valentino scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Speed doesn't seem bothered though.
Speed needs to keep his hands up - Valentino had a free shot at his head there.
Valentino throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Valentino moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentino moves out of range of the leg kick from Speed.
Speed falls off balance throwing a combination
and Valentino counters with a series of strikes. Speed will be more careful next time no doubt.
Valentino pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A big left from Valentino misses.
Speed throws a body kick that misses.
Valentino scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Speed is looking to chop away at Valentino's legs.
Valentino swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Speed counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valentino is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Speed looking to pass the guard.
Rufus Speed overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed wants to control from the top but Valentino keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Speed walks into a straight right hand from Valentino.

Speed is rocked!
A low kick from Speed misses
and Valentino counters with a left to the body.
Valentino walks forward and throws a big overhand right! Speed drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes! Valentino swarms on him with more punches until the referee wrestles him away from Speed's unconscious body! Wow, that was brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Giorgio Valentino!
During a confident post fight interview, Giorgio Valentino thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.