PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between DeMario Valdez (ranked 2136 p4p, 112 weight class) and Kento Ban Gbus (ranked 2227 p4p, 119 weight class). Valdez comes to the cage accompanied by Era - Ameno. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Valdez
vs
Ban Gbus

180 cm
20
142 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
141 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, DeMario Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Kento Ban Gbus!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Steve Erwin and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ban Gbus smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Valdez slips under a jab.
Ban Gbus misses with a wild body shot.
Valdez takes one on the button.
Valdez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Valdez misses.
Valdez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Valdez throws a big shot that misses.
Valdez on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ban Gbus pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ban Gbus slips under a jab from Valdez.
A nice side step and Ban Gbus releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ban Gbus paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ban Gbus lands with an uppercut that bounces Valdez off the cage and back into range.
Ban Gbus misses with a body shot
and Valdez counters with a straight right hand.
Kento Ban Gbus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ban Gbus fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Valdez on the side of the head.
Ban Gbus ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ban Gbus throws out a loose jab but Valdez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ban Gbus punishes Valdez's body with a nice straight punch.
Ban Gbus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valdez moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ban Gbus connects with a right hand. Valdez shakes it off.
Valdez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ban Gbus.
Valdez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ban Gbus fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A little feinted left hand from Valdez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ban Gbus throws a sloppy body shot
and Valdez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ban Gbus swings away with a body shot that misses
and Valdez counters with a straight right hand.
Ban Gbus throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ban Gbus fails in his attempt to clinch.
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 throws a hook but Ban Gbus blocks it.
Valdez scores with a decent looking hook.
Valdez definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A jab lands there for Valdez.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ban Gbus jabs Valdez right on the nose. Valdez blinks but takes it well.
Valdez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ban Gbus misses with a body shot.
Ban Gbus fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ban Gbus misses the shot to the body.
Ban Gbus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valdez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ban Gbus misses the shot to the body.
Ban Gbus throws a lazy uppercut
and Valdez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Valdez ducks under a wild hook from Ban Gbus.
Valdez moves away from the strike by Ban Gbus.
Valdez throws a lazy right hand but Ban Gbus sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Valdez is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Valdez throws a jab but it's blocked by Ban Gbus.
A jab from Ban Gbus misses.
Ban Gbus is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Valdez had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Ban Gbus throws a body shot but no joy.
Ban Gbus wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd cheers as Ban Gbus lands an impressive looking overhand right. Valdez doesn't seem phased though.
Ban Gbus swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Ban Gbus drives through and clinches with Valdez against the cage.
Valdez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ban Gbus struggles to land a body shot inside as Valdez controls his hands.
Valdez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ban Gbus's elbow.
A short body shot lands from Ban Gbus as the two fighters clinch.
Nice body punch from Ban Gbus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Valdez fails to land.
Ban Gbus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valdez.

Valdez manages to break the clinch.
Ban Gbus lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Valdez missing with a left hand there. Ban Gbus was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Ban Gbus takes the fight into the clinch.
Ban Gbus has a couple of punches blocked by Valdez.
Ban Gbus throws a punch but it's blocked by Valdez.
Valdez tries to work over Ban Gbus's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Valdez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Valdez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Ban Gbus - that landed with a thud.
Ban Gbus misses with a punch on the inside.
Ban Gbus is leaning against Valdez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Valdez is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ban Gbus misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ban Gbus misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ban Gbus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ban Gbus lands a right hand.
Ban Gbus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ban Gbus lands with a right to the head.
Valdez struggles to land a body shot inside as Ban Gbus controls his hands.
Valdez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ban Gbus's elbow.
Ban Gbus throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Valdezs head.
Valdez throws a punch but it's blocked by Ban Gbus.
Valdez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ban Gbus lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Valdez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ban Gbus's elbow.
Valdez misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Ban Gbus on the inside.
Valdez throws a head punch that misses.
Valdez working aggressively here.
Valdez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus is trying to maintain a safe position but Valdez gets an underhook and turns Ban Gbus into the cage.
Valdez tries to break free but Ban Gbus pushes him back against the cage.
Valdez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ban Gbus throws a punch but it's blocked by Valdez.
Valdez tries to work over Ban Gbus's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kento Ban Gbus dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Left hook, right uppercut from Ban Gbus.
Kento Ban Gbus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valdez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice jab there from Ban Gbus.
Valdez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ban Gbus.
Valdez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ban Gbuss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ban Gbus throws a shot from downtown. Valdez moves away and avoids it.
Valdez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Valdez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Ban Gbus moves into the clinch.
Ban Gbus swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short uppercut from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus prevents a body shot from Valdez.

Valdez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ban Gbus with a hook.
Ban Gbus lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Valdez at a distance.
Valdez scores with a jab to the body.
Some wild striking there from Valdez.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ban Gbus. Valdez does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ban Gbus throws a body shot but no joy.

Ban Gbus takes the fight into the clinch.
Ban Gbus lands with a light punch inside.
Ban Gbus swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ban Gbus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice left hand lands by Ban Gbus.
Valdez pushes Ban Gbus back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ban Gbus throws a punch but it's blocked by Valdez.
Good body shot from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short left from Ban Gbus.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valdez.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ban Gbus.
Kento Ban Gbus seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ban Gbus can't find room to land a body shot as Valdez controls the action.
Valdez tries to throw a body punch but Ban Gbus avoids it by throwing Valdez back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Valdez.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valdez tries to throw a body punch but Ban Gbus avoids it by throwing Valdez back against the cage.
Valdez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ban Gbus blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Valdez misses with a punch to the body.
Valdez blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Valdez misses with the head strike.

