PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ben Johnson (ranked 19141 p4p, 276 weight class) and Maxim Valdaev (ranked 5254 p4p, 237 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by The Clash - This Is England. 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!

Johnson
vs
Valdaev

150 cm
31
136 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

160 cm
18
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Urban Fighter

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ben Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maxim Valdaev!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Johnson enables Valdaev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Johnson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Valdaev stops Johnson from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valdaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Valdaev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valdaev postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Valdaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Valdaev stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.
Johnson wants to stand but Valdaev is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valdaev has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at The Forge. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdaev looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Valdaev is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Valdaev feints and as Johnson raises his hands in defense, Valdaev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Johnson kicks Valdaev off and gets to his feet.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Valdaev keeps it at a distance.

Valdaev scores with a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Valdaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valdaev won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.

Johnson pushes Valdaev off and scrambles back to his feet.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Valdaev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Johnson sizes up Valdaev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valdaev feints and as Johnson raises his hands in defense, Valdaev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson wants to stand up but Valdaev is controlling him.
Valdaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Johnson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Valdaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Valdaev tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Valdaev drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Valdaev moves out of range easily.

Valdaev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Johnson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Valdaev stops Johnson from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdaev stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.
Valdaev prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Valdaev distracts Johnson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Johnson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Johnson lands a left hand.
Valdaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Valdaev looks winded!

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Valdaev's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Valdaev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Valdaev's legs - danger averted.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Valdaev keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Valdaev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Valdaev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Valdaev dives in and scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Valdaev stops Johnson from standing up.
Valdaev is standing up over Johnson. Johnson looks to escape but Valdaev dives into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ground and pound from Valdaev seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Johnson pushes Valdaev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Valdaev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Valdaev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Johnson has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdaev fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Valdaev tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Valdaev has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Valdaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Valdaev is breathing heavily.

Valdaev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valdaev can do to turn this around?
Johnson tries to escape but Valdaev is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face as Valdaev controls the position.
Johnson is trying to buck Valdaev off.
Maxim Valdaev has got the better of the ground game so far.

Valdaev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Johnson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Valdaev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Valdaev ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a jab when Valdaev was well out of range.
Johnson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Valdaev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Valdaev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Valdaev knows he should have avoided that one.
Maxim Valdaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Valdaev walks into a straight right hand from Johnson.
Johnson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Valdaev is rocked!
Johnson cracks Valdaev's jaw with two stiff jabs then ducks low and throws a soul-severing right uppercut to the mouth!! Valdaev slumps to the ground with blood on his lips. The referee steps in before Johnson can do further damage! This one is done, son!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Ben Johnson!