PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brendon Valenzuela (ranked 4051 p4p, 25219 weight class) and Rafael Darren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Darren has chosen Yeah! as his entrance music. Rafael Darren is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Valenzuela
vs
Darren

175 cm
19
188
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
185
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Brendon Valenzuela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael Darren!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valenzuela tries to clinch there but Darren circles away.
Darren fails to land with a series of punches.
Darren lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Valenzuela wants to clinch.
Valenzuela takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rafael Darren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valenzuela fails with a takedown attempt.
As Valenzuela backs off Darren throws a huge counter combo but Valenzuela manages to avoid it all.
Darren misses with a jab, cross combination.
Valenzuela tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Darren manages to circle out of the way.
Valenzuela tries to clinch there but Darren circles away.
Valenzuela shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Darren defends it nicely.
Darren looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Valenzuela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darren stuffs the takedown attempt from Valenzuela. Valenzuela gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brendon Valenzuela. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valenzuela throws a body punch but Darren moves out of range.
Darren fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Darren - that will leave a mark!
Darren throws a head kick but Valenzuela moves out of range.
Valenzuela throws a big counter combination but Darren scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Darren lands a head kick. Valenzuela smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Darren stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Darren wants it to stay on the feet.
Valenzuela dodges the punch combination from Darren.
Darren scores with a head kick. Valenzuela tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Valenzuela shoots in and drives through. Darren sprawls well.
Valenzuela dives in for a single leg takedown but Darren sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Darren is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valenzuela gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Valenzuela escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darren misses with a double jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darren lands with an overhand left.
Valenzuela fails with the takedown.
Darren lands a head kick. Valenzuela smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Valenzuela could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Valenzuela fails with a takedown attempt.
Valenzuela is breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Valenzuela.
Darren lands a jab to Valenzuela's midsection.
Darren lands a jab-cross combination.
Darren tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela has a takedown stuffed.
Valenzuela fails with a takedown attempt.
Valenzuela on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Darren. Darren obviously looking to wear him down.
Valenzuela shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some wild striking there from Darren.
It looked like Valenzuela was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Valenzuela thuds his shin into the meat of Darren's side.
Valenzuela on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela fails with an attempt to clinch.
Darren throws a head kick that misses.
Valenzuela misses with a takedown attempt - Darren sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Darren throws a series of punches but Valenzuela avoids them all with ease.
Darren circles away from the clinch attempt.
Darren walks forward, straight into a front kick from Valenzuela.
Darren takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Valenzuela moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Valenzuela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Darren. No joy for Valenzuela on that attempt.
Valenzuela misses with a head kick.
Darren unleashes a big counter combination but Valenzuela bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Valenzuela shoots for a takedown but Darren saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Darren dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Darren gets the takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Valenzuela's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Darren is looking to take a break and control but Valenzuela is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Darren in side control, throwing shots but Valenzuela defends.
Valenzuela tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Darren presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darren trying to control but Valenzuela is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Darren wants to control the action but instead Valenzuela gets a body lock and reverses into Darren's guard! Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valenzuela trying to control the position from guard on top but Darren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Valenzuela loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Darren keeping moving, preventing Valenzuela from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Darren is trying to keep Valenzuela in close.
Darren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valenzuela is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Darren keeping moving, preventing Valenzuela from controlling successfully.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Darren is trying to keep Valenzuela in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Brendon Valenzuela is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Darren lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Darren is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darren defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Valenzuela.
Darren throws a fast counter high kick but Valenzuela manages to duck under it in time.
Valenzuela throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Darren's waist but Darren gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Valenzuela off to one side.
Valenzuela is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Darren.
Valenzuela looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Darren is fending him off so far but Valenzuela persists. Nope, Darren circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brendon Valenzuela. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch lands to the side of Valenzuela 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Darren throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Valenzuela tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Darren is in Valenzuela's guard.
Darren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valenzuela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Darren won't allow Valenzuela to get back to his feet.

Valenzuela is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Valenzuela trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valenzuela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rafael Darren has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valenzuela not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Valenzuela avoids the head kick by Darren.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valenzuela misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice sprawl there from Darren as Valenzuela shoots in.
Darren throws a counter combo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Darren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, 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.

Valenzuela shoots in and drives through. Darren sprawls well.
Darren is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Darren looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Darren is fighting to break Valenzuela's control of his arms but Valenzuela is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Darren trying to control the position from guard on top but Valenzuela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Valenzuela is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valenzuela being controlled here, momentarily.
Darren preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valenzuela pulls Darren in to control the position.
Darren stopping the sweep attempt from Valenzuela.
Darren wants to control from the top but Valenzuela keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Valenzuela dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Darren lands with a slapping head kick.
Darren stuffs the takedown.

Valenzuela clinches.

Darren manages to pull guard.
Valenzuela trying to control but Darren is working from the bottom.
Rafael Darren is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darren working a defensive guard here.
Darren keeping moving, preventing Valenzuela from controlling successfully.
Darren is trying to control the position but Valenzuela postures up.
Valenzuela works over Darren with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darren keeping full guard, as Valenzuela tries to pass.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Valenzuela trying to control the position from guard on top but Darren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darren misses with a wild combination.
Valenzuela wants to clinch.

Valenzuela closes the distance and clinches.

Valenzuela breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Darren throws a sloppy head kick and Valenzuela moves out of range easily.
Valenzuela takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Valenzuela fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Darren with the counter takedown but Valenzuela avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brendon Valenzuela. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela shoots in and drives through. Darren sprawls well.
Valenzuela tries to clinch up but Darren circles away and keeps his distance.
A low kick lands for Darren.
Darren circles away from the clinch attempt
and Darren counters with a series of strikes. Valenzuela will be more careful next time no doubt.
Darren throws a head kick that misses.
Valenzuela misses with a two punch combination.
Valenzuela looks for a takedown but Darren sprawls well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Darren lands a head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Darren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Darren 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Darren!
Rafael Darren bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.