PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sesto D Ippolito (ranked 2093 p4p, 258 weight class) and Corwin Valentine (ranked 1389 p4p, 176 weight class). D Ippolito's entrance music is Squeeze- Cool for Cats. A fine choice. Valentine has chosen I'm the Man as his entrance music. 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.

D Ippolito
vs
Valentine

180 cm
29
186 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

182 cm
28
187 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sesto D Ippolito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Corwin Valentine!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
D Ippolito defending well as Valentine loads up on a big left hand.
We've been hearing reports that D Ippolito has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
D Ippolito darts in looking for a takedown but Valentine gets double underhooks and turns D Ippolito into the cage.
The fighters circling - Valentine throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
D Ippolito wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

D Ippolito shoots in and gets a takedown into Valentine's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
D Ippolito throws a strike but Valentine rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Valentine stands and steps away. D Ippolito gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
D Ippolito shoots in and drives through. Valentine sprawls well.
D Ippolito darts in looking for a takedown but Valentine gets double underhooks and turns D Ippolito into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sesto D Ippolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
D Ippolito takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've been informed that Valentine has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
D Ippolito misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

D Ippolito shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentine is trying to stand up here but D Ippolito is controlling him well.
D Ippolito is keen to just control but Valentine is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine is trying to stand back up but D Ippolito is controlling him
D Ippolito trying to mount his opponent but Valentine defends it.
D Ippolito throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
D Ippolito working Valentine over with strikes.
D Ippolito working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Valentine's thigh. Valentine counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Valentine avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
D Ippolito trying to control the position from guard on top but Valentine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Valentine is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
D Ippolito is looking to work some ground and pound but Valentine has wrist control.
Valentine utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as D Ippolito accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
D Ippolito with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Valentine keeping moving, preventing D Ippolito from controlling successfully.
D Ippolito with a nice head shot there.
D Ippolito trying to control the position from guard on top but Valentine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
D Ippolito postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
D Ippolito is in close to Valentine's body, working some short punches and elbows.
D Ippolito is looking to work some ground and pound but Valentine has wrist control.
D Ippolito throws a big right hand that misses.
D Ippolito is looking to work some ground and pound but Valentine has wrist control.

Valentine is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. D Ippolito presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Valentine tries to land knees in the clinch but D Ippolito avoids the damage to the body.
D Ippolito changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Valentine fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Valentine throws a hook but D Ippolito blocks it.
Valentine paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
D Ippolito has his takedown stuffed
and Valentine counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Valentine moves to clinch but D Ippolito breaks away

and D Ippolito counters with a single leg into guard. Valentine didn't expect that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valentine utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Valentine manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Valentine misses with a knee strike.
D Ippolito is looking to take this one to the mat.
Valentine lands a knee to the body.
D Ippolito looking for a takedown.
Valentine landing some nice looking knees to the body.
D Ippolito is breathing heavily.
Valentine using the Thai plumb to throw knees but D Ippolito has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Valentine looking to throw knees to the head but D Ippolito is blocking nicely.
D Ippolito lands a shot to the body.
Valentine misses with a knee to the head.
D Ippolito looking for a takedown.
Valentine utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Valentine landing knees to the head.
Valentine utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Valentine throws a knee to the head but misses.
D Ippolito can't get the takedown.
Valentine connects with a nasty looking knee right to D Ippolito's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corwin Valentine dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Valentine misses with a hook. D Ippolito ducked under it nicely.
Valentine throws an overhand right that lands on D Ippolito's shoulder, as D Ippolito tries to avoid the shot.
D Ippolito tries to score a power double leg takedown but Valentine sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten D Ippolito somewhat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from D Ippolito is defended easily by Valentine.
Valentine scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valentine fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with D Ippolito, pushing him back against the cage.
D Ippolito on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
D Ippolito goes for a takedown attempt but Valentine pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sesto D Ippolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Valentine moves into the clinch successfully.
D Ippolito has Valentine pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valentine manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine landing knees to the head.

D Ippolito is rocked!
D Ippolito is working for takedown but Valentine is calmly controlling the position for now.
Oh D Ippolito is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but D Ippolito blocks with his arms.
Corwin Valentine seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Valentine using the Thai plumb to throw knees but D Ippolito has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Valentine looking to throw knees to the head but D Ippolito is blocking nicely.
D Ippolito seems to have got his legs back now.
D Ippolito tries to pull guard but Valentine forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Valentine tries to land knees in the clinch but D Ippolito avoids the damage to the body.
D Ippolito is trying to drag Valentine to the mat but Valentine just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
D Ippolito is working for takedown but Valentine is calmly controlling the position for now.

D Ippolito pulls guard.

D Ippolito isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Valentine stacks D Ippolito on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Valentine!

Valentine stands up.
Valentine has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valentine blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Valentine throws out the jab.
D Ippolito fails with a takedown attempt.
D Ippolito looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from D Ippolito.
Corwin Valentine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

D Ippolito looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Valentine!
D Ippolito 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.
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!

D Ippolito tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Valentine manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito misses with some strikes from the bottom.
D Ippolito is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Valentine's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Valentine's back!
D Ippolito thows a strike but Valentine uses the opportunity to reverse the position! Great move by Valentine as he ends up in D Ippolito 's guard!

D Ippolito escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Valentine gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
D Ippolito throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Valentine stopping the sweep attempt from D Ippolito.

D Ippolito is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
D Ippolito is looking to sweep but instead, Valentine has passed into half guard.

Valentine stands up out of the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito lands with a shot to the body.
Valentine with a hook.
Valentine tries to clinch up.
Valentine tries to clinch but D Ippolito is having none of it.
Valentine swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Valentine gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows D Ippolito to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
D Ippolito loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
D Ippolito is looking to work some ground and pound but Valentine has wrist control.
D Ippolito trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Valentine avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corwin Valentine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Valentine lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
D Ippolito fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Valentine closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops D Ippolito! Valentine dives in looking to finish! D Ippolito is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:13 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Corwin Valentine!
After winning the bout, Corwin Valentine thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Sesto D Ippolito had this to say: 'soundcloud.com/spinmanfinn'.