PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Olivier Saint Maximin (ranked 3262 p4p, 4323 weight class) and Filip Valcak (ranked 410 p4p, 510 weight class). Valcak has chosen Biggie Smalls - Hypnotize as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saint Maximin
vs
Valcak

184 cm
18
188
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
190
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Olivier Saint Maximin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Filip Valcak!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valcak tries to clinch but Saint Maximin is having none of it.

Valcak moves into range and clinches up with Saint Maximin.
Saint Maximin is working for takedown but Valcak is calmly controlling the position for now.

Saint Maximin breaks the clinch.

Valcak darts in and clinches Saint Maximin up against the cage.

Saint Maximin has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Valcak uses from the top position.
Valcak slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Saint Maximin can't keep his opponent in guard - Valcak advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valcak is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Saint Maximin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Valcak wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saint Maximin keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valcak slips a nice elbow through Saint Maximin's hands, connecting with Saint Maximin's forehead.
Valcak wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saint Maximin keeps working.
Saint Maximin is trying to maintain the position but Valcak is very close to passing his half guard.

Valcak is looking for a kimura here.
Saint Maximin looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Valcak thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Valcak is taking a breather. Saint Maximin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Saint Maximin tries to get to full guard but Valcak has control of the leg.
Saint Maximin is trying to stand back up but Valcak is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valcak wants to take a breather but Saint Maximin is having none of it.
Saint Maximin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Valcak on the ground.
Saint Maximin tries to roll over but Valcak keeps him under control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saint Maximin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valcak manages to avoid it.
Valcak closes the distance and clinches up with Saint Maximin, looking for a takedown. Valcak pushes Saint Maximin against the cage but Saint Maximin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Saint Maximin moves into range and clinches up with Valcak.
Saint Maximin prevents a takedown attempt there.

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

Valcak moves into the clinch successfully.
Saint Maximin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Valcak.
Olivier Saint Maximin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Filip Valcak.
Valcak gets underhooks to prevent Saint Maximin's takedown attempt.
Valcak tries to score a body lock takedown but Saint Maximin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Valcak decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valcak keeping full guard, as Saint Maximin tries to pass.
Valcak working a defensive guard here.
Valcak has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Saint Maximin has passed into side control.
Valcak manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Valcak looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Valcak wants to control but Saint Maximin is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Valcak dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Valcak displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saint Maximin.

Saint Maximin moves into the clinch.
Valcak can't get the takedown.
Saint Maximin stalling.
Valcak lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saint Maximin.

Saint Maximin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Valcak shoots in for a takedown but Saint Maximin shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saint Maximin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Valcak but Valcak pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Valcak darts in looking for a takedown but Saint Maximin gets double underhooks and turns Valcak into the cage.
Olivier Saint Maximin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Filip Valcak.
Saint Maximin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saint Maximin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Valcak shoots in looking for a takedown but Saint Maximin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Valcak's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck for Valcak with that takedown attempt.

Saint Maximin has managed to clinch.

Saint Maximin pulls guard effortlessly.
Valcak wants to control from the top but Saint Maximin keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valcak passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Valcak wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saint Maximin keeps working.
Valcak has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valcak can't control as he wanted to and Saint Maximin manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Valcak is looking to advance position but Saint Maximin won't allow it.
Valcak controlling the action here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Valcak controlling the action here.
Valcak wants to control but Saint Maximin is keeping him busy.

Valcak is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Saint Maximin sees it coming and defends easily.
Valcak seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Saint Maximin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Olivier Saint Maximin will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Saint Maximin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valcak.
Valcak is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saint Maximin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Valcak is fending him off so far but Saint Maximin persists. Nope, Valcak circles away and we're back to standing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saint Maximin just leaning against Valcak, taking a breather.
Saint Maximin is trying to force a seperation but Valcak has the dominant position.
Saint Maximin wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valcak tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Saint Maximin just stands there and leans against the cage.

Valcak lands a takedown into guard.
Saint Maximin controls Valcak momentarily but Valcak frees himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saint Maximin keeping moving, preventing Valcak from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valcak stays in close to Saint Maximin's body and controls the position.
Saint Maximin is trying to control the position but Valcak postures up.
Valcak advances position into side control!
Valcak trying to control the action but Saint Maximin is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Valcak landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Valcak trying to control the position but Saint Maximin is working away.

Valcak tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Valcak trying to control the action but Saint Maximin is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saint Maximin being controlled for a moment.
Valcak wants to control but Saint Maximin is keeping him busy.
Valcak working away.

Valcak tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Valcak has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

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.
Saint Maximin managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Valcak.
Valcak passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Saint Maximin!

Valcak working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Saint Maximin turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Valcak off and cradles Saint Maximin's limp body as Valcak celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Filip Valcak!
During a confident post fight interview, Filip Valcak thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.