PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between DeMario Valdez (ranked 468 p4p, 253 weight class) and Harvey Stallion (ranked 59 p4p, 32 weight class). Valdez comes to the cage accompanied by Era - Ameno. Stallion has chosen Riding on the horses by Daryl Braithwaite as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Valdez
vs
Stallion

180 cm
29
154
20 - 12 - 1

173 cm
27
166
17 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, DeMario Valdez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Harvey Stallion!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdez throws a hook but Stallion blocks it.
And Stallion tries to counter it with a takedown but Valdez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Valdez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Valdez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stallion misses with a shot to the body
and Valdez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stallion swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stallion misses with a looping right.
Stallion throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stallion catches Valdez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Stallion checks a low kick from Valdez.
Valdez misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stallion tries to clinch but Valdez is having none of it.
Valdez throws a shot to the body.
Stallion misses with a hook to the body
and Valdez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stallion throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've been told by Valdez's head coaches at Crassus that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body punch from Stallion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez slips a jab from Stallion.
It looked like Valdez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Valdez drops his hands momentarily and Stallion takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
DeMario Valdez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Valdez throws a shot from downtown. Stallion moves away and avoids it.
Stallion with a jab.
Jab, jab by Valdez - just one landing.
Stallion dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stallion throws a hook but Valdez avoids it easily.
A jab from Stallion misses.
Stallion fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stallion wants to clinch but Valdez slips to the side
and Valdez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stallion tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Valdez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stallion is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Valdez.
Valdez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Valdez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stallion sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stallion rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Valdez counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stallion fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valdez manages to avoid it.
A big left from Stallion misses.
Stallion stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Stallion ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valdez moves away.
A counter left hand to the body from Valdez misses its target.
Stallion tries to clinch there but Valdez circles away.
Stallion throws an off balance right hand
and Valdez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Stallion gets a clinch.
Valdez misses with a punch on the inside.
Valdez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stallion has Valdez pressed against the cage, preventing Valdez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Valdez misses with a punch to the body.
Valdez lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stallion.
Stallion lands a body punch in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stallion swings wildly with an uppercut but Valdez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Still in the clinch, Stallion scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stallion struggles to land a body shot inside as Valdez controls his hands.
Valdez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stallion.
Good body shot from Stallion.
Valdez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Valdez slows down the pace here.

Stallion is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Valdez can't fight it off and eventually Stallion manages to take the fight to the floor. Valdez looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stallion throws a big right hand that misses.
Stallion stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valdez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stallion trying to control but Valdez is working from the bottom.
Stallion throwing strikes from guard but Valdez blocks nicely.
Stallion trying to control but Valdez is working from the bottom.
Stallion trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Valdez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stallion controls the pace.
Stallion trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Valdez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stallion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Valdez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stallion lands a lovely overhand right.
Valdez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Valdez throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stallion feints the counter takedown.
Stallion closes this distance looking for a takedown but Valdez circles away.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Valdez. Stallion shrugs it off though.
Donk. Stallion catches Valdez right on the button with a cross.
Stallion lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stallion swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Valdez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stallion.
Stallion misses with a straight right.
Stallion throws a hook but Valdez avoids it easily.
Valdez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valdez moves away from the strike by Stallion.
Valdez is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stallion looks to score with a jab to the body but Valdez is just out of range.
Stallion misses with a straight right.
Valdez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stallion counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Stallion dives in and scores a takedown into Valdez's guard.
Stallion passes Valdez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Stallion throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Valdez to regain full guard.
Stallion is looking to pass into half guard but Valdez pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Valdez is in guard.

Valdez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stallion really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Stallion has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valdez controlling the pace for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stallion regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stallion is looking for a sweep. Valdez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Valdez wants to take a breather but Stallion is having none of it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stallion manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Our spies down at at Chris Leben KO Academy inform us that Stallion has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Valdez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stallion is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stallion looking for a sweep. Not yet Stallion, not yet.
Stallion wants to hit a sweep here but Valdez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Stallion there!
Stallion has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stallion is looking to get to half guard.
Stallion is still trying to improve position.
Valdez looking to control and managing it successfully.
Stallion can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stallion bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Stallion tries to free his leg and advance position but Valdez is retaining full guard.

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

Stallion is looking for a triangle but Valdez pushes his legs off easily.
Valdez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Stallion has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Valdez is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Stallion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Harvey Stallion will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stallion swings widly with a right hand
and Valdez counters with a stiff right hand.

