PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alan Valerdi (ranked 7291 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Rowler (ranked 25456 p4p, 0 weight class). Alan Valerdi could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nick Rowler's chin.

Valerdi
vs
Rowler

180 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

177 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alan Valerdi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nick Rowler!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Valerdi rushes Rowler and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rowler wants to get back to striking at distance but Valerdi won't allow it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Valerdi works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Valerdi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Valerdi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Valerdi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rowler controls Valerdi momentarily but Valerdi frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valerdi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Rowler wants to sweep here but Valerdi controlling him for the moment.
Rowler working a defensive guard here.
Valerdi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Valerdi 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.
Rowler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rowler wants to improve his position but instead Valerdi has moved into half guard.
Rowler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Valerdi.
Rowler is looking to improve his position.
Valerdi has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rowler gets back to full guard.
Rowler is striking but Valerdi is not phased and passes to half guard.
Nice strikes from Valerdi there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valerdi is looking for a kimura here.
Valerdi wants to pass to mount but Rowler is defending the position.
Rowler tries to roll over but Valerdi keeps him under control.

Valerdi escapes and gets back to his feet.

Valerdi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valerdi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rowler is staying active underneath Valerdi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Valerdi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rowler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rowler is not content to let Valerdi control the position.
Valerdi prevents Rowler from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rowler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Valerdi is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rowler throws a nice head kick!
Rowler scores with a three punch combo!
Rowler with a lazy takedown attempt

and Valerdi counters by moving into the clinch.

Valerdi decides to pull guard.
Valerdi keeping moving, preventing Rowler from controlling successfully.

Valerdi is looking for a triangle here but Rowler uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Valerdi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rowler's best efforts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valerdi gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valerdi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Valerdi looking to control.
Valerdi doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Rowler trying to control but Valerdi is working from the bottom.
Valerdi throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Rowler wants to stand but Valerdi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valerdi wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Rowler is now in half guard.

That's two 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.
Valerdi tries to roll over but Rowler keeps him under control.
Rowler winds up and cracks Valerdi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Valerdi is not content to let Rowler control the position.
Valerdi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Valerdi.
Valerdi throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Valerdi pulls Rowler in close to his closed guard and prevents Rowler from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Valerdi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rowler can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valerdi shoots in for a takedown but Rowler shows good takedown defense.
Alan Valerdi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Valerdi gets a takedown into half guard.
Ground and pound from Valerdi.
Valerdi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Valerdi trying to work for an americana but Rowler has managed to regain full guard.
Valerdi trying to control but Rowler is working from the bottom.

Rowler is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valerdi is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rowler is trying to control the position but Valerdi postures up.
Rowler wants to stand and escape but Valerdi is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valerdi advances to half guard.
Valerdi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Alan Valerdi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rowler pushes Valerdi off looking to stand but Valerdi dives back in and keeps control.

Rowler looking for subs from the bottom but Valerdi mounts him!
Valerdi content just to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Valerdi moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rowler has worked his arm free - good work by Rowler!
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 Alan Valerdi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Valerdi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Valerdi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rowler on his heels. He'll look to pass Rowler's guard now, I'm sure.
Valerdi lands a couple of elbows.
Valerdi passes Rowler's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rowler tries to kick Valerdi off in order to stand up. Valerdi Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Valerdi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Rowler tries to control but Valerdi manages to take his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valerdi has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Valerdi doesn't have the hooks in and Rowler manages to turn into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valerdi can't keep his opponent in guard - Rowler advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Valerdi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rowler is working away from the top position though.
Rowler is looking to take a break and control but Valerdi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Valerdi is looking to improve his position.
Rowler wants to stand up but Valerdi has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's two 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.
Valerdi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rowler's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rowler's back!

Valerdi is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Rowler trying to control the hands but Valerdi breaks the grip.

Valerdi is looking for the choke from the back position but Rowler is controlling his hands well.
Rowler trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Valerdi throwing sloppy strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowler trying to control but not successfully.
Valerdi just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Valerdi not allowing Rowler to control his hands.
Valerdi trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Valerdi scores with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rowler rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Rowler is looking to improve his position.
Valerdi winds up and cracks Rowler with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Alan Valerdi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valerdi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Valerdi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nick Rowler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valerdi moves into full mount! Rowler won't be happy about that!

And that's the end of the fight!
Alan Valerdi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Valerdi, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alan Valerdi!