PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Phraya Phichai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Phichai
vs
Valentine

184 cm
30
192 lbs
21 - 8 - 1

185 cm
39
193 lbs
50 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Namunamu Clothing
Perkele!

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 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Phraya Phichai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 50 - 21 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexander Valentine!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phichai pivots, looking for a leg kick but Valentine is out of range and Phichai settles back down.
Valentine takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Valentine uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phichai.
Phichai misses with a body shot.
Phichai moves out of range of the strikes.
Phichai went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Valentine misses with a leg kick.

Valentine gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Valentine is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Phichai is defending well.
Phichai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Phichai fails to land.
Valentine is looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valentine wants a takedown.
Phraya Phichai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Valentine.
Valentine blocks a body shot from Phichai.
Phichai misses with a punch to the body.
Valentine prevents a body shot from Phichai.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Phichai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Valentine has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Phichai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valentine taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Phichai.
Valentine wants to break the clinch but can't.
Valentine lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Phichai has a couple of punches blocked by Valentine.
Phichai keeps control of Valentine as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Phichai landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Phichai throws an elbow but it misses.
Phichai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Valentine's elbow.
Phichai scores a nice knee to the body.
Phichai lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Valentine wants to get back to striking at distance but Phichai won't allow it.
Valentine works on Phichai's body with a couple of short punches.
Valentine blocking some punches.
Phichai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Phichai lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Valentine backwards.
Phichai tries to stall but Valentine uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A frustrated look appears on Valentine's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Phichai lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Valentine or not.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phichai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Valentine drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Phichai gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phichai misses with the head strike.
Valentine is trying to stall.
Valentine blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phichai tries a body shot but Valentine blocks it.
Phichai blocks a body shot from Valentine.
Valentine tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phichai just stands there and leans against the cage.

Phichai is fighting off a takedown attempt but Valentine is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Phichai to the mat. Phichai regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Phichai keeping moving, preventing Valentine from controlling successfully.
Phichai is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Valentine is controlling Phichai's trapped leg to prevent Phichai from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phichai tries to pass to full mount but Valentine defends it.
Phichai trying to control the pace.
Valentine trying to control but Phichai postures up.
Phichai prevents Valentine from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Valentine trying to get back to full guard but Phichai takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Phichai takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Valentine 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.
We've been hearing good reports from Phichai's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Valentine wants to improve his position but Phichai is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Phichai content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phraya Phichai dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Valentine misses with a body punch
enabling Phichai to counter with a crisp jab.
Phichai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Valentine closes the distance looking to clinch
and Phichai makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Valentine swings away with a body shot that misses
and Phichai counters with a nice uppercut.
Valentine tries to clinch there but Phichai circles away.
Valentine scores with a nice head shot.
Valentine throws a head kick that misses.
Valentine tries to clinch up
and Phichai counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Valentine.
A solid leg kick lands there for Phichai.
Phichai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phraya Phichai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phichai avoids the body shot from Valentine.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Phichai.
Phichai avoids the body shot from Valentine.
Phichai wants to clinch up but Valentine keeps it at a distance.
A leg kick checked by Valentine.
Valentine checks a leg kick nicely.
Valentine doesn't manage to clinch there - Phichai circles away.
Phichai bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Valentine takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Valentine just misses with a punch to the body.
Valentine checks a leg kick nicely.
Phichai throws a leg kick but Valentine moved away.
Phichai throws a predictable looking body shot
and Valentine counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phichai is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Phichai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valentine can do to turn this around?
Valentine fails with the takedown
and Phichai counters with a stiff right hand.
Phichai keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Phichai misses the shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phichai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Phichai lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Phichai throws a shot to the body.
Valentine looks for a takedown but Phichai sprawls well.
Phichai tried to counter with a leg kick but Valentine avoided it.
Phichai lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phichai is looking to slow Valentine down with leg kicks.

