PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ramon Rabbit (ranked 1524 p4p, 1122 weight class) and Lou Valentine (ranked 224 p4p, 168 weight class). Lou Valentine told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Rabbit
vs
Valentine

179 cm
25
172
11 - 10 - 0

174 cm
24
172
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite 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 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ramon Rabbit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lou Valentine!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Ron Honeybunn and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rabbit thows a leg kick but Valentine checks it
and Valentine counters with a nice leg kick.
Valentine throws a head kick but Rabbit moves out of range.
A jab lands there for Rabbit.
Valentine looks to score with a jab to the body but Rabbit is just out of range.
Valentine bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
That kick from Valentine tenderised Rabbit's leg. Rabbit is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rabbit throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rabbit misses with a low kick.
Rabbit misses with a low kick.
Valentine thows a leg kick but Rabbit checks it
and Rabbit makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Valentine swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Valentine misses with a low kick.
Valentine blocks a jab.
Valentine throws a head kick that misses.
Valentine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rabbit sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Valentine pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rabbit looks to score with a jab to the body but Valentine is just out of range.
Rabbit getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rabbit swings for the body but Valentine moves out of range.
Rabbit takes a swing at Valentine's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabbit jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Valentine swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rabbit misses the body punch
and Valentine counters with a nice body shot.
Valentine punishes Rabbit's body with a nice straight punch.
Rabbit misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rabbit throws a jab but it's blocked by Valentine.
Rabbit has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Rabbit misses with a head kick.
Rabbit moves away from the strike by Valentine.
Valentine tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rabbit swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Valentine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rabbit was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rabbit misses with a looping right.
Valentine wants to counter with a clinch but Rabbit pushes him away.
Valentine uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rabbit.
Rabbit sets himself, and Valentine steps forward looking for the clinch! Rabbit avoids it this time.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rabbit.

Valentine has closed the distance and engaged Rabbit in a clinch.
Rabbit prevents a body shot from Valentine.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rabbit.
Rabbit lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Valentine cracks Rabbit with a nice body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Valentine fails to land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rabbit has a couple of punches blocked by Valentine.
Valentine misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Valentine creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Rabbit breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Valentine tries to clinch but Rabbit is having none of it.
Valentine bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Valentine tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rabbit swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Valentine has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Rabbit wants to slow Valentine down by chopping away at his legs.
Valentine throws out a powerful jab.
Decent striking displayed by Rabbit there.
Rabbit throws an off balance right hand
and Valentine counters with a right hand to the body.
Rabbit fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Valentine looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Valentine throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Valentine.
A big left from Valentine misses.
Valentine throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Valentine takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Valentine tries a head kick but it misses.
Valentine moves in looking to clinch but Rabbit pushes him off.
Valentine connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Valentine uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rabbit has time to react.
A big left from Rabbit misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Rabbit misses.
Valentine avoids a kick to the body.
Rabbit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Valentine.
Valentine throws a solid leg kick but Rabbit takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Valentine.
The fight stays on the outside here - Valentine looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Valentine scores with a body shot.
Valentine fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rabbit tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rabbit misses with an attempted mid kick.
A big left from Rabbit misses.
Rabbit listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rabbit avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Valentine tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rabbit was well out of range. Poor timing from Valentine.
Rabbit throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Valentine swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A shot to the body from Rabbit misses
and Valentine makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rabbit just misses with a punch to the body.
Valentine throws out a powerful jab.
Rabbit attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Valentine tries a low kick but Rabbit avoids it.
Rabbit moves away from the strike by Valentine.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Valentine has managed to clinch.
Rabbit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Valentine is leaning against Rabbit and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Valentine scores with a hook to the body.
Valentine tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rabbit's elbow.
Rabbit tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rabbit blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rabbit breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valentine defending well as Rabbit loads up on a big left hand.
Valentine ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rabbit moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valentine ducks under a wild hook from Rabbit.
Rabbit throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Valentine tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rabbit manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Valentine with that takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lou Valentine will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rabbit misses with a body kick.
Rabbit misses the shot to the body.
Rabbit scores with a leg kick.
Valentine lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Rabbit tries to keep at a distance but Valentine has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Valentine as the two fighters clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Valentine.

