PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hi Ho (ranked 3663 p4p, 275 weight class) and Maxim Valdaev (ranked 7184 p4p, 384 weight class). Hi Ho has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ho
vs
Valdaev

165 cm
19
153 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

160 cm
19
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hi Ho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maxim Valdaev!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Alan Glass and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Ho sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Valdaev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Valdaev is working for a submission of some sort.
Ho on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ho tries to get out of the position.

Valdaev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ho is just riding it out for now. Valdaev eventually gives up the hold.

Ho is defending against the submission attempts here by Valdaev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ho is doing well to control the position and prevent Valdaev from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valdaev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ho is looking for a sweep. Valdaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Valdaev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ho does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Valdaev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ho won't allow Valdaev to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ho preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Valdaev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ho is just riding it out for now. Valdaev eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Valdaev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Valdaev seems to be looking for submissions.
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.

Ho is defending against the submission attempts here by Valdaev.

Ho looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdaev works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ho tries to lock up and control but Valdaev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Valdaev is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ho can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Ho tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Valdaev on the ground.
Valdaev content just to control the position here.

Valdaev goes for an armbar but Ho turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ho.

Valdaev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ho is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ho landing with the ground and pound.
Valdaev looking to control.
Ho slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Valdaev looking for subs off his back but Ho has passed one foot through into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ho is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Valdaev dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ho lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ho connects with a solid leg kick.
Ho connects with a high kick.
Valdaev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ho moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ho misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ho throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ho swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Valdaev with the counter takedown but Ho avoids it easily.
Valdaev shoots in looking for a takedown. Ho tries to sprawl out of it but Valdaev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ho manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ho tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Ho. No joy for Valdaev on that attempt.
Hi Ho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Valdaev.
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.
Maxim Valdaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valdaev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ho pinned against the cage. Ho gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Valdaev is defended easily by Ho.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdaev takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ho.
Hi Ho is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ho throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Valdaev's head.
Ho is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valdaev can do to turn this around?
Ho leaves Valdaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maxim Valdaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ho throws a nice inside leg kick.
Valdaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ho throws a quick counter kick to the body but Valdaev avoids it.
Valdaev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Both fighters circling a little - Ho finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Valdaev is breathing heavily.
That kick from Ho tenderised Valdaev's leg. Valdaev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ho lands a leg kick that knocks Valdaev off balance momentarily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ho.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ho throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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.
Ho lands a front kick.
That kick from Ho tenderised Valdaev's leg. Valdaev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hi Ho is winning the standup battle so far.
Valdaev shoots in looking for a takedown. Ho tries to sprawl out of it but Valdaev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ho manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Ho clinches.
Valdaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ho pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ho lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Ho.
Our sources have told us that Ho has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Valdaev can't get the takedown.
Ho'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.
Valdaev managing to block the knees to the body from Ho.
Valdaev is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ho lands an elbow inside that Valdaev shrugs off.
Valdaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ho avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valdaev takes an elbow to the forehead.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ho.
Valdaev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Valdaev's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ho lands a damaging elbow.

Valdaev is rocked!
Ho is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ho stalling the fight.
Ho avoiding damage.
Ho gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Ho stalling.
Ho leaning his opponent against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Hi Ho.
Valdaev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Ho moves into the clinch.
Valdaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Valdaev is trying to drag Ho to the mat but Ho just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ho stalling the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ho is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ho lands a right hand that snaps the head of Valdaev backwards.
Ho tries to throw a body punch but Valdaev avoids it by throwing Ho back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ho prevents a takedown attempt there.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ho.

Ho breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Valdaev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ho's waist but Ho gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Valdaev off to one side.
Ho feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Ho gets a clinch.
Ho comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Valdaev is still on wobbly legs! Can Ho finish him?
Ho stalling against the cage.
Valdaev seems to have recovered his senses.
Ho lands a damaging elbow.
Ho creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Valdaev's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hi Ho dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ho drives through and clinches with Valdaev against the cage.
Valdaev takes an elbow to the temple.
Ho taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Valdaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ho lands a damaging elbow.
Ho missing with knees to the body.
Hi Ho has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Valdaev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ho after a bit of a struggle.
Ho manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Valdaev avoiding damage as Ho throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valdaev has Ho pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Valdaev pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ho tumbling to the mat - Valdaev dives into Ho's guard.
Ho pulls Valdaev in close to prevent any damage.
Valdaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valdaev drops back looking for a leg! Ho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ho manages to kick Valdaev off! Valdaev jumps back into Ho's guard.
Valdaev slips nicely into half guard.
Ho is looking for a sweep. Valdaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Maxim Valdaev has got the better of the ground game so far.

Valdaev is trying for a kimura here. Ho looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Valdaev wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Maxim Valdaev!
A very excited looking Maxim Valdaev made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.