PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tod Valenzuela (ranked 8944 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valera Razum (ranked 9747 p4p, 0 weight class). Valera Razum has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Tod Valenzuela's chin.

Valenzuela
vs
Razum

214 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tod Valenzuela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Valera Razum!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Razum pushes Valenzuela up against the cage in a clinch.
A body shot lands from Razum.
Razum lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Valenzuela tries to pull guard but Razum holds him up against the cage and eventually Valenzuela drops back down to his feet.
Razum tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Valenzuela just stands there and leans against the cage.
Razum can't get the takedown.

Razum pulls guard successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valenzuela trying to control but Razum is working from the bottom.
Valenzuela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Razum works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Valenzuela won't allow Razum to sweep him here.
Valenzuela is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valenzuela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Valenzuela has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Valenzuela postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Razum has a closed guard, preventing Valenzuela from standing up.
Valenzuela landing some decent shots from guard.
Valenzuela working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Valenzuela scoring with some ground and pound.
Valenzuela landing with the ground and pound.
Valenzuela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Valenzuela throwing strikes from guard but Razum blocks nicely.
Valenzuela throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Razum looks winded!

Valenzuela is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Valenzuela missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Valenzuela is in close to Razum's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Valenzuela throwing strikes from guard but Razum blocks nicely.
Valenzuela loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Valenzuela 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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Razum defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Valenzuela.
Razum shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Valenzuela sprawls well. Valenzuela wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Razum gets slowly back to his feet.
Tod Valenzuela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valera Razum.

Razum moves into range and clinches up with Valenzuela.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valenzuela manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Valenzuela is defended easily by Razum.

Valenzuela has managed to clinch.
Valenzuela working hard to break the clinch.
Razum fails to pull guard.
Razum stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Razum tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Valenzuela letting Razum take a breather here.
Razum stalling the fight.
Valenzuela wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Razum has him pressed against the cage.

Valenzuela manages to break the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Razum tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Valenzuela defends well and Razum ends up having to push Valenzuela into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Razum stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Razum wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Valenzuela changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Razum tries to avoid it but Valenzuela manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Razum to the ground. Razum escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Razum is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Razum closes the distance and clinches.
Valenzuela is trying to break the clinch but Razum is controlling him.
Razum jumps guard but Valenzuela turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Razum pulls guard.
Razum wants to get back to his feet but Valenzuela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Valenzuela stays in close to Razum's body and controls the position.
Valenzuela will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Razum is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Razum looking for a sweep. Not yet Razum, not yet.
Razum keeping moving, preventing Valenzuela from controlling successfully.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Valenzuela drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Valenzuela jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Razum looking to hit a scissor sweep but Valenzuela is one step ahead there.
Valenzuela landing some decent shots from guard.
Valenzuela postures up and lands a big shot to Razum's brow.
Valenzuela is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Valenzuela missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valenzuela with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Valenzuela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Valenzuela is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Razum being controlled here, momentarily.
Valenzuela lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Razum preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Valenzuela thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Valenzuela content to stall in guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Valenzuela stands up over Razum, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Valenzuela works over Razum with some ground and pound from guard.
Valenzuela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Razum works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Valenzuela loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Razum is working an open guard so Valenzuela takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Valenzuela shoots in for a takedown but Razum shows good takedown defense.
Razum stuffs the takedown attempt from Valenzuela. Valenzuela gets slowly back to his feet.
Razum tries to counter with a clinch but Valenzuela shakes him off and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tod Valenzuela. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Razum slaps away a takedown attempt from Valenzuela, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Valenzuela really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Razum shoots for a double leg takedown but Valenzuela sprawls well. He's pushed Razum's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Valenzuela has Razum up against the cage in a clinch.
Valenzuela is trying to pull guard but Razum turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Valenzuela is trying to force a seperation but Razum has the dominant position.
A short body shot lands from Razum as the two fighters clinch.
Razum letting Valenzuela take a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Razum stops a takedown attempt from Valenzuela.
Razum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Razum has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valenzuela avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Valenzuela pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Valenzuela misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tod Valenzuela will probably get the nod.
That's time! Valenzuela's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Razum closes this distance looking for a takedown but Valenzuela circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Razum.
Razum throws a sloppy head kick and Valenzuela moves out of range easily.
Valenzuela looks for a takedown but Razum sprawls well.
Valenzuela fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valenzuela gets tackled into the cage by Razum. Razum maintains the clinch.
Valenzuela drops down looking for an ankle pick but Razum pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tod Valenzuela. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Razum shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Razum takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Razum throws a head kick but Valenzuela moves out of range.
Razum displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Valenzuela.
No luck for Valenzuela with that takedown attempt.

Valenzuela moves into range and clinches up with Razum.
Razum jumps guard but Valenzuela stands there with Razum around his waist. Razum gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Valenzuela keeps control of Razum as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Razum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Valenzuela has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Valenzuela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Razum keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Valenzuela shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Razum pinned against the cage. Razum gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Valenzuela tries to keep at a distance but Razum has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Razum prevents Valenzuela from breaking the clinch.
Razum wants a takedown.
Razum is trying to pull guard but Valenzuela has him pressed against the cage.

Valenzuela pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Razum misses with a low kick.
Valenzuela wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Razum. No joy for Valenzuela on that attempt.
Valenzuela looks for a takedown but Razum sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Valenzuela shoots in for a takedown but Razum shows good takedown defense.
Valenzuela tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Razum swivels and escapes.
Valenzuela shoots for a takedown but Razum saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Razum wants to counter with a clinch but Valenzuela pushes him away.
Razum closes the distance and clinches up with Valenzuela, looking for a takedown. Razum pushes Valenzuela against the cage but Valenzuela circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Razum is defended easily by Valenzuela.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valenzuela dives in for a single leg takedown but Razum sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Razum throws a counter combo.
Razum misses with a series of wild punches.
Valenzuela seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valera Razum comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Razum has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Valera Razum!