PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between DeMario Valdez (ranked 6739 p4p, 427 weight class) and Darren Tellkins (ranked 8509 p4p, 467 weight class). Valdez comes into the arena with Era - Ameno blaring out of the sound system. Tellkins is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rae Sremmurd - Powerglide ft. Juicy J. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Valdez
vs
Tellkins

180 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
153 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, DeMario Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darren Tellkins!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, John Mangel and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdez misses the jab.
A punch lands to the side of Valdez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Valdez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice shot by Valdez.
Tellkins throws a leg kick but Valdez sees it coming and moves out of range.
Valdez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Valdez jabs Tellkins to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Valdez misses with a hook.
Tellkins slips a jab from Valdez.
Tellkins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Valdez throws the left hand but Tellkins avoids the punch easily.
Valdez lands with a right hand.

Tellkins rushes Valdez and presses him up against the cage.

Tellkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Valdez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valdez looks to land a left hand but Tellkins moved out of range nicely.

Tellkins drives through and clinches with Valdez against the cage.
Tellkins's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Tellkins's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
The referee calls for Tellkins to work.
Valdez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tellkins taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Valdez tries to break free but Tellkins pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tellkins.
Tellkins slows down the pace here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tellkins takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Darren Tellkins.

Tellkins gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tellkins is struggling to control the position.
Tellkins scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tellkins looking to throw knees to the head but Valdez is blocking nicely.
Tellkins lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Valdez tries to break the clinch but Tellkins is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Valdez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tellkins avoiding damage.
Valdez wants to break free but Tellkins has control.
Tellkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tellkins is pushing Valdez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez can't break the clinch.
Valdez is trying to break the clinch but Tellkins is controlling him.
Tellkins lands a left hand that snaps the head of Valdez backwards.
Valdez letting Tellkins take a breather here.
Valdez wants to get back to striking at distance but Tellkins won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Valdez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Valdez wants to get back to striking at distance but Tellkins won't allow it.
Tellkins lands a body shot.

Tellkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tellkins scores with a one two! Valdez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tellkins clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tellkins keeps control of Valdez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Valdez is trying to force a seperation but Tellkins has the dominant position.
Tellkins is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tellkins keeps control of Valdez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Tellkins scores with a nice short uppercut.

Tellkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valdez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tellkins.
Valdez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tellkins scores with a jab to the body.
Tellkins slips under a jab from Valdez.
Valdez lands a really nice looking cross but Tellkins seems unphased.
Tellkins throws a low kick, looking for Valdez's leg but Valdez calmly moves out of range.
Nice shot lands for Tellkins.
Tellkins takes one on the button.
Valdez misses with a hook
letting Tellkins counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tellkins ducks under a wild hook from Valdez.
It seemed like Tellkins was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tellkins misses with a two punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tellkins blocks a jab.
Valdez misses the jab.
Valdez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Tellkins drives through and clinches with Valdez against the cage.
Tellkins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Valdez's efforts to push away.
Valdez is looking to break free of the clinch but Tellkins has double underhooks.
Valdez is trying to break the clinch but Tellkins is controlling him.
The referee calls for Tellkins to work.
Valdez wants to break free but Tellkins has control.
Tellkins lands a left hand that snaps the head of Valdez backwards.
Tellkins lands with a short shot to the head.
Tellkins has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valdez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valdez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Valdez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tellkins has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Tellkins dominated that round.
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.

Valdez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nice defenses there by Tellkins.
A swing and a miss from Valdez.
Tellkins throws a counter combo.
Valdez throws out a loose jab but Tellkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tellkins scores with a leg kick.
Tellkins connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Darren Tellkins seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Tellkins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Valdez, pushing him back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Valdez tries to break the clinch but Tellkins is controlling the position.
Tellkins will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Valdez up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Tellkins slows down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tellkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valdez is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Valdez throws a hook to the side of Tellkins's head but Tellkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Valdez throws a series of punches but Tellkins moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Valdez misses the target.

Valdez gets tackled into the cage by Tellkins. Tellkins maintains the clinch.
Tellkins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Valdez's efforts to push away.
A nice left hand lands by Tellkins.
Tellkins lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Tellkins pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tellkins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Valdez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Valdez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tellkins uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tellkins connects with a crisp jab.
Tellkins throws a leg kick that misses.
Valdez swings for the body but Tellkins moves out of range.
A left lands for Valdez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valdez swats away the attempt to clinch by Tellkins.
It looked like Valdez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Tellkins.
Tellkins looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez slips a jab and a cross from Tellkins.
Tellkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Valdez checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tellkins shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Valdez eats them both and turns towards Tellkins to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Tellkins closes the distance and pushes Valdez back into the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tellkins.
Tellkins lands a left hand that snaps the head of Valdez backwards.
Valdez is trying to force a seperation but Tellkins has the dominant position.
Tellkins holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Tellkins lands a nice uppercut.