Valentine clinches.
Valentine lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Phichai misses with some punches.
Valentine tries for a takedown but Phichai manages to get underhooks.
Phraya Phichai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Valentine.
Valentine lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Phichai or not.
Phichai prevents a body shot from Valentine.
Valentine has Phichai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Phichai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Phichai tries a body shot but Valentine blocks it.
Phraya Phichai has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Valentine trying to stall but Phichai improves his position.
Valentine doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Valentine tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Valentine can't find room to land a body shot as Phichai controls the action.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Phichai misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Phichai - that landed with a thud.
Valentine tries a body shot but Phichai blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phichai blocks a body shot from Valentine.
Phichai blocks an uppercut.
Valentine manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Valentine is working Phichai over against the cage.
Phichai prevents Valentine from breaking the clinch.
Phichai tries to throw a body punch but Valentine avoids it by throwing Phichai back against the cage.

Valentine breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Phichai moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Phichai tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Valentine manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Valentine tries to move into range but Phichai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phichai tests Valentine's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Phichai. That snapped Valentine's head back.
Phichai fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Valentine has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phraya Phichai dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Phichai closes the distance and clinches.
Phichai lands an elbow just above Valentine 's eye.
Phichai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Valentine's elbow.
Valentine jumps guard but Phichai stands there with Valentine around his waist. Valentine gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Phichai fails to land.
Phichai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valentine lands with a right to the head.
Valentine tries to throw a body punch but Phichai avoids it by throwing Valentine back against the cage.
Valentine will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Phichai up against the cage.
Phichai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phichai lands a hook to the side of the head.
Phichai throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Valentine throws a head punch that misses.
Phichai is leaning against Valentine and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Valentine working hard to break the clinch.
Valentine wants to take the fight to the mat but Phichai manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Valentine takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Good body shot from Phichai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Phichai.
Phichai softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Phichai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Phichai scores with a shot to the side of Valentine's head.
A short uppercut from Phichai.
Valentine tries to break the clinch but Phichai is controlling the position.
Valentine is looking for a takedown.
Phraya Phichai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Valentine.
Valentine just leaning against Phichai, taking a breather.
Phichai landing knees to the head.
Phichai lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Phichai slows down the pace here.
Valentine wants to break free but Phichai has control.
Valentine doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Valentine has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Phichai clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phichai trying to control the position but Valentine manages to sink in the hooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Phichai can't escape the position.
A lull in the action here.

Valentine is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Valentine wants to control but Phichai is keeping busy.
Valentine throwing sloppy strikes.
Valentine is controlling the position but Phichai somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phichai has his hands clasped together around Valentine's back. He's all about the action.
Valentine wants to take a breather but Phichai is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Valentine tries to pass to full mount but Phichai defends it.
Valentine trying to control from Phichai's half guard. Phichai has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valentine throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Phichai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Valentine throwing strikes from guard but Phichai blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Valentine fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phraya Phichai clearly takes 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.

Phichai cracks a nice hook into Valentine's ribs.
Phichai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Valentine.
Nice jab there from Phichai.
Valentine connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Phichai's hands.
An inside leg kick lands from Phichai.
Nice uppercut there from Phichai.
Phichai motions for Valentine to come forward. Phichai throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Phraya Phichai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valentine displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phichai throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Valentine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A punch combination from Valentine misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valentine misses with the combination.
Phichai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valentine.
Valentine throws a body punch but Phichai moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phichai staying out of range there.
Phichai scores with a hook to the body. Valentine takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Valentine with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Phichai to score with a decent uppercut.
Phichai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Phichai throws a leg kick
letting Valentine counter with a right hand.
Valentine throws a right and a left that Phichai avoids nicely.
Phichai lands a nice shot that snaps Valentine's head back.
Phichai misses with a wild body shot.

