PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between DeMario Valdez (ranked 1657 p4p, 1326 weight class) and Gordon Masten (ranked 183 p4p, 139 weight class). Valdez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Era - Ameno. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Valdez
vs
Masten

180 cm
34
154
23 - 16 - 1

171 cm
24
155
9 - 0 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Conquer

Groove Gear
Urban Fighter

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 23 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, DeMario Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gordon Masten!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdez ducks under a wild hook from Masten.
Valdez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Masten fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valdez manages to avoid it.
Valdez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masten.
Valdez feints and then cracks Masten's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Masten down.
Valdez misses with a straight left.
Valdez connects with an inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Valdez.
Masten misses with a body shot.
Masten thuds a left hand into Valdez's body.
Masten swings for the body but Valdez moves out of range.
Masten looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Valdez bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Masten's corner calls for a 1-2. Masten obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Valdez.
Valdez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valdez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Masten at a distance.
Valdez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Masten misses.
Masten looks to land a left hand but Valdez moved out of range nicely.
Valdez throws a jab when Masten was well out of range.
Valdez swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Masten just misses with a punch to the body.
Masten throws the left hand but Valdez avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Masten.
Valdez throws a one two combo.
Valdez swings for the body but Masten moves out of range.
Valdez 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.
Masten moves away from the strike by Valdez.
Masten moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Valdez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Masten misses with a straight left.
Masten throws a big shot that misses.
Valdez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Valdez throws a nice looking combination but Masten bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
It seemed like Masten was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Masten misses with a body shot.
Masten throws an overhand right that lands on Valdez's shoulder, as Valdez tries to avoid the shot.
Valdez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Valdez throws a body shot but no joy.
A nice side step and Masten releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Valdez lands a nice shot that snaps Masten's head back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes from Valdez. Those never looked like landing.
Valdez misses the jab.
Masten throws out a counter right but Valdez avoids it with no problem.
Masten fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Valdez on the side of the head.
Masten lands a leg kick that knocks Valdez off balance momentarily.
Masten misses with a body shot.
Valdez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Masten.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masten uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Valdez.
Masten tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valdez was well out of range. Poor timing from Masten.
Masten swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab from Masten does it's job there.
Valdez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Masten swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Masten just misses with a punch to the body.
Masten throws a body shot but no joy.
A quick step to the side and Valdez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masten looks to throw the jab but Valdez is out of range.
Masten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valdez moves away.
Valdez cracks a nice hook into Masten's ribs.
Valdez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masten moves away.
Valdez works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Masten throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Masten throws a body shot but no joy.
Masten misses with a hook.
Masten walks into a stiff left hand from Valdez.
Valdez tries to clinch there but Masten circles away.
Valdez with a hook.
Valdez looks to land a left hand but Masten moved out of range nicely.
Valdez throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez throws a low kick but Masten avoids it.
Valdez throws a body punch but Masten moves out of range.
Valdez needs to keep his hands up - Masten had a free shot at his head there.
Masten catches Valdez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Masten has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Masten there as he acknowledges the shot.
Masten uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valdez.
Valdez throws a quick inside leg kick.

Valdez darts in and clinches Masten up against the cage.
Masten misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valdez.
Masten fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Masten lands a body shot.

Valdez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Masten misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Masten. Valdez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valdez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Valdez looks to land a right hand but Masten moved out of range.
Valdez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valdez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Masten takes a swing at Valdez's ribcage but misses.
Masten throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Valdez throws an off balance right hand
and Masten counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Valdez motions for Masten to come forward. Valdez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masten takes one to the chin there.
Masten tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valdez was well out of range. Poor timing from Masten.
Masten throws a big shot that misses.
Masten scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Valdez doesn't seem bothered though.
Valdez connects with the punch.
Valdez uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Masten has time to react.
Some bone on bone action there as Masten checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Valdez jabs Masten to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Masten misses the shot to the body.
Valdez on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Masten. Masten obviously looking to wear him down.
Valdez with a nice cross.
Left hook, right uppercut from Valdez.
The fighters circle momentarily. Masten darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Masten throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Masten throws a body shot but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valdez misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Masten looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Valdez is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Masten avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that DeMario Valdez will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Valdez throws a head kick but Masten moves out of range.
Masten looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Masten drops his hands momentarily and Valdez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Valdez looks to land a left hand but Masten moved out of range nicely.
Valdez moves out of range as Masten strikes.
Masten comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
DeMario Valdez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valdez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Valdez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masten.
The crowd cheers as Valdez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Masten doesn't seem phased though.
Masten is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Valdez rather than just go for the knockout.
Valdez tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Valdez throws a combination that misses
and Masten connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Valdez misses with a low kick.
Masten connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Masten jabs Valdez right on the nose. Valdez blinks but takes it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masten throws a body punch but Valdez moves out of range.
Valdez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Masten manages to avoid it.
Masten now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Valdez wants to clinch.
Valdez looks to land a right hand but Masten moved out of range.
Masten swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Masten fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Valdez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Masten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valdez moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masten with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Valdez goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Masten misses with a body punch
and Valdez counters with a straight right hand.
Masten is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Valdez.
Masten throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Valdez's corner calls for a 1-2. Valdez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Masten works Valdez's body with a nice hook.
A swing and a miss from Masten.
Valdez misses with an uppercut. Masten saw that one coming.
Masten takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Valdez connects with a right hand. Masten shakes it off.
Masten has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Valdez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Masten on the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Masten takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Masten tries to clinch but Valdez moves out of range.
Valdez appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Valdez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Masten fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valdez manages to avoid it.
DeMario Valdez is winning the standup battle so far.

