PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Valen Dreth (ranked 215 p4p, 217 weight class) and Sone Fujimaro (ranked 26 p4p, 28 weight class). Fujimaro has chosen 焔 (Flame) + 暁ノ糸 (Thread of Dawn) by Wagakki Band as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dreth
vs
Fujimaro

175 cm
38
165
34 - 18 - 1

174 cm
34
155
20 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

NARCOS
FF Gear

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valen Dreth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sone Fujimaro!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Dreth.
Fujimaro let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Dreth throws a right hand that Fujimaro ducks under and follows up with a left that Fujimaro also avoids with ease.
Fujimaro on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Valen Dreth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dreth lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
No luck for Dreth with that takedown attempt.
Fujimaro was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Dreth clobbers Fujimaro with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fujimaro tries a quick counter leg kick but Dreth is wise to it.
The fighters circling - Dreth throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fujimaro digs a good hook to Dreth's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fujimaro looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fujimaro throws a lazy right hand but Dreth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dreth.
Dreth dives in for a single leg takedown but Fujimaro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Fujimaro is trying to break the clinch but Dreth has him pressed against the cage.

Fujimaro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A countering left hand to the body from Fujimaro misses.
Dreth looks for the body kick but Fujimaro saw that one coming.
Dreth throws a leg kick
enabling Fujimaro to counter with a crisp jab.
Fujimaro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little jabbing left from Fujimaro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fujimaro scores with a jab to the body.
Dreth shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dreth throws a low kick, looking for Fujimaro's leg but Fujimaro calmly moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Fujimaro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fujimaro lands a nice hook to Dreth's body. Dreth takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fujimaro. That's going to slow Dreth down.
We've been hearing reports that Dreth has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Dreth throws out a loose jab but Fujimaro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dreth moves out of range of the strikes.
Dreth misses with a two punch combination.
Fujimaro throws out a counter right but Dreth avoids it with no problem.
Dreth jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fujimaro feints a counter leg kick.
Dreth scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fujimaro in his tracks.
Fujimaro avoids a kick to the body.
Dreth misses with a looping right.
We've been informed that Fujimaro has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dreth throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fujimaro sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fujimaro cracks a nice hook into Dreth's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A swing and a miss from Dreth.
Dreth throws a right hand that Fujimaro ducks under and follows up with a left that Fujimaro also avoids with ease.
Fujimaro is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dreth rather than just go for the knockout.
Dreth ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fujimaro moves away.
Fujimaro fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dreth swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dreth shoots in for a double leg but Fujimaro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valen Dreth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fujimaro throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dreth lands a nice looking body shot.
Dreth fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Fujimaro looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dreth waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fujimaro.
Dreth keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fujimaro.
Dreth is looking to counter punch.
Dreth misses with a right hand
and Fujimaro counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dreth throws a looping overhand right but Fujimaro ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Dreth throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fujimaro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A jab from Fujimaro misses.
Fujimaro takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Fujimaro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dreth.
Despite the aggression on Fujimaro's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Dreth throws a leg kick but Fujimaro sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fujimaro throws a hook but Dreth blocks it.
Dreth scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fujimaro throws a half hearted mid kick.
Dreth shoots in and drives through. Fujimaro sprawls well.
Dreth throws a jab but it's blocked by Fujimaro.
Fujimaro moves out of range as Dreth throws a body kick.
Dreth lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Dreth misses with an uppercut
and Fujimaro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dreth will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Fujimaro throws a hook to the side of Dreth's head but Dreth sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dreth tries to bum rush Fujimaro with a series of wild strikes but Fujimaro uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A telegraphed right hand from Dreth misses the target.
Fujimaro blocks a jab.
Dreth connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dreth shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fujimaro as he avoids it easily.
Fujimaro goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Dreth looks to land a combination but Fujimaro avoids it well.
It seemed like Fujimaro was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dreth throws a leg kick that misses.
Jab by Dreth.
Dreth swings widly with a right hand
letting Fujimaro counter with a right hand.
Dreth throws a right hand that Fujimaro ducks under and follows up with a left that Fujimaro also avoids with ease.
Fujimaro shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Fujimaro throws a body punch but Dreth moves out of range.
Dreth connects with a looping right hand.
Dreth misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valen Dreth dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dreth tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fujimaro thumps Dreth with a low kick.
Dreth takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Dreth tried to score with a low kick but Fujimaro checks it.
Dreth throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Valen Dreth is winning the standup battle so far.
Fujimaro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dreth missing with a left hand there. Fujimaro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fujimaro scores with a jab to the head.
Dreth loads up on a big right hand but Fujimaro slips the punch.
Fujimaro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Fujimaro scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dreth walks into a stiff left hand from Fujimaro.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dreth shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dreth fails to land the takedown.
Fujimaro with the inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dreth shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fujimaro sprawls well. Fujimaro wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dreth gets slowly back to his feet.
Dreth looks to score with a jab to the body but Fujimaro is just out of range.
Fujimaro doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A clash of legs there as Fujimaro blocks the low kick.
Fujimaro swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Donk. Dreth catches Fujimaro right on the button with a cross.
Dreth lands a jab to the nose.
Dreth shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valen Dreth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dreth tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fujimaro sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dreth somewhat.
Fujimaro tries a quick counter leg kick but Dreth is wise to it.
Dreth tried to score with a low kick but Fujimaro checks it.
Fujimaro swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Dreth uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fujimaro has time to react.
Dreth throws a sloppy body shot
and Fujimaro counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fujimaro staying out of range there.
