PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hector Valdemes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianni Visnadi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Visnadi has chosen Blind by Korn as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Valdemes
vs
Visnadi

165 cm
22
155 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

184 cm
23
157 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Hector Valdemes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gianni Visnadi!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdemes doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Visnadi counters by clinching up.

Valdemes successfully pulls guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Visnadi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Visnadi works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Valdemes tries to bench press Visnadi off him but Visnadi keeps the position.
Valdemes manages to get back to half guard.
Visnadi prevents Valdemes from improving his position.
Visnadi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Visnadi is keen to just control but Valdemes is a slippery customer.
Valdemes slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Valdemes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Visnadi manages to get himself to full guard.

Valdemes has gone for a leg lock! Visnadi slips out almost immediately though and dives into Valdemes's guard.
Visnadi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Valdemes working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Visnadi has passed into half guard!
Visnadi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Valdemes tries to get to full guard but Visnadi has control of the leg.
Valdemes is refusing to be controlled, as Visnadi sits in half guard.
Visnadi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Visnadi prevents Valdemes from improving his position.
Visnadi wants to control but Valdemes is keeping him busy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Visnadi passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Valdemes!
Visnadi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Valdemes can't escape the position.
Visnadi is landing with some decent strikes but Valdemes is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Visnadi dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdemes sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Visnadi seems to be looking for submissions.
Visnadi is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Valdemes wants to improve his position but Visnadi is controlling well.
Valdemes is working hard here to advance position.
Valdemes gets full guard.
Valdemes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Visnadi wants to control from the top but Valdemes keeps moving.

Valdemes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Visnadi passes into half guard.
Valdemes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Visnadi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valdemes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Valdemes tries to get to full guard but Visnadi has control of the leg.

Visnadi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Valdemes has managed to free his arm - good work.
Valdemes moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Visnadi is looking to work some ground and pound but Valdemes has wrist control.
Valdemes keeping moving, preventing Visnadi from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Valdemes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Visnadi defends it easily.

Valdemes throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Visnadi escapes and throws Valdemes's legs to the side, diving into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gianni Visnadi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Visnadi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Valdemes fails to pull guard.
Visnadi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Valdemes's face.

Visnadi breaks from the clinch.

Visnadi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Valdemes tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Visnadi is in Valdemes's guard.

Valdemes has an active guard here but Visnadi has managed to pass into half guard.
Valdemes is looking for a sweep. Visnadi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Visnadi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Valdemes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Visnadi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Visnadi working Valdemes over with strikes.
Visnadi prevents Valdemes from improving his position.
Visnadi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Valdemes's head.
Visnadi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Visnadi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Valdemes is pressing down on Visnadi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Visnadi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Valdemes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Valdemes manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Visnadi tries to control the position but Valdemes now has his back.

Valdemes working for the choke.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Valdemes has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Visnadi rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Visnadi tries to roll over but Valdemes keeps him under control.
Visnadi is trying to control but can't.

Valdemes seems to be looking for submissions.
Gianni Visnadi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Visnadi wants to control but Valdemes is keeping busy.
Visnadi tries to get to full guard but Valdemes has control of the leg.
Visnadi is trying to stand back up but Valdemes is controlling him
Valdemes trying to control from half guard but Visnadi is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valdemes wants to work for an arm triangle but Visnadi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Visnadi tries to roll over but Valdemes keeps him under control.

Valdemes looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Visnadi wants to get back to full guard.
Visnadi is pressing down on Valdemes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Valdemes drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Valdemes jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Visnadi throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valdemes drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Visnadi dives on top into guard.
Valdemes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Visnadi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Visnadi throwing strikes from guard but Valdemes blocks nicely.
Visnadi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Valdemes is looking for a triangle here but Visnadi uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valdemes gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valdemes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Visnadi.
Valdemes is pressing down on Visnadi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Valdemes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianni Visnadi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Valdemes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Visnadi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Visnadi swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Valdemes stuffs the takedown attempt from Visnadi. Visnadi gets slowly back to his feet.
Visnadi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Valdemes.
Valdemes misses with a takedown
and Visnadi counters with a leg kick.
Visnadi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Visnadi throws a quick inside leg 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!
Valdemes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Visnadi counters with a solid body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Valdemes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valdemes misses with a takedown attempt

and Visnadi counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Visnadi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A solid leg kick lands there for Visnadi.
Valdemes looks for a takedown but Visnadi sprawls well.

Visnadi has managed to clinch.

Visnadi breaks the clinch.
Visnadi throws a head kick but Valdemes moves out of range.
Valdemes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Visnadi as he avoids it easily.
Valdemes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Visnadi but Visnadi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Visnadi is looking to slow Valdemes down with leg kicks.
Visnadi throws a head kick but Valdemes moves out of range.
Hector Valdemes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdemes with a lazy takedown attempt

and Visnadi counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valdemes is trying to get back to half guard.

Visnadi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Valdemes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Visnadi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Valdemes, who protects the arm well.
Valdemes is looking to reverse the position.
Valdemes is trying to escape the position but Visnadi is controlling the position.
Valdemes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Visnadi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Valdemes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdemes tries to bench press Visnadi off him but Visnadi keeps the position.
Valdemes manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Visnadi works his way to full guard. Good work.

Valdemes has gone for a leg lock! Visnadi slips out almost immediately though and dives into Valdemes's guard.
Valdemes looking for a sweep. Not yet Valdemes, not yet.
Visnadi lands a couple of elbows.
Gianni Visnadi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Visnadi with a nice head shot there.

Valdemes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Valdemes keeping moving, preventing Visnadi from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valdemes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Visnadi trying to control the position from guard on top but Valdemes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Visnadi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valdemes thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Valdemes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Visnadi trying to control the position from guard on top but Valdemes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Visnadi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gianni Visnadi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Visnadi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gianni Visnadi!
A relieved looking Gianni Visnadi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.