Phichai closes the distance and pushes Valentine back into the cage.
Valentine blocking some punches.
Phichai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Valentine has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Valentine lands a nice shot to the body.
Phichai is trying to maintain a safe position but Valentine gets an underhook and turns Phichai into the cage.
Valentine is trying to force a seperation but Phichai has the dominant position.
Phichai has a couple of punches blocked by Valentine.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phichai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A knee to the head by Phichai.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valentine is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Phichai tries to throw a body punch but Valentine avoids it by throwing Phichai back against the cage.
Valentine misses with a body punch.
Valentine misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Phichai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Valentine fails to land.
Valentine has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Phichai avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Phichai trying to control the position but instead, Valentine has worked for underhooks and has pushed Phichai into the cage.
Valentine tries to throw a body punch but Phichai avoids it by throwing Valentine back against the cage.
Valentine blocking some punches.
Phichai struggles to land a body shot inside as Valentine controls his hands.
Valentine misses with a hook to the ribs.
Valentine misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phichai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Phichai dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Phichai prevents Valentine from breaking the clinch.
Phichai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Valentine's elbow.
Valentine can't get the takedown.
Phichai throws an elbow that misses.

Valentine ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Valentine no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Phichai stays in close to Valentine's body and controls the position.

Valentine working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Phichai has passed into half guard!
Valentine has a hand on Phichai's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Phichai takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine is in all sorts of trouble here.
Phichai controlling from mount.
Valentine is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phraya Phichai had his way with Alexander Valentine in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Phichai ducks under a wild hook from Valentine.
Phichai throws a leg kick that misses.
Phichai misses the shot to the body.
Phichai dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Valentine. That did some damage!
Phichai misses with a looping right.
Valentine is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phichai.
Valentine throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Phichai counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Valentine thinking.
An inside leg kick lands from Phichai.
A swing and a miss from Valentine.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valentine shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Phichai counters with a right hand to the body.
Phichai throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Phichai throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Valentine to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Phichai.
Valentine gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Phichai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Valentine takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice body punch from Phichai.
Phichai connects with a crisp jab.
Valentine uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phichai.
A nice inside leg kick there by Phichai. That's going to slow Valentine down.
Phichai uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Valentine has time to react.
Phichai throws a leg kick that misses.
Valentine lands a body shot.
Phichai tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Valentine is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Phichai.
Phichai scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phichai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Valentine. Valentine circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Valentine throws a hook to the side of Phichai's head but Phichai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Phichai's jab looks to have found its range, popping Valentine under the eye.
Valentine takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Phichai fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Valentine is out of range.
Valentine keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Valentine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Valentine has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Phichai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valentine was well out of range. Poor timing from Phichai.
Phichai misses with a jab, cross combination.
Valentine appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nice shot lands for Valentine.
Phichai throws a lazy body kick
and Valentine counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Phichai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Phichai takes a swing at Valentine's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Valentine was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Phichai misses with a wild body shot.
Alexander Valentine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phichai catches Valentine with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice body punch from Phichai.
Valentine throws an overhand right that lands on Phichai's shoulder, as Phichai tries to avoid the shot.
Valentine throws a leg kick that is checked
and Phichai counters with a series of strikes. Valentine will be more careful next time no doubt.
Phichai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Phichai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Valentine gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Phichai.
Valentine throws a hook but Phichai blocks it.
Phraya Phichai is winning the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valentine keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phichai throws a quick inside leg kick.
Valentine throws a head kick but Phichai moves out of range.
Phichai lands a right hook to the body.
Valentine throws an off balance right hand
and Phichai counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Phichai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Phichai is looking to clinch but Valentine is avoiding it.
Valentine was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Valentine waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Phichai.
Phichai is looking for a counter combo.
Phichai lands with a shot to the body.
Phraya Phichai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Phichai scores with a nice right hand.
Valentine throws a jab when Phichai was well out of range.
Valentine's jab looks to have found its range, popping Phichai under the eye.
Phichai slips under a jab from Valentine.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phraya Phichai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Phichai, 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phraya Phichai!
Phraya Phichai is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking Phraya Phichai made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.