Dreth misses with the combination.
A jab from Dreth misses.
Fujimaro let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Dreth misses with a body shot.
Dreth throws a right and a left that Fujimaro avoids nicely.
Fujimaro throws a series of punches but Dreth moves out of range.
Fujimaro slips under a jab from Dreth.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dreth misses with a leg kick.
Fujimaro unleashes a big counter combination but Dreth bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Fujimaro lands with a right hand.
Sone Fujimaro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fujimaro with a nice calf kick.
Dreth fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fujimaro manages to avoid it.
Fujimaro moves out of range of the strikes.
Dreth backing away here, and Fujimaro unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Fujimaro throws a hook but Dreth avoids it easily.
Fujimaro blocks a head kick by Dreth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dreth changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fujimaro tries to avoid it but Dreth manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fujimaro to the ground. Fujimaro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dreth throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fujimaro moves away from the strike by Dreth.
Fujimaro appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Dreth cracks Fujimaro with a good jab.
Fujimaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fujimaro tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Dreth is able to avoid easily.
Dreth tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Fujimaro is able to avoid easily.
Fujimaro replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Dreth blocks it well.
Dreth throws a hook to the side of Fujimaro's head but Fujimaro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fujimaro tries to work over Dreth's front leg with a kick but Dreth checks it.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Despite the aggression on Fujimaro's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Dreth rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fujimaro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fujimaro, as that shot connected.
Fujimaro lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dreth at a distance.
Dreth shoots in looking for a takedown. Fujimaro tries to sprawl out of it but Dreth keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fujimaro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dreth lands with a straight right. Fujimaro didn't see that one coming.
Dreth throws a sloppy head kick and Fujimaro moves out of range easily.
Dreth throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fujimaro sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fujimaro is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Dreth with a body shot.
Fujimaro wants to land a leg kick but Dreth is out of range.
Dreth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dreth waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fujimaro.
Fujimaro feints a counter leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fujimaro ducks right into an uppercut from Dreth.
Dreth throws a hook to the side of Fujimaro's head but Fujimaro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dreth slips a jab from Fujimaro.
Dreth misses with a few strikes there.
Fujimaro thinks about the counter body kick.
Dreth moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fujimaro moves away from the strike by Dreth.
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 Valen Dreth will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Dreth misses the jab.
Fujimaro takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Dreth tries to score with a low kick but Fujimaro moves his leg out of the way.
Dreth scores with a jab. Fujimaro acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Dreth throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Fujimaro works Dreth's body with a nice hook.
Dreth fails with the takedown.
Dreth looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fujimaro, as that shot connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fujimaro scores with a hook to the body. Dreth takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Dreth lands a glancing blow to the side of Fujimaro's head.
Dreth scores with a spinning back kick!
Fujimaro is looking to chop away at Dreth's legs.
Fujimaro just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujimaro uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dreth.
Dreth misses with a looping right.
Fujimaro throws out a counter right but Dreth avoids it with no problem.
Dreth throws a low kick, looking for Fujimaro's leg but Fujimaro calmly moves out of range.
Dreth looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fujimaro doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Fujimaro lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dreth works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fujimaro swings for the body but Dreth moves out of range.
Fujimaro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dreth throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dreth throws an off balance right hand
and Fujimaro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dreth does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fujimaro lands a jab to Dreth's midsection.
Fujimaro scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sone Fujimaro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fujimaro looks to throw the jab but Dreth is out of range.
Dreth throws a sloppy head kick and Fujimaro moves out of range easily.
Dreth throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fujimaro.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dreth thows a leg kick but Fujimaro checks it
and Fujimaro counters with a thumping low kick.
Dreth swings widly with a right hand
and Fujimaro counters with a straight right hand.
Fujimaro digs a good hook to Dreth's body.
Dreth gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fujimaro.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Dreth checks a leg kick.
Dreth is looking to counter punch.
Dreth throws a sloppy head kick and Fujimaro moves out of range easily.
Fujimaro was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Dreth takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Dreth smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Dreth has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fujimaro finds it's way round the side to connect with Dreth's head.
Fujimaro throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fujimaro connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dreth tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fujimaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Dreth.
Dreth throws a poor cross that misses
and Fujimaro counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dreth has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valen Dreth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dreth uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fujimaro.
Dreth rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fujimaro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fujimaro keeps Dreth at a distance using the push kick.
Dreth fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fujimaro manages to avoid it.
Fujimaro looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Dreth misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dreth will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fujimaro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dreth.
No luck for Dreth with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dreth keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fujimaro.
Dreth looks to score with a jab to the body but Fujimaro is just out of range.
Fujimaro appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Dreth misses with a body kick.
Fujimaro is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dreth misses with an uppercut
letting Fujimaro counter with a right hand.
Dreth throws a jab when Fujimaro was well out of range.
Dreth throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dreth misses the shot to the body.
A nice leg kick from Fujimaro, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dreth throws a looping overhand right but Fujimaro ducks down to avoid it.
Dreth defending well as Fujimaro loads up on a big left hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fujimaro.
Dreth misses with a hook. Fujimaro ducked under it nicely.
It seemed like Fujimaro was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dreth throws a chopping leg kick but Fujimaro manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sone Fujimaro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dreth 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valen Dreth!
Valen Dreth decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Sone Fujimaro had this to say: 'So you DO fight like a coward! A disgrace on your family!'.