Valdez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body punch from Tellkins.
Valdez throws the left hand but Tellkins avoids the punch easily.
Tellkins cracks the inside of Valdez's front leg.
A big right from Tellkins misses.
Valdez misses with a combination
and Tellkins counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tellkins's jab looks to have found its range, popping Valdez under the eye.
Tellkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Valdez.
Tellkins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tellkins lands an overhand right.
Tellkins slips under a jab.
Tellkins throws a counter combo.
Tellkins misses with the combination.
A slow jab from Valdez misses its intended target.
Tellkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tellkins feints and then cracks Valdez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Valdez down.
Valdez throws a body shot but no joy.
Tellkins lands a leg kick that knocks Valdez off balance momentarily.
Tellkins ducks under a wild hook from Valdez.
Valdez misses with an uppercut
and Tellkins makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Valdez misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tellkins with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valdez ducks under a wild hook from Tellkins.
Valdez throws a combination that misses
and Tellkins cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Valdez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Valdez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tellkins manages to avoid it.
Tellkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tellkins loads up on a big right hand but Valdez slips the punch.

Valdez tries to keep at a distance but Tellkins has taken the fight into the clinch.
Valdez blocks an elbow strike.
Tellkins stalling the fight.
Valdez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tellkins tries a body shot but Valdez blocks it.
Valdez is trying to push Tellkins away but Tellkins has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Valdez tries to break the clinch but Tellkins is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Tellkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Valdez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tellkins wants to slow Valdez down by chopping away at his legs.
Valdez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Valdez throws a shot from downtown. Tellkins moves away and avoids it.
Tellkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Valdez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tellkins finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Valdez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Valdez swinging wildly here.
Valdez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tellkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Valdez.
Tellkins throws out a loose jab but Valdez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tellkins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tellkins tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Valdez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valdez gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tellkins.
Valdez fails to land with a series of punches.
Tellkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Valdez.
Darren Tellkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tellkins ducks under a wild hook from Valdez.
Tellkins throws out a counter right but Valdez avoids it with no problem.
Valdez connects with a body shot that sends Tellkins's belly button to the back.
Valdez misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez just misses with a punch to the body.
Tellkins lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Valdez. Tellkins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valdez stalks Tellkins and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tellkins's face. Tellkins staggers backwards, shaken.
Good work by Valdez as he checks the leg kick.
Valdez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Valdez works over Tellkins's head and body with a nice combination.

Tellkins moves into the clinch successfully.
Tellkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tellkins.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tellkins working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Valdez is trying to force a seperation but Tellkins has the dominant position.
Valdez is trying to break the clinch but Tellkins is controlling him.
Valdez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Valdez has had enough of the clinch but Tellkins keeps him there for the moment.

Tellkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tellkins uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Valdez has time to react.
Valdez misses with a series of wild punches.

Valdez tries to keep at a distance but Tellkins has taken the fight into the clinch.
Valdez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tellkins lands a shoulder strike.
Tellkins lands a right hand.
Valdez is trying to force a seperation but Tellkins has the dominant position.
Tellkins's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Valdez is trying to push Tellkins away but Tellkins has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nice body punch from Tellkins - that landed with a thud.
A short right from Tellkins on the inside.
Tellkins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez is looking to break free of the clinch but Tellkins has double underhooks.
Valdez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Valdez working hard to break the clinch.
Tellkins avoiding damage.
Tellkins displaying some good clinch control by pressing Valdez up against the cage.
Tellkins has Valdez pressed against the cage, preventing Valdez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Valdez can't break the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Tellkins.
Tellkins throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Valdezs head.
Valdez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tellkins pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tellkins controlling the action here for a moment.
DeMario Valdez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Tellkins controlling the action here for a moment.
Tellkins receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Darren Tellkins.
Tellkins connects with a solid leg kick.
Valdez walks into a jab.
Valdez throws a hook but Tellkins avoids it easily.

Tellkins rushes Valdez and presses him up against the cage.

Valdez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Valdez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Tellkins has taken the fight to the clinch.
Darren Tellkins is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tellkins lands a left hand that snaps the head of Valdez backwards.

Valdez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tellkins tries to clinch but Valdez moves out of range.
Valdez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darren Tellkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tellkins 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darren Tellkins!
Darren Tellkins was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.