PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stuart Burrows (ranked 241 p4p, 467 weight class) and Bethania Valverde (ranked 13 p4p, 27 weight class). Burrows comes to the cage accompanied by Baba O'Riley. Valverde has chosen LLAMAME YA as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Burrows
vs
Valverde

162 cm
26
135
15 - 2 - 1

172 cm
24
140
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

UNDEFEATED
Akuma Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Stuart Burrows!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bethania Valverde!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Jonathan Paton and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burrows ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Burrows throws a body shot but no joy.
Bethania Valverde seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burrows defending well as Valverde loads up on a big left hand.
Burrows feinted with a counter takedown.
Burrows closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Valverde displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Burrows.
We've been hearing reports that Burrows has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Valverde. That's going to slow Burrows down.
Burrows walks into a straight right hand from Valverde.
Valverde misses with a hook to the body
and Burrows makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Valverde misses with a hook.
Burrows throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valverde pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valverde throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Burrows counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burrows trying to control the position from guard on top but Valverde is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows stops Valverde from standing up.
Burrows is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Burrows trying to control but Valverde is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two 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.

Valverde tries to sprawl but Burrows drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Valverde wants to get back to his feet.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Burrows in particular looking to stall.
Burrows looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valverde is trying to stand.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Burrows with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Burrows moves out of range of the strikes.
Burrows half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Burrows shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Valverde eats them both and turns towards Burrows to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Valverde lands a slapping body shot.
Valverde lands a nice looking body shot.
Valverde misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burrows.
Burrows displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Valverde throws out the jab.
Valverde misses with a hook.
Burrows is looking for a counter combo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Valverde. Burrows does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valverde tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Burrows was well out of range. Poor timing from Valverde.
Burrows just misses with a punch to the body.
Burrows lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burrows keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Burrows throws a big counter combination but Valverde scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Burrows waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valverde.
Valverde loads up on a big right hand but Burrows slips the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valverde misses with a combination
and Burrows counters with a stiff right hand.
Valverde lands a slapping body shot.
Burrows checks a leg kick nicely.
Valverde misses with a straight right.
Burrows uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valverde.
Valverde throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Burrows counters with a left to the body.
Burrows moves away from the strike by Valverde.
Burrows avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Valverde throws a lazy uppercut
and Burrows counters with a right hand to the body.
Valverde throws an overhand right that lands on Burrows's shoulder, as Burrows tries to avoid the shot.
Valverde throws a sloppy head kick and Burrows moves out of range easily.
Burrows shoots in looking for a takedown. Valverde tries to sprawl out of it but Burrows keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Valverde manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bethania Valverde will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Valverde throws an off balance right hand
and Burrows counters with a stiff right hand.
Valverde takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Burrows shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Valverde pinned against the cage. Valverde gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Some bone on bone action there as Burrows checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Valverde tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Burrows was well out of range. Poor timing from Valverde.
A solid leg kick lands there for Valverde.
Burrows loads up on a big right hand but Valverde slips the punch.
No luck for Burrows with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burrows misses the shot to the body.
Burrows avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Burrows appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Burrows swings for the body but Valverde moves out of range.
Burrows staying out of range there.
Burrows swings for the body but Valverde moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows connects with a nice looking jab.
Burrows moves forwards but Valverde connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Valverde on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A slow jab from Valverde misses its intended target.
Valverde misses with a lunging right hand
and Valverde takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Burrows fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice uppercut there from Valverde.
Burrows takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Valverde waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Burrows.
Burrows is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Valverde with a nice calf kick.
Valverde lands with a cross.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Burrows ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bethania Valverde seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valverde throws out a leg kick but Burrows moves out of range and Valverde only half commits.
Bethania Valverde is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burrows ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Burrows attempts a counter takedown but Valverde avoids it well and moves away.
Valverde just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Burrows throws a hook but Valverde blocks it.
Burrows misses with a wild body shot.
Valverde dips to his left and cracks Burrows with an uppercut!
Valverde lands with a slapping head kick.
Valverde misses with a looping right.
Burrows throws a looping overhand right but Valverde ducks down to avoid it.
Valverde pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Burrows ducks under a wild hook from Valverde.
Valverde connects with a crisp jab.
Valverde throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Burrows darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Valverde is not content to let Burrows control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows controlling the action here.
Burrows wants to free his trapped foot but Valverde is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Burrows prevents Valverde from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Burrows seems to be working for a kimura but Valverde defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Burrows is looking for a kimura but Valverde is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Burrows to get the leverage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Burrows perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Burrows fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Valverde looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Valverde on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Valverde misses with a straight right.
Valverde lands a jab to the head.
Valverde misses with an uppercut

and Burrows counters with a shoot takedown. Valverde fights it but they end up in guard.
Valverde wants to get back to his feet but Burrows passes into half guard.
Stuart Burrows overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Burrows wants to take a breather but Valverde is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bethania Valverde will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Burrows keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Burrows looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Valverde is fending him off so far but Burrows persists. Nope, Valverde circles away and we're back to standing.
Valverde misses with a series of wild punches.
Burrows displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Valverde throws out the jab.
Burrows changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Valverde dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Valverde throws a lazy uppercut
and Burrows counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Valverde throws a hook but Burrows avoids it easily.
Valverde defending well as Burrows loads up on a big left hand.
Burrows misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valverde pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valverde waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Burrows.
Burrows shoots in for a takedown but Valverde shows good takedown defense.
A low kick lands for Valverde.
Burrows scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valverde lands an overhand right.
Burrows shoots for a double leg takedown but Valverde sprawls well. He's pushed Burrows's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stuart Burrows. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burrows moves out of range of the strikes.
Burrows misses with a jab, cross combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Burrows darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Valverde throws a shot from downtown. Burrows moves away and avoids it.
Burrows throws a big counter combination but Valverde scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A cross from Burrows lands.
Burrows on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Valverde fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burrows manages to avoid it.
Burrows connects with the punch.
Valverde avoids the body shot from Burrows.
Burrows just misses with a punch to the body.
Valverde lands a nice shot to the body.
Valverde throws a hook but Burrows blocks it.
Valverde swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burrows keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Burrows moves out of range of the leg kick from Valverde.
Jab by Valverde.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Valverde lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Burrows has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Burrows and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Valverde gets caught napping as Burrows dives in and scores a takedown. Valverde manages to retain guard.
Burrows controlling from the top position.
Burrows stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valverde swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Valverde keeping moving, preventing Burrows from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows advances position into side control!
Valverde really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Burrows. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Valverde seems a little lost for a moment, as Burrows dominates the positioning.
Valverde is pushing Burrows's head away, looking to escape. Burrows manages to hold on to the position though.