Valentine pulls guard.
Rabbit trying to control but Valentine is working from the bottom.

Valentine working for a triangle but Rabbit defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Valentine looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Valentine has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rabbit can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rabbit stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valentine swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Valentine looking for subs off his back but Rabbit has passed one foot through into half guard.
Valentine slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Valentine not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Valentine looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Valentine controls Rabbit momentarily but Rabbit frees himself.
Rabbit stands and throws Valentine's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valentine can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine tries to improve position but can't.
Valentine manages to get back to half guard.
Valentine tries to get to full guard but Rabbit has control of the leg.
Valentine keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Valentine trying to control from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Valentine is looking for a sweep. Rabbit is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rabbit wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valentine keeps working.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Valentine fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rabbit is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Valentine throws out a loose jab but Rabbit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rabbit scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Valentine closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short right from Rabbit on the inside.
Rabbit misses with a body punch.
Lou Valentine seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rabbit blocking some punches.
Valentine tries to pull guard but Rabbit forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Rabbit blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rabbit.
Valentine lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rabbit backwards.
Valentine tries to work over Rabbit's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Valentine goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Valentine scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rabbit.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Valentine.
Valentine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valentine tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rabbit can't break the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lou Valentine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Rabbit. Valentine does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rabbit lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fighters circling - Valentine throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Valentine avoids the body shot from Rabbit.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rabbit. Valentine shrugs it off though.
Rabbit lands a leg kick that knocks Valentine off balance momentarily.
Valentine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rabbit throws a body shot but no joy.
Valentine connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rabbit keeps the fight on the outside.
A solid leg kick lands there for Valentine.
Valentine tries to close the distance and clinch but Rabbit swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rabbit moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Valentine shoots in but no luck this time.
Rabbit throws a front kick aimed at Valentine's knee but Valentine avoids it well.
Rabbit misses with a wild combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valentine is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rabbit throws a leg kick but Valentine sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Valentine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rabbit scores with a nice right hand.
Rabbit throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Valentine tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Valentine chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rabbit can pounce on him.
Valentine tries a head kick but it misses.
Valentine takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rabbit throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Valentine stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rabbit's corner calls for a 1-2. Rabbit obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Valentine drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Valentine looks to land a left hand but Rabbit moved out of range nicely.
Valentine tries to clinch but Rabbit moves out of range.
Rabbit is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rabbit fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Donk. Valentine catches Rabbit right on the button with a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed right hand from Valentine misses the target.
Ramon Rabbit has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rabbit counters with a good, hard body kick but Valentine shrugs it off.
Valentine is looking to land body kicks.
Valentine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A good leg kick by Rabbit.
Valentine looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A low kick from Valentine misses
and Rabbit counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A slow jab from Valentine misses its intended target.
A big right from Valentine misses.
Valentine misses with a leg kick.
Rabbit gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Valentine.
Rabbit throws a hook to the side of Valentine's head but Valentine sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Valentine pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Valentine misses with a head kick.
Valentine throws a leg kick
and Rabbit counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Valentine misses the shot to the body.
Rabbit lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rabbit takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Valentine is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Valentine tries to clinch there but Rabbit circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Valentine looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rabbit.
Rabbit misses with a leg kick.
Valentine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rabbit jabs Valentine to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rabbit lands with a good body shot.

Valentine bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Valentine is trying to get an arm triangle but Rabbit is defending well.

Valentine tries for a kimura but Rabbit is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rabbit keeps working.
Lou Valentine is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rabbit tries to escape but Valentine is in control.
Rabbit tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rabbit is working hard here to advance position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ramon Rabbit showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Valentine 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Lou Valentine!
After the fight, Lou Valentine was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.