PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Valdez (ranked 5355 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Briggs (ranked 5110 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Briggs's choice of entrance music: Redbone. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Valdez
vs
Briggs

182 cm
21
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
212 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Miguel Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Randy Briggs!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdez gets cracked there but stands up to it.

It looks like Miguel Valdez has been cut.
Briggs moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Briggs thuds his right hand into Valdez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Valdez is rocked!
Briggs doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Valdez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Briggs looks winded!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Valdez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valdez working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Valdez decides to stand up.
The crowd cheers as Briggs lands an impressive looking overhand right. Valdez doesn't seem phased though.

Valdez clinches.
Briggs wants to break the clinch but can't.
Valdez has Briggs pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Briggs manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valdez'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.
A frustrated look appears on Briggs's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Briggs pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Briggs wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Valdez has him pressed against the cage.

Valdez pulls guard effortlessly.
Briggs wants to stand and escape but instead Valdez has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Valdez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Valdez advances position into side control!
Valdez lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Briggs down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Briggs pushes Valdez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Valdez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Briggs really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Valdez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Valdez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Briggs, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Valdez throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Valdez scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Briggs to see if he's OK.
Briggs on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Briggs is trying to buck Valdez off.
Briggs trying to remain calm as Valdez controls from the top position.
Valdez scoring with punches and elbows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valdez is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Briggs's shoulder. That is not cool.
Valdez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Briggs for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Valdez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Miguel Valdez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Briggs stuffs the takedown attempt from Valdez. Valdez gets slowly back to his feet.

Valdez pushes Briggs up against the cage in a clinch.
Valdez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Briggs pulls his leg out and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Briggs.
Briggs connects with a right hand. Valdez shakes it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Briggs just misses with a punch to the body.
Valdez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Valdez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Briggs sprawls well initially but Valdez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Valdez working the head and body with strikes.
Briggs is breathing heavily.

Valdez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Valdez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez slips a nice elbow through Briggs's hands, connecting with Briggs's forehead.
Briggs wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Valdez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Valdez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nice strikes from Valdez there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Briggs is trying to stand up here but Valdez is controlling him well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Valdez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Valdez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valdez tries for a takedown but Briggs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valdez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Valdez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Briggs's guard.
Valdez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Valdez won't allow Briggs to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valdez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Briggs being controlled here, momentarily.
Miguel Valdez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valdez pushes down on Briggs's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Valdez is figuring out what he wants to do next.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Valdez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Miguel Valdez's cut.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Valdez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Briggs stops a takedown attempt from Valdez.

Valdez has picked Briggs up - he's going for a ride! Valdez dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Briggs looks like he's trying to stand up.
Valdez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Briggs tries to kick Valdez off but Valdez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valdez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Briggs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez continues to stall.

Valdez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Briggs manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Miguel Valdez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valdez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Briggs has had enough of the clinch but Valdez keeps him there for the moment.
Briggs is trying to push Valdez away but Valdez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Briggs tries to circle away but Valdez has him pinned against the cage.
Briggs is trying to break the clinch but Valdez has him pressed against the cage.

Valdez gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Valdez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Valdez.

Valdez escapes and gets back to his feet.
Valdez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Valdez clinches.

Valdez breaks from the clinch.

Valdez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Briggs tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Valdez is in Briggs's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Briggs is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Valdez is controlling him.
Valdez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
More hug and hope from Valdez.
Randy Briggs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Valdez gets to his feet. Briggs looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

And that's the end of the fight!
Miguel Valdez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Valdez, 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miguel Valdez!
The defeated Randy Briggs had this to say: 'I broke my back. My back is broken... Spinal.'.