Burrows goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Valverde has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Burrows but great work by Valverde.
Valverde trying to control the action but Burrows is working from the bottom.

Valverde decides to stand up, so the ref orders Burrows to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burrows swings for the body but Valverde moves out of range.
Burrows goes for a double leg but Valverde avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Valverde continues to drive forward.

Burrows manages to break the clinch.
Burrows throws a jab when Valverde was well out of range.
Burrows fails with a takedown attempt.
Valverde tries a low kick but Burrows avoids it.
Burrows misses with a hook to the body
and Valverde counters with a stiff right hand.
Good leg kick by Valverde.
Valverde with a nice cross.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Valverde throws a right hand that misses
and Burrows counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Valverde thinking.
Valverde keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Valverde looks like he wants to counter punch here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bethania Valverde really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Valverde throws out a loose jab but Burrows uses good head movement to avoid it.
Valverde waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Burrows.
Burrows lands a nice shot that snaps Valverde's head back.
Valverde misses with a straight right.
Burrows catches Valverde with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Burrows moves away from the strike by Valverde.
A looping hook to the body misses from Valverde. Burrows does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valverde misses with a looping right.
Burrows ducks under a wild hook from Valverde.
Burrows defending well as Valverde loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valverde lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Valverde misses with a hook. Burrows ducked under it nicely.
Valverde looks to throw the jab but Burrows is out of range.
Burrows throws an off balance right hand
enabling Valverde to counter with a crisp jab.
Burrows swings away with a body shot that misses
and Valverde counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Burrows throws out a powerful jab.
Burrows shoots in looking for a takedown. Valverde tries to sprawl out of it but Burrows keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Valverde manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Valverde blocks a jab.
Burrows stuns Valverde with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Valverde with a nice cross.
Burrows drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Burrows dives in and scores a takedown into Valverde's guard.
Burrows trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Burrows passes into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Still in half guard, Burrows seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valverde is looking to escape.
Burrows wants to free his trapped foot but Valverde is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Valverde is trying to stand.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Burrows dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valverde throws a wild body kick that Burrows sees coming a mile off.
Burrows ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valverde moves away.
Burrows throws a series of punches but Valverde avoids them all with ease.
Valverde ducks under a wild hook from Burrows.
Valverde replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Burrows blocks it well.
Burrows with a poor takedown
letting Valverde counter with a right hand.
Valverde throws a leg kick that misses.
Valverde with a nice calf kick.
Burrows swings for the body but Valverde moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Burrows there.
Burrows paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Burrows takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Burrows staying out of range there.
Burrows throws a combination that misses
and Valverde counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Valverde pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valverde throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Valverde. Burrows does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Burrows is defended easily by Valverde.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stuart Burrows. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Valverde drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Burrows throws a body punch but Valverde moves out of range.
Burrows on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Burrows walks into a left hand.
Valverde takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Burrows missing with a left hand there. Valverde was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Burrows shoots in looking for a takedown but Valverde manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Burrows's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Bethania Valverde will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Valverde cracks Burrows with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Burrows throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Valverde counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Burrows is defended easily by Valverde.
Burrows looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Valverde swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Burrows counters with a nice body shot.
Burrows lunges at Valverde with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Valverde's hand.
Burrows connects with a jab.
Valverde thows a leg kick but Burrows checks it

and Burrows counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Burrows.
Valverde is looking to stand back up but Burrows counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Valverde.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Burrows prevents Valverde from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows controlling the pace.
Valverde wants to get back to his feet.
Valverde is trying to escape back to his feet but Burrows uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Valverde wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Burrows tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Stuart Burrows has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Burrows trying to control the position but Valverde is working away.
Valverde is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Burrows has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Bethania Valverde is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Burrows is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows trying to control the position but Valverde is working away.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Burrows misses with a jab to the body
and Valverde counters with a nice kick to the body.
Burrows moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Burrows tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valverde was well out of range. Poor timing from Burrows.
Burrows misses with a lunging right hand
and Valverde cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Valverde lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Valverde steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Burrows.
Burrows scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Valverde keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Valverde let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Burrows looks to land a left hand but Valverde moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burrows uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Valverde.
A jab from Valverde does it's job there.
Burrows is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Burrows slips a jab from Valverde.
Valverde throws a sloppy head kick
and Burrows counters with a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valverde stuffs the takedown.
Burrows just misses with a punch to the body.
Valverde scores with a sloppy right hand. Burrows should have avoided that one.
Burrows throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Valverde sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Valverde looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Valverde lands a jab.
Valverde scores with a hook.
Valverde lands a nice shot to the body.
Burrows looks to score with a jab to the body but Valverde is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bethania Valverde.
I've got Valverde winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 45:50

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