Stallion moves into the clinch.
Valdez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valdez stalling in the clinch but Stallion improves position.
Stallion tries a body shot but Valdez blocks it.
Valdez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stallion doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stallion being controlled against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stallion.
Stallion prevents a body shot from Valdez.
Valdez misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Stallion on the inside.
Stallion digs a right hand underneath Valdez's ribcage. Valdez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Valdez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Valdez misses with a punch on the inside.
Stallion swings wildly with an uppercut but Valdez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stallion struggles to land a body shot inside as Valdez controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stallion misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stallion misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Harvey Stallion seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stallion tries to throw a body punch but Valdez avoids it by throwing Stallion back against the cage.
Valdez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stallion is looking to take this one to the mat.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Valdez.
Valdez lands with a light punch inside.
Valdez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Valdez tries to work over Stallion's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right handed body shot lands from Valdez.
Stallion scores with a shoulder strike.
Valdez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stallion backwards.
Stallion stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Valdez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stallion misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stallion.
Stallion blocking some punches.
Stallion is leaning against Valdez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stallion makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Valdez blocks a body shot from Stallion.
Stallion swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A shot in the inside from Valdez.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valdez lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stallion backwards.
Valdez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A right hand to the body from Stallion.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Valdez.
Stallion swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stallion lands a nice uppercut.
Valdez is trying to break the clinch but Stallion has him pressed against the cage.
Stallion lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valdez can't find room to land a body shot as Stallion controls the action.
Stallion lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Valdez or not.
Valdez blocks a body shot from Stallion.
Good body shot from Stallion.
Stallion lands a body shot.
Stallion digs a right hand into Valdez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Valdez's gas tank.
Stallion lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Stallion.
Stallion scores with a shoulder strike.
Stallion gets through Valdez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Stallion ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stallion no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stallion lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Stallion stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valdez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stallion with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stallion missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stallion trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stallion looking to sit in guard and control but Valdez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stallion looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stallion is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Stallion throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Valdez escapes and throws Stallion's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Stallion tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Valdez is looking to take a break and control but Stallion is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stallion regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harvey Stallion really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stallion tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valdez was well out of range. Poor timing from Stallion.
Harvey Stallion seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stallion lands the left hand.
Stallion scores with a sloppy right hand. Valdez should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheers as Stallion lands an impressive looking overhand right. Valdez doesn't seem phased though.
Valdez throws a push kick but Stallion slaps the foot to one side.
Stallion shoots in and drives through. Valdez sprawls well.
Stallion looks to land a right hand but Valdez moved out of range.
Valdez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stallion moves away.
Valdez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stallion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stallion misses with a right hand
and Valdez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice shot lands for Stallion.
Stallion swings for the body but Valdez moves out of range.
Valdez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stallion tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valdez was well out of range. Poor timing from Stallion.
Stallion slips a straight right by Valdez.
A shot to the body from Stallion misses
and Valdez counters with a right hand to the body.
Valdez misses with an uppercut.
As Valdez backs off Stallion throws a huge counter combo but Valdez manages to avoid it all.
Stallion waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valdez.
Stallion cracks Valdez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Stallion is looking to clinch.
The fighters circling - Stallion throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stallion throws a jab but it's blocked by Valdez.
Valdez is looking to land body kicks.

Stallion instigates a clinch.
Stallion misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stallion misses with a body punch.
Stallion misses with a body punch.
Valdez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Stallion on the inside.
Stallion tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valdez swings wildly with an uppercut but Stallion uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stallion misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stallion lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stallion working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stallion misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Valdez stalling in the clinch but Stallion improves position.
Stallion swings wildly with an uppercut but Valdez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Valdez throws a punch but it's blocked by Stallion.

Valdez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stallion moves into range and clinches up with Valdez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stallion misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Stallion.
Valdez can't break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Stallion scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stallion lands an uppercut.
Valdez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stallions head.
Stallion lands a nice shot to the body.
Valdez blocks a body shot from Stallion.
Valdez blocks an uppercut.
Valdez misses with a body punch.
Stallion presses Valdez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Stallion cracks Valdez with a nice body shot.

Stallion drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Valdez manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Stallion has Valdez in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stallion looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stallion wants to sweep but no luck.

Stallion looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Stallion looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Valdez has picked Stallion up and slammed him! Stallion can't keep hold of the triangle and Valdez manages to pass to side control!
Valdez working away.
Stallion is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harvey Stallion dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Valdez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stallion moves away.
Stallion takes a swing at Valdez's ribcage but misses.
Stallion fails with an attempt to clinch.
Valdez moves forwards but Stallion connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stallion lands a nice hook to Valdez's body. Valdez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Valdez throws a hook but Stallion blocks it.
Stallion takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stallion throws a poor cross that misses
and Valdez counters with a straight right hand.
Valdez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stallion jabs at Valdez's body.
Stallion shoots in and drives through. Valdez sprawls well.
Stallion fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Valdez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Valdez drops his hands momentarily and Stallion takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Stallion misses its intended target.
Stallion misses with a left hand
and Valdez counters with a straight right hand.
Some bone on bone action there as Stallion checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Stallion throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stallion takes a swing at Valdez's ribcage but misses.
Stallion throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Valdez's waist but Valdez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stallion off to one side.
Valdez lands a head kick. Stallion smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Valdez connects with a body shot.
Stallion looks to land a left hand but Valdez moved out of range nicely.
Stallion dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Valdez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stallion scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
DeMario Valdez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stallion lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Stallion swings for the body but Valdez moves out of range.
Stallion throws a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stallion misses with a looping right.
It appears Valdez was looking to counter with a kick there.
Stallion throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Valdez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Stallion.
Stallion is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Stallion advances to full mount.
Stallion can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Valdez is looking to escape.
Stallion fails to take his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stallion unloads with some shots from mount but Valdez bucks and avoids them well.

Stallion working for a submission but Valdez is keeping him at bay.
Stallion landing punches.
Stallion lands a big shot there that rocks Valdez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Valdez blocking the ground and pound.
Valdez tries to hold on but Stallion pushes him away.
Stallion sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Harvey Stallion is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stallion controlling the position easily from mount.
Valdez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Stallion controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harvey Stallion comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stallion has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 45:50
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 46:50
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harvey Stallion!
Harvey Stallion is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Harvey Stallion thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.