Valdez has managed to clinch.
Masten lands a shoulder strike.

Valdez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Valdez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Masten scores with a hook to the body. Valdez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Masten throws a hook to the side of Valdez's head but Valdez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Masten looks to land a right hand but Valdez moved out of range.
Valdez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valdez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Valdez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Valdez.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Valdez comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Masten missing with a left hand there. Valdez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Valdez was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Masten uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Valdez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Masten if he has to take too many more of those.
Masten fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Valdez.
Valdez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Masten.
Valdez shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Masten eats them both and turns towards Valdez to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Masten scores with a body shot.
A jab from Valdez misses.
Valdez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Masten.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Valdez, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Valdez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masten.
Valdez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masten.
Valdez lands the left hand.
Valdez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Masten swings for the body but Valdez moves out of range.
Valdez thumps Masten with a low kick.
Valdez scores with a jab to the head.
Valdez throws a head kick that misses.
Jab by Valdez.
Masten walks into a jab.
Masten throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Masten looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valdez throws an overhand right that lands on Masten's shoulder, as Masten tries to avoid the shot.
Masten let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Masten throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Valdez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Masten throws out a powerful jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Masten. Valdez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valdez misses with a few strikes there.
Valdez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Valdez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masten throws a jab but it's blocked by Valdez.
Masten thows a left - swing and a miss!
Masten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valdez moves away.
Valdez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Masten ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Valdez slips a straight right by Masten.
Masten connects with a body shot that sends Valdez's belly button to the back.
Masten fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valdez manages to avoid it.
Masten on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Masten misses with an uppercut. Valdez saw that one coming.
Masten throws the left hand but Valdez avoids the punch easily.
Valdez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Valdez avoids the body shot from Masten.
Valdez cracks Masten with a good jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valdez takes a jab right on the kisser.
Valdez cracks a nice hook into Masten's ribs.
Masten slips under a jab from Valdez.
Valdez throws a low kick but Masten moves out of range easily.
Masten looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Masten lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Valdez at a distance.
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 DeMario Valdez will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Masten throws a hook but Valdez avoids it easily.
Valdez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Masten moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masten has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Masten there as he acknowledges the shot.
Valdez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Masten takes a swing at Valdez's ribcage but misses.
Masten misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Valdez.
Valdez is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Valdez loads up on a big right hand but Masten slips the punch.
Valdez keeps Masten at a distance using the push kick.
Masten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valdez moves away.
Valdez gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Masten.
Masten takes a swing at Valdez's ribcage but misses.
Masten throws a jab but it's blocked by Valdez.
Masten throws a jab when Valdez was well out of range.
Masten throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masten is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Masten misses the shot to the body.
Masten lands with a nice body punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Masten with a nice calf kick.
Masten on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Valdez moves out of range of the leg kick from Masten.
Valdez is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez punishes Masten's body with a nice straight punch.
Masten's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Valdez connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Masten scrambles back to his feet.
Valdez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Masten circles away quickly and effectively.
Valdez misses with a head kick.
Masten looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Valdez ducks under a wild hook from Masten.
Masten takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Valdez slips under a jab.
A jab from Masten misses.
Valdez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Valdez pivots, looking for a leg kick but Masten is out of range and Valdez settles back down.
Masten swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Valdez lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Masten looks to score with a jab to the body but Valdez is just out of range.
Valdez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Masten at a distance.
A slow jab from Masten misses its intended target.
Masten blocks a jab.
Masten throws a jab when Valdez was well out of range.
Masten pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Masten waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valdez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masten throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Valdez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Valdez defending well as Masten loads up on a big left hand.
Gordon Masten has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valdez rushes Masten and presses him up against the cage.

Valdez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Valdez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Valdez looks to throw the jab but Masten is out of range.
A lazy left from Valdez finds it's target.
Valdez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Masten fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valdez manages to avoid it.
Valdez swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A big left from Masten misses.
Masten turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Valdez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Masten.
Masten lands with an uppercut that bounces Valdez off the cage and back into range.
Masten on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Good work by Valdez as he checks the leg kick.
Masten misses with a low kick.
Valdez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Masten scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Valdez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Valdez staying out of range there.
Masten throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Masten throws a looping overhand right but Valdez ducks down to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Valdez misses the target.
Masten takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Masten's sensitive parts.
Valdez tries a head kick but it misses.
Masten tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valdez was well out of range. Poor timing from Masten.
Donk. Masten catches Valdez right on the button with a cross.
Valdez checks the leg kick nicely there.
Masten swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Valdez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Masten's head backwards.
Masten misses with an uppercut. Valdez saw that one coming.
A shot to the liver by Valdez. Beautiful body shot.
Masten throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Valdez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Masten on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Valdez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Valdez changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Masten swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Masten drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Masten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valdez moves away.
Valdez misses with a body shot.
Masten has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Valdez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masten takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Valdez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Masten scores with a jab to the body.
Masten misses the shot to the body.
Valdez scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Masten doesn't seem bothered though.
A jab from Valdez does it's job there.
Valdez misses with a straight left.
Masten tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Masten misses the target.
Valdez throws a sloppy head kick and Masten moves out of range easily.
Valdez with a hook.
Masten throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Masten scores with a shot to the body.
Masten lands a jab to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valdez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A swing and a miss from Masten.
Masten misses with a hook.
Valdez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Masten on the side of the head.
Valdez scores with a nice right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
DeMario Valdez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Valdez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DeMario Valdez!
After winning the bout, DeMario Valdez thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.