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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Graham Mantle (ranked 423 p4p, 556 weight class) and DeMario Valdez (ranked 54 p4p, 67 weight class). Valdez has chosen Era - Ameno as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 169 cm
30
145
18 - 6 - 0 |
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180 cm
37
154
29 - 18 - 1 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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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 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Graham Mantle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, DeMario Valdez!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mantle throws an overhand right that lands on Valdez's shoulder, as Valdez tries to avoid the shot.
Valdez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab from Valdez finds it's way through Mantle's defenses.
Mantle moves into the clinch.
Valdez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mantle backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Valdez.
Mantle manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The referee is keeping an eye on Mantle - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Valdez can't break the clinch.
Valdez tries to throw a body punch but Mantle avoids it by throwing Valdez back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Valdez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Valdez enables Mantle to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Valdez manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Valdez 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.
Valdez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mantle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Valdez wants to sweep but no luck.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Valdez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mantle connects with a couple of short punches.
Valdez looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mantle puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Mantle prevents Valdez from improving his position.
Mantle not doing much here.
Mantle is trying to control the action in half guard but Valdez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Valdez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mantle. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mantle keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Valdez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mantle.
Mantle is trying to control the action in half guard but Valdez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez is trying to stand back up but Mantle is controlling him
Valdez wants to improve his position but Mantle is controlling well.
Mantle drops an elbow to the side of Valdez's head.
Mantle content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valdez wants to control but Mantle is keeping busy.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Valdez is trying to stand up here but Mantle is controlling him well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valdez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mantle.
Mantle throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Valdez to regain full guard.
Valdez trying to control the position here.
Mantle has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mantle prevents Valdez from getting back to his feet.
Valdez is trying to control the position but Mantle postures up.
Mantle controlling from the top position.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mantle misses with the combination.
Mantle misses with a jab, cross combination.
Valdez throws a looping overhand right but Mantle ducks down to avoid it.
Valdez tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mantle is able to avoid easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Valdez.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mantle scores with a jab to the body.
Valdez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mantle.
Mantle misses the jab.
Good work by Mantle as he checks the leg kick.
Valdez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mantle swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Mantle steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Valdez.
Valdez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Valdez misses with a hook.
A nice leg kick from Valdez, right into the meat of the thigh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mantle looks to land a right hand but Valdez moved out of range.
Valdez looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Mantle blocks a jab.
Jab by Mantle.
Mantle takes a jab right on the kisser.
A punch lands to the side of Mantle 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A big left from Mantle misses.
Mantle looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Valdez throws a hook but Mantle avoids it easily.
DeMario Valdez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Valdez blocks a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Graham Mantle dominated that 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.
Valdez looks for the body kick but Mantle saw that one coming.
Mantle throwing a counter right hand but Valdez manages to avoid it.
Mantle is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Valdez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mantle.
Mantle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Valdez tries to clinch but Mantle moves out of range.
Mantle tries to counter with a takedown but Valdez is quick to defend against it.
Valdez misses with a low kick.
Mantle 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.
Mantle takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Valdez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Valdez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mantle avoids the head kick by Valdez.
Mantle changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Valdez swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Mantle counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle moves away from the strike by Valdez.
Valdez misses with a wild body shot.
A swing and a miss from Mantle.
Valdez scores with the left hand. Mantle knows he should have avoided that one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valdez scores with a hook.
Valdez lands a slapping body shot.
DeMario Valdez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Valdez lands a nice shot to the body.
Mantle lands a nice shot to the body.
Valdez misses with a head kick.
Valdez lands with a nice body punch.
Valdez throws a lazy right hand but Mantle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mantle was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mantle misses the shot to the body.
DeMario Valdez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mantle connects with a single shot there.
Mantle throws a hook but Valdez blocks it.
Valdez tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mantle closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Valdez did well to prevent Mantle getting side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mantle is pressing down on Valdez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Valdez is holding on for now.
Valdez tries to get to full guard but Mantle has control of the leg.
Mantle throwing shots but Valdez is blocking nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mantle trying to mount his opponent but Valdez defends it.
Valdez is trying to stand.
Valdez has hold of Mantle's hands but Mantle slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mantle looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Valdez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Valdez wants to get back to his feet.
Valdez wants to improve his position but Mantle is controlling well.
Mantle is nestled in close to Valdez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mantle throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valdez taking some punishment here, with Mantle in his half guard.
Valdez keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle working over Valdez with some ground and pound. Valdez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mantle working the head and body with strikes.
Valdez looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mantle sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Valdez wants to control but Mantle is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Graham Mantle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mantle is controlling the pace.
Valdez is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mantle scores with a couple of nice shots.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Mantle is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Valdez wants to get back to full guard.
Mantle is looking to take a break and control but Valdez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Valdez is trying is best to control the position here.
Ground and pound from Mantle.
Mantle wants to take a breather but Valdez is having none of it.
Mantle seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Valdez wants to control but Mantle passes into side.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Graham Mantle dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Valdez misses with a body shot.
Valdez throws a front kick aimed at Mantle's knee but Mantle avoids it well.
Valdez misses with a kick to the body.
Valdez throws a leg kick which misses Mantle's front leg but catches the back leg as Mantle tries to avoid it.
Mantle checks a leg kick.
Mantle gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Valdez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Valdez ducks under a wild hook from Mantle.
Mantle scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Valdez.
Valdez lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle moves out of range of the strikes.
Mantle ducks under a wild hook from Valdez.
A shot to the liver by Mantle. Beautiful body shot.
Mantle drives through and clinches with Valdez against the cage.
Valdez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mantle drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mantle looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Valdez trying to hold on to Mantle's head to control him but Mantle postures up.
Valdez is staying active underneath Mantle, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Valdez wants to control but Mantle is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mantle lands strikes from half guard.
Valdez is looking to improve his position.
Valdez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mantle seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mantle thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Valdez's head.
Mantle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valdez can do to turn this around?
Mantle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
DeMario Valdez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Graham Mantle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Valdez wants to get back to his feet.
Mantle lands with a punch from half guard.
Valdez tries to get to full guard but Mantle has control of the leg.
Mantle is thwarting Valdez's attempts to control the position.
Mantle takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Valdez keeps control of the position for the meantime.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valdez on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mantle lands with a punch from half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle works his foot free and advances to mount.
Mantle looking to finish Valdez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Valdez!
Mantle in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Mantle tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mantle lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Valdez hang on?
Valdez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mantle lands a big elbow.
Mantle controlling from mount.
Mantle lands a big elbow.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Mantle connects with a massive shot to the dome!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mantle trying to control but Valdez is having none of it.
Valdez is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Valdez tries to hold on but Mantle pushes him away.
Mantle tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mantle trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mantle controlling from the full mount.
Mantle can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Valdez is looking to escape.
Mantle lands a big shot there that rocks Valdez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that's the end of the fight!
Graham Mantle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mantle, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Graham Mantle!
Graham Mantle thanked the fans post fight for their support.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
49% |
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