PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jan Paul Valens (ranked 1194 p4p, 184 weight class) and Erick Darko (ranked 812 p4p, 130 weight class). Darko has chosen S.C.O.S.A - Flatbush Zombies as his entrance music. Jan Paul Valens has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Paul Valens
vs
Darko

177 cm
24
170 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

179 cm
24
187 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jan Paul Valens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Erick Darko!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Aafke Stam and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Valens.
Darko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Darko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Valens napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Valens is trying to control Darko's posture but Darko avoids it.
Darko creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Valens sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Darko looks up at the clock and then as Valens takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Darko smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Darko in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Darko in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valens tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Darko wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darko working the head and body with strikes.
Valens is letting Darko control him for a moment.
The strikes coming from Darko are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darko 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.
Darko throws a strike aimed at the side of Valens's head but Valens avoids it well.
Darko lands a few punches from side control.
Valens sneaks back into half guard.
Darko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valens keeps working.
Valens is looking for a sweep. Darko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Darko lands strikes from half guard.
Valens wants to control but Darko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Valens keeping control of the position.
Valens is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Darko trying to control the pace.
Darko winds up and cracks Valens with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Valens controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Darko passes to side control.
Darko working the ground and pound.
Darko in side control, throwing shots but Valens defends.
Darko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valens keeps working.
Darko tries to move to mount but Valens blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darko creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Valens manages to work his way to half guard, despite Darko's best efforts.
Darko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Darko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Darko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Darko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valens tries to roll over but Darko keeps him under control.
Darko is trying to control. Valens wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Valens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Darko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Darko is looking to take a break and control but Valens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Valens taking some punishment here, with Darko in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Darko perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Valens wants to control but Darko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Darko trying to control the action but Valens is working from the bottom.
Darko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Darko stalling away here and it's allowed Valens to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Valens is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Darko trying to control the position from guard on top but Valens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Darko with a flurry of punches that miss.

Valens looking for a guillotine here but Darko defends easily.
Valens keeping moving, preventing Darko from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Darko dominated that round.
That's time! Valens's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Darko cracks Valens with an open hand slap.
Darko tries to clinch
and Valens counters with a low kick, right behind Darko 's knee.
Darko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Darko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Darko smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Valens looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Darko throws a jab when Valens was well out of range.
Valens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Darko throws a looping overhand right but Valens ducks down to avoid it.
Darko throws a body punch but Valens moves out of range.
Darko misses with an uppercut
and Valens counters with a good low kick that Darko was not able to check.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch lands to the side of Valens 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Darko connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Valens's hands.
Darko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Valens shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A jab from Darko misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darko lands with a straight right. Valens didn't see that one coming.
A big right from Darko misses.
Darko throws an off balance right hand
and Valens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Valens just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Valens. That's going to slow Darko down.
Darko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Valens, right into the meat.
Valens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Darko.
Valens was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Valens slips a jab from Darko.
Valens scores with a jab to the jaw.
Darko takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Jan Paul Valens is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Darko throws a head kick but Valens moves out of range.
Darko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Valens scores with a jab to the jaw.
Valens slips a straight right by Darko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A counter left hand to the body from Valens misses its target.
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!
Valens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Darko throws out the jab.
Darko throws a hook to the side of Valens's head but Valens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Valens looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Darko lands with an uppercut that bounces Valens off the cage and back into range.
Valens throws a quick inside leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Darko.
Darko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Valens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Valens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darko.
Darko looks to land a left hand but Valens moved out of range nicely.
Darko works Valens's body with a nice hook.
Darko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valens has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Darko looks to throw the jab but Valens is out of range.
Darko throws the left hand but Valens avoids the punch easily.
Darko blocks a head kick by Valens.
Erick Darko seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valens throws a looping overhand right but Darko ducks down to avoid it.
Darko is looking to clinch.
Valens slips a jab from Darko.
Valens is looking to counter punch.
Darko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Valens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Darko throws a hook to the side of Valens's head but Valens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Darko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Valens.
Valens fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Darko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Darko misses with a series of wild punches.
Darko shoots in and drives through. Valens sprawls well.
Darko moves out of range as Valens strikes.
Darko throws a right hand that misses
and Valens counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darko throws a jab when Valens was well out of range.
Valens feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Darko's calf.
Valens throws a body punch but Darko moves out of range.
Darko throws an overhand right that lands on Valens's shoulder, as Valens tries to avoid the shot.
Valens misses with a hook to the body
and Darko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Erick Darko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valens ducks under a wild hook from Darko.
Darko looks to land a right hand but Valens moved out of range.
Valens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Darko lands a jab to the head.
Darko misses with a hook.
Darko takes a swing at Valens's ribcage but misses.
Nice shot lands for Darko.
Sloppy strikes from Darko. Those never looked like landing.
Valens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Valens throws a looping overhand right but Darko ducks down to avoid it.
Darko moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Darko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Valens takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Darko connects with a jab.
A combination from Darko does no damage.
Valens 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.
And Darko tries to counter it with a takedown but Valens pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Darko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Darko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Darko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Valens makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Darko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Valens keeps the fight on the outside.
Darko catches Valens with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Darko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice straight punches there by Valens. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Valens.
Darko tries to clinch but Valens is having none of it.
Valens smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Darko misses with a hook
and Valens counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Valens makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Darko circles away quickly and effectively.
Darko throws a predictable looking body shot
and Valens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Valens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darko.
It looks like Valens has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Valens tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Darko is able to avoid easily.
Valens scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Darko moves into range and clinches up with Valens.
Darko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valens misses with some punches.
Darko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Darko struggles to land a body shot inside as Valens controls his hands.
Darko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Valens misses with some punches.

Valens manages to break the clinch.
Valens lands with a thumping leg kick.
A lazy left from Valens finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darko misses with a combination
enabling Valens to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Darko throws a looping overhand right but Valens ducks down to avoid it.
Darko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Darko throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Valens to counter with a crisp jab.
Darko throws a hook but Valens blocks it.
Darko swings away with a body shot that misses
and Darko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Valens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Darko.
Valens misses with a straight left.
Valens throws a jab but it's blocked by Darko.
Valens fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Darko checks it well.
Valens gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Valens. That's going to slow Darko down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darko shoots and misses
and Valens counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Valens throws a hook but Darko blocks it.
Darko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valens throwing a counter right hand but Darko manages to avoid it.
Darko's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Darko scores with a hook to the body. Valens takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Darko throws a head kick that misses.
Valens is looking to counter with a body kick.
Darko moves away from the strike by Valens.
Nice defenses there by Valens.
Valens was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Darko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Darko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Valens takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Darko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Valens.
Darko swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Darko moves away from the strike by Valens.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Darko! But no joy.
Erick Darko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Darko misses with a straight right.
Darko throws a lazy right hand but Valens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valens ducks under a wild hook from Darko.
Darko throws an off balance right hand
letting Valens counter with a right hand.
Valens takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Darko catches Valens with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A leg kick checked by Darko.
Darko looks to throw the jab but Valens is out of range.
Darko throws a hook but Valens avoids it easily.
Jan Paul Valens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valens scores with a punch to the head.
Darko swings for the body but Valens moves out of range.
No joy there for Darko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Valens is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Darko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Valens to score with a decent uppercut.
Darko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Valens misses with a jab to the body
enabling Darko to counter with a crisp jab.
Valens misses with a straight right.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jan Paul Valens.
Well Darko 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erick Darko!
During a confident post fight interview, Erick Darko thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.