PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hi Ho (ranked 5038 p4p, 363 weight class) and Maxim Valdaev (ranked 5491 p4p, 374 weight class). Hi Ho could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Maxim Valdaev's chin.

Ho
vs
Valdaev

165 cm
19
153 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

160 cm
19
140 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hi Ho!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maxim Valdaev!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdaev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ho counters by moving into the clinch.
Ho softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Valdaev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ho after a bit of a struggle.
Ho is pushing Valdaev up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ho is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hi Ho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Valdaev.
Ho prevents the takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Ho.
Valdaev has Ho pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ho manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ho lands a nice uppercut.
Valdaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ho prevents it.
Ho is pressed up against the cage. Valdaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ho down to the mat. Ho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ho throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ho throws a head kick that Valdaev semi-blocks.
Valdaev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ho as he avoids it easily.

Valdaev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ho looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Valdaev looks winded!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valdaev wants to control but Ho is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valdaev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ho struggling a bit here.

Valdaev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ho knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Valdaev has an Americana. Ho didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Valdaev is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Valdaev hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Maxim Valdaev!
Maxim Valdaev is the new featherweight champion!
A relieved looking Maxim Valdaev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.