Valdez breaks the clinch.
Ban Gbus slips a jab from Valdez.
Ban Gbus misses with a jab, cross combination.
Valdez throws a jab but it's blocked by Ban Gbus.
Valdez looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Valdez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ban Gbus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Valdez.
Valdez throws out a loose jab but Ban Gbus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ban Gbus uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Valdez has time to react.
Ban Gbus throws a big shot that misses.
Ban Gbus feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Valdezs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ban Gbus avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ban Gbus ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ban Gbus throws a shot from downtown. Valdez moves away and avoids it.
Valdez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ban Gbus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Valdez misses with a looping right.
Valdez fails to land with a series of punches.
Ban Gbus scores with a nice head shot.
Ban Gbus throws a body shot but no joy.
Ban Gbus blocks a jab.
Ban Gbus misses with a right hand
and Valdez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ban Gbus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Valdez.
Ban Gbus looks to land a left hand but Valdez moved out of range nicely.
Ban Gbus loads up on a big right hand but Valdez slips the punch.
Ban Gbus lands with a good body shot.
Valdez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ban Gbus darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ban Gbus loads up on a big right hand but Valdez slips the punch.
Valdez throws a big counter combination but Ban Gbus scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ban Gbus cracks Valdez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
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!
Ban Gbus throws a looping overhand right but Valdez ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Valdez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ban Gbus throws a jab but it's blocked by Valdez.
Ban Gbus moves in looking to clinch but Valdez pushes him off.
Ban Gbus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ban Gbus. Valdez does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Valdez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Valdez takes a jab right on the kisser.
Valdez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ban Gbus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ban Gbus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Valdez.
Valdez lunges at Ban Gbus with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ban Gbus's hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valdez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ban Gbus looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ban Gbus misses with a hook
enabling Valdez to counter with a crisp jab.
Ban Gbus scores with a nice strike.
Valdez drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kento Ban Gbus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Valdez looks to throw the jab but Ban Gbus is out of range.
Ban Gbus wants to clinch but Valdez slips to the side
and Valdez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Valdez throws a looping overhand right but Ban Gbus ducks down to avoid it.
Valdez throws a hook but Ban Gbus avoids it easily.
Valdez ducks right into an uppercut from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus slips under a jab.
Ban Gbus bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Valdez's head backwards.
Ban Gbus works over Valdez's head and body with a nice combination.
Ban Gbus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Valdez.
The crowd cheers as Ban Gbus lands an impressive looking overhand right. Valdez doesn't seem phased though.
Ban Gbus lands a glancing blow to the side of Valdez's head.
Ban Gbus throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Valdez to counter with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valdez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ban Gbus moves into range and connects with a jab.
Valdez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ban Gbus.
Valdez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ban Gbus sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez keeps the fight on the outside.
Valdez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ban Gbus ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ban Gbus throws a body shot but no joy.
Valdez throwing a counter right hand but Ban Gbus manages to avoid it.
Ban Gbus defending well as Valdez loads up on a big left hand.
Ban Gbus connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Valdez's hands.
The fighters circling - Ban Gbus throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Valdez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Ban Gbus clinches up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ban Gbus 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.
Ban Gbus is working Valdez over against the cage.
Valdez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Valdez misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ban Gbus misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ban Gbus misses with a punch on the inside.

Valdez breaks the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valdez drops his hands momentarily and Ban Gbus takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ban Gbus works Valdez's body with a nice hook.
Valdez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Valdez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ban Gbus works the jab nicely.
Ban Gbus scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Valdez doesn't seem bothered though.
Ban Gbus lands a nice hook to Valdez's body. Valdez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ban Gbus tries to clinch but Valdez is having none of it.
Ban Gbus swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ban Gbus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ban Gbus stalks Valdez and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Valdez's face. Valdez staggers backwards, shaken.
Ban Gbus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ban Gbus misses the jab.
It looked like Valdez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Valdez gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ban Gbus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez dips to his left and cracks Ban Gbus with an uppercut!

Ban Gbus rushes Valdez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ban Gbus lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Valdez backwards.
A short left from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus misses with some punches.
Valdez pushes Ban Gbus back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ban Gbus.
Valdez throws a head punch that misses.
Ban Gbus scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kento Ban Gbus is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Valdez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ban Gbus throws a punch but it's blocked by Valdez.
Ban Gbus blocking some punches.
Valdez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ban Gbus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Valdez has a couple of punches blocked by Ban Gbus.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valdez lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ban Gbus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus misses with the head strike.
Ban Gbus lands a left hand.
Ban Gbus lands a hook that snaps the head of Valdez backwards.
Valdez lands a hook that snaps the head of Ban Gbus backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ban Gbus.
Ban Gbus tries to throw a body punch but Valdez avoids it by throwing Ban Gbus back against the cage.
Valdez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ban Gbus lands a left hand that snaps the head of Valdez backwards.
DeMario Valdez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ban Gbus scores with a shoulder strike.
Ban Gbus stalling against the cage.
Valdez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valdez swings wildly with an uppercut but Ban Gbus uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Ban Gbus fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valdez.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kento Ban Gbus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ban Gbus 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kento Ban Gbus!
During a confident post fight interview, Kento Ban Gbus thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
DeMario Valdez spoke after the fight, saying 'Warriors don't pick and choose fights like a pussy...'.