PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Deandre Medina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juho Valhalla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Deandre Medina has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Medina
vs
Valhalla

204 cm
22
278 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

186 cm
24
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Deandre Medina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juho Valhalla!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Valhalla. No joy for Medina on that attempt.
Valhalla throws a counter combo.

Medina moves into the clinch.
Valhalla lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Medina.

Valhalla has picked Medina up - he's going for a ride! Valhalla dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Medina blocking the ground and pound attempt from Valhalla.
Medina wants to improve his position but Valhalla is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valhalla throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medina is doing well to control the position and prevent Valhalla from advancing to side control.
Valhalla not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Medina keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Valhalla throwing shots but Medina is blocking nicely.
Valhalla throws a strike but Medina avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Medina looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Valhalla slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Valhalla loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Valhalla missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valhalla is looking to work some ground and pound but Medina has wrist control.
Valhalla must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Medina has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Valhalla is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Valhalla lands a hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Deandre Medina has been cut.

Medina ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Medina no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Medina keeping moving, preventing Valhalla from controlling successfully.
Valhalla throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Medina works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Valhalla is looking to work some ground and pound but Medina has wrist control.
Medina is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Valhalla throwing strikes from guard but Medina blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valhalla throws a big elbow that misses.
Medina will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Valhalla working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Valhalla throws an elbow that misses. Medina uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Valhalla's guard. Nice move by Medina!

Medina postures up in Valhalla's guard and throws a big left but Valhalla blocks it.
Medina loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Valhalla is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Medina is controlling him.
Medina postures up in Valhalla's guard and throws a big left but Valhalla blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medina won't allow Valhalla to get back to his feet.
Valhalla utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Valhalla uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Medina gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medina blocks an elbow strike from Valhalla.

Valhalla is trying to trip Medina. He has hold of a leg but Medina is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Valhalla persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Medina is trying to keep Valhalla in close.

Medina throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Medina throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Valhalla throwing strikes from guard but Medina blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valhalla throws an elbow that misses. Medina uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Valhalla's guard. Nice move by Medina!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Juho Valhalla will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Deandre Medina's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Medina closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Valhalla tightens his grip and picks Medina up, before dumping him to the ground. Medina manages to land in guard.
Valhalla throws an elbow that misses. Medina uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Valhalla's guard. Nice move by Medina!

Valhalla wants to get back to his feet but Medina is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medina throwing strikes from guard but Valhalla blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valhalla wants to stand and escape but Medina is having none of it.
Medina is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Medina is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Medina gets to his feet - Valhalla follows without any prompting.

Medina drives through and clinches with Valhalla against the cage.
Medina tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Valhalla just stands there and leans against the cage.
Valhalla lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Valhalla.
Valhalla lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Valhalla has hold of one of Medina's legs. Medina is fighting the takedown attempt but Valhalla gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Medina is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valhalla accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Medina preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Valhalla in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Valhalla working some strikes from top position.
Valhalla is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Valhalla throws a big elbow that misses.

Medina is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valhalla is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valhalla loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valhalla throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Medina is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Valhalla is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Valhalla trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Medina keeping moving, preventing Valhalla from controlling successfully.
Medina working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Valhalla.
Medina preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Valhalla's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Medina throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Valhalla postures up and lands a big shot to Medina's brow.
Valhalla trying to control the position from guard on top but Medina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Valhalla trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Juho Valhalla has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Valhalla throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Valhalla tries to keep at a distance but Medina has taken the fight into the clinch.
Medina tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Valhalla just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Valhalla as the two fighters clinch.
Medina changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Valhalla fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Deandre Medina. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Medina closes this distance looking for a takedown but Valhalla circles away.
Medina shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Valhalla counters with a left and a right that stings Medina.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juho Valhalla showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Deandre Medina's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Valhalla stuffs the takedown.
Valhalla is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Valhalla gets tackled into the cage by Medina. Medina maintains the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Valhalla.
Medina tries to score a body lock takedown but Valhalla shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Good body shot from Valhalla.
Medina takes a shot to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A hook to the body from Valhalla.
Juho Valhalla seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Valhalla turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Valhalla manages to end up in side control.
Valhalla misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valhalla sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Medina is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Medina defending against the ground and pound.
Valhalla throws a strike aimed at the side of Medina's head but Medina avoids it well.
Valhalla tries to score with some ground and pound. Medina controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Valhalla throws a strike aimed at the side of Medina's head but Medina avoids it well.
Medina parries the strikes from Valhalla easily there. Valhalla is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Medina to escape.
Valhalla working the ground and pound but Medina is defending the strikes.
Medina dodges the ground and pound from Valhalla.
Valhalla throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Medina managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Valhalla.
The strikes coming from Valhalla are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The strikes coming from Valhalla are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Valhalla sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Medina is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Valhalla creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Medina sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Valhalla creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Medina sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Valhalla.
Valhalla throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valhalla misses with the ground and pound.
Valhalla wants to lay and pray for a moment but Medina keeps working.
Valhalla tries to score with some ground and pound. Medina controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Valhalla sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Medina is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Valhalla working the ground and pound but Medina is defending the strikes.
The strikes coming from Valhalla are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
You can see the frustration on Medina's face as Valhalla controls the position.
Valhalla throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Valhalla sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Medina is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Valhalla sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Medina is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Valhalla looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Medina is avoiding damage well.
Medina managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Valhalla.
Valhalla working the ground and pound.
Valhalla in side control, throwing shots but Medina defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medina parries the strikes from Valhalla easily there. Valhalla is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Medina to escape.
Valhalla creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Medina sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Medina is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Sloppy strikes there by Valhalla.
Medina is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Valhalla has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Valhalla looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Medina is avoiding damage well.
The strikes coming from Valhalla are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Valhalla controls the position from side control.
Valhalla sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Medina is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Medina is looking for a sweep.
Valhalla misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valhalla looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Medina is avoiding damage well.
Valhalla trying to control the action but Medina is working from the bottom.
Valhalla working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Medina dodges the ground and pound from Valhalla.
Valhalla prevents Medina from escaping the position.
Medina avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Valhalla.
Medina defending against the ground and pound.
Valhalla looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Medina is avoiding damage well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valhalla throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Valhalla in side control, throwing shots but Medina defends.
Valhalla tries to score with some ground and pound. Medina controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Deandre Medina has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valhalla blocks the strikes from Medina.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juho Valhalla comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Valhalla 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juho Valhalla!
Our winner, Juho Valhalla, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.