PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Valenzuela (ranked 24945 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mick Blackwater (ranked 4918 p4p, 0 weight class). Frankie Valenzuela has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Valenzuela
vs
Blackwater

151 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

187 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frankie Valenzuela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mick Blackwater!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Blackwater looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Valenzuela is defending against the submission attempts here by Blackwater.

Blackwater is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Blackwater is trying to control. Valenzuela wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Blackwater is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Valenzuela doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Blackwater.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackwater is pressing down on Valenzuela's thigh, looking to free his foot. Valenzuela is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackwater wants to work for an arm triangle but Valenzuela is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Valenzuela is trying to maintain the position but Blackwater is very close to passing his half guard.
Blackwater wants to stand up but Valenzuela has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Valenzuela keeping hold of Blackwater's head, controlling as best he can.
Valenzuela is trying to maintain the position but Blackwater is very close to passing his half guard.

Blackwater is looking for a kimura here.

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.
Valenzuela trying to control here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Valenzuela darts in looking for a takedown but Blackwater gets double underhooks and turns Valenzuela into the cage.

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

Blackwater throws Valenzuela to one side and escapes!
Valenzuela really is a fat lump.
Valenzuela shoots in but Blackwater avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela tries to score a power double leg takedown but Blackwater sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Valenzuela somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frankie Valenzuela. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Valenzuela moves into the clinch.
Valenzuela misses with a punch on the inside.
Blackwater blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Valenzuela is pressed up against the cage. Blackwater has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valenzuela down to the mat. Valenzuela avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Valenzuela shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Blackwater but Blackwater pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Valenzuela shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Blackwater fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Valenzuela to the ground. Blackwater is now in Valenzuela's guard.
Valenzuela working a defensive guard here.
Blackwater wants to pass the guard but Valenzuela is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Blackwater thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Blackwater has gone for a leg lock! Valenzuela slips out almost immediately though and dives into Blackwater's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Blackwater dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Valenzuela tries to close the distance and clinch up but Blackwater swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Valenzuela fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Blackwater shoots in and bounces Valenzuela off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Valenzuela not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackwater trying to control the position from guard on top but Valenzuela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blackwater has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blackwater's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valenzuela lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Valenzuela 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.
Valenzuela won't allow Blackwater to sweep him here.

Blackwater has his foot on Valenzuela's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Valenzuela works his way back into a safe position though.
Valenzuela loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Blackwater is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valenzuela is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Blackwater keeping moving, preventing Valenzuela from controlling successfully.
Blackwater thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Valenzuela trying to control but Blackwater is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Blackwater drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Blackwater is breathing heavily.

Blackwater is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Valenzuela is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Valenzuela is looking to regain half guard here but Blackwater keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackwater throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Blackwater goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Valenzuela rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Blackwater's guard! Nice work there by Valenzuela!
Valenzuela wants to control from the top but Blackwater keeps moving.
Valenzuela trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Valenzuela throws an elbow that misses. Blackwater uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Valenzuela's guard. Nice move by Blackwater!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Valenzuela controls Blackwater momentarily but Blackwater frees himself.

Blackwater postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Valenzuela is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Blackwater, into his guard.

Valenzuela wants to control from the top but Blackwater keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mick Blackwater will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Blackwater looks for a takedown but Valenzuela sprawls well.
Valenzuela shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Blackwater sprawls well. Blackwater wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Valenzuela gets slowly back to his feet.

Valenzuela closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Valenzuela lands in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Blackwater throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Valenzuela escapes and throws Blackwater's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valenzuela wants to control but Blackwater is keeping him busy.

Valenzuela thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Blackwater is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Blackwater keeps trying to improve his position.
Blackwater manages to get back to half guard.
Valenzuela slips a nice elbow through Blackwater's hands, connecting with Blackwater's forehead.
Valenzuela trying to control the pace.

Blackwater looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Valenzuela pushes past his half guard into mount!
Blackwater takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackwater is desperately trying to improve his position but Valenzuela has a good base and remains in mount.
Valenzuela tries to control but Blackwater wriggling away.
Valenzuela controlling the position easily from mount.
Blackwater is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Valenzuela looking to control and managing it successfully.
Blackwater is looking to improve his position but Valenzuela isn't that keen on the idea.
Frankie Valenzuela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mick Blackwater is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Blackwater holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Valenzuela tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Valenzuela showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Blackwater has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Frankie Valenzuela!