PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abraham Valuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valuev's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Eminem: Not Afraid. Valuev is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Valuev
vs
Velasquez

214 cm
25
300 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

225 cm
28
300 lbs
11 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abraham Valuev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cain Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez swinging wildly here.
Valuev is breathing heavily.
A punch combination from Velasquez misses.
Velasquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Velasquez misses with a two punch combination.
Velasquez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Abraham Valuev has been cut.
Velasquez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Valuev dodges the punch combination from Velasquez.
Velasquez gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Valuev counters with a straight right hand.
Valuev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasquez tries to avoid it but Valuev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasquez to the ground. Velasquez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Velasquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Velasquez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Valuev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velasquez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Valuev.
A punch lands to the side of Valuev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Velasquez throws a wild body kick that Valuev sees coming a mile off.
Cain Velasquez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valuev takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez misses with a kick to the body.
No joy there for Velasquez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Velasquez scores with a nice strike.
Velasquez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Valuev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Velasquez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Velasquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Velasquez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Valuev slips under a jab from Velasquez.
Valuev works the jab nicely.
Velasquez tries to move into range but Valuev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Valuev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Velasquez looks to land a combination but Valuev avoids it well.
Velasquez throws a jab but it's blocked by Valuev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throws a series of punches but Valuev avoids them all with ease.
Velasquez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Velasquez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cain Velasquez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Valuev moves into range and clinches up with Velasquez.

Valuev turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velasquez tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Valuev scoring with punches from side control.
Velasquez tries to buck Valuev off but Valuev is having none of it.
Valuev controlling the position.
Valuev lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Velasquez down.
Valuev tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
You can see the frustration on Velasquez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Velasquez tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Valuev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Valuev looks up at the clock and then as Velasquez takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Valuev smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Velasquez lands with an elbow strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Velasquez struggling a bit here.
Velasquez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Valuev working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valuev trying to control the action but Velasquez is working from the bottom.
Valuev in side control, throwing shots but Velasquez defends.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velasquez is looking for a sweep.
Valuev is looking to take a break and control but Velasquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Valuev working away.
Valuev cracks Velasquez with a big elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valuev avoids the strikes from the bottom by Velasquez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valuev lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Velasquez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abraham Valuev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Valuev slips a jab and a cross from Velasquez.
Valuev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Valuev misses with a looping right.
Velasquez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Velasquez.
Velasquez throws a right and a left that Valuev avoids nicely.
Velasquez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Valuev.
Velasquez misses with a wild combination.
Velasquez throws a head kick but Valuev moves out of range.
Velasquez throws a nice looking combination but Valuev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Velasquez is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Velasquez lands with a nice combination. Valuev backs away looking to recover.
Valuev moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valuev slips a jab from Velasquez.
Velasquez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valuev misses with a series of wild punches.
Velasquez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Valuev instigates a clinch.
Velasquez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Velasquez struggles to land a body shot inside as Valuev controls his hands.
Valuev lands with a left to the head.
Velasquez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Velasquez is trying to break free.
Still in the clinch, Valuev scores with a nice short uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Valuev.
Velasquez wants to break free but Valuev has control.
Valuev trying to control the position but instead, Velasquez has worked for underhooks and has pushed Valuev into the cage.
Velasquez pushes Valuev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Velasquez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Velasquez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Velasquez is trying to break free.
Velasquez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Velasquez is trying to push Valuev away but Valuev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short right from Valuev on the inside.
A short right from Valuev.
Valuev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Valuev.

It looks like Cain Velasquez has been cut.
Valuev lands a body shot.

Valuev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Velasquez, as that shot connected.
Velasquez misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throws out a powerful jab.
Valuev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Velasquez.
Velasquez ducks under a wild hook from Valuev.
No joy there for Velasquez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Velasquez with a jab.
Valuev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Velasquez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valuev.
Velasquez misses with a few strikes there.
Valuev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Valuev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Valuev looks to score with a jab to the body but Velasquez is just out of range.
Velasquez misses with a double jab
and Valuev counters with a right hand to the body.
Velasquez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Velasquez throws a hook but Valuev blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Velasquez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Velasquez misses with a right hand
and Valuev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice shot lands for Valuev.
Valuev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Velasquez circles away quickly and effectively.
Velasquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Velasquez misses with a double jab.
Velasquez misses with a double jab.
Valuev lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cain Velasquez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valuev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horrible takedown by Valuev or perhaps it was just good defense by Velasquez which made him look bad.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez defending well as Valuev loads up on a big left hand.
Velasquez throws a nice looking combination but Valuev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
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!
Velasquez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Valuev circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Valuev misses with a two punch combination.
Valuev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Velasquez misses with a wild combination.
Velasquez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Velasquez throws a right hand that Valuev ducks under and follows up with a left that Valuev also avoids with ease.
Velasquez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Valuev.
Velasquez slips under a jab from Valuev.
Velasquez misses with a two punch combination.
Valuev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Valuev misses with the combination.
Velasquez looks to land a combination but Valuev avoids it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valuev scores with a jab. Velasquez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Velasquez throws a right hand that Valuev ducks under and follows up with a left that Valuev also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez stalks Valuev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Valuev's face. Valuev staggers backwards, shaken.
Velasquez throws a nice looking combination but Valuev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Valuev shoots in and bounces Velasquez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Valuev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Valuev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Valuev working some strikes from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valuev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Velasquez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Valuev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Valuev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Velasquez is looking for a triangle here but Valuev uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Abraham Valuev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is trying to get back to half guard.
Velasquez struggling a bit here.
Valuev cracks Velasquez with a big elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valuev takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Velasquez to pass into mount.
Valuev breaks from Velasquez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Valuev scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Velasquez is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throwing hammer fists to the chest of Valuev. What's that going to do exactly?
Velasquez is bucking up trying to escape but Valuev cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Valuev lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Velasquez hang on?
Valuev 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.
Valuev punishing his opponent with strikes.
Valuev cracks Velasquez with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Velasquez tries to hold on but Valuev postures up.
Velasquez takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
A nice elbow there by Valuev.
Velasquez flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Valuev landing strikes from the mount and Velasquez is in trouble!
Velasquez tries to reverse the position but Valuev maintains control.
Valuev controlling from the full mount.
Velasquez throwing hammer fists to the chest of Valuev. What's that going to do exactly?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is bucking up trying to escape but Valuev cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Abraham Valuev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Valuev sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valuev landing strikes, looking to finish!
Valuev looking to ground and pound but Velasquez is blocking nicely.
Valuev prevents Velasquez from getting the reversal.
Velasquez wants to control but Valuev is having none of it.
Velasquez working to try and regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez regains half guard.
Cain Velasquez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Valuev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abraham Valuev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Velasquez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Velasquez!