PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bart Meesters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Valentino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Meesters
vs
Valentino

180 cm
30
145 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

179 cm
20
143 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bart Meesters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Valentino!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentino tries to clinch there but Meesters circles away.
Valentino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Valentino throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Valentino wants to clinch up but Meesters keeps it at a distance.
Valentino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Meesters paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Valentino is looking to clinch.
Valentino tries to clinch up

and Meesters counters with a single leg into guard. Valentino didn't expect that.
Meesters prevents Valentino from getting back to his feet.
Meesters looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Meesters with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Valentino working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Meesters doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Meesters manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Meesters is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Valentino escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Meesters gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meesters controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Valentino is looking to stand up but Meesters isn't so interested in that idea.

Valentino looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Meesters slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Meesters really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Valentino working for a triangle but Meesters defends it easily.
Meesters content to stall in guard here.

Valentino is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Meesters defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentino wants to sweep here but Meesters controlling him for the moment.
Meesters stays in close to Valentino's body and controls the position.

Valentino looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Meesters passes into half guard.
Meesters sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Meesters has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentino tries to kick Meesters off but Meesters keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Meesters perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

We're going to have a standup here because Bart Meesters wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Valentino is looking to clinch but Meesters is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentino pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Valentino closes the distance but Meesters moves to the side

and Meesters decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Valentino's guard.
Meesters is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Valentino throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Meesters sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Valentino had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Meesters defends it easily.
Meesters working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valentino is looking for a triangle here but Meesters uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Meesters controls the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Valentino is looking for a sweep.
Valentino is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Meesters is controlling him well.

Meesters is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Valentino has escaped the position, nice work there.
Valentino tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Meesters wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Valentino, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bart Meesters dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Valentino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Valentino tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Meesters counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Valentino!

Meesters wants to finish this one by submission but Valentino is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Meesters.
Meesters sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Valentino keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Meesters sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Meesters's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentino regains half guard.
Bart Meesters overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Valentino is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Valentino is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Meesters pulls his head out easily.
Valentino tries to kick Meesters off but Meesters keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Meesters not doing much here.
Meesters seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Valentino for as long as he can get away with.

Valentino looking for submissions off his back.
Valentino wants to get back to full guard.
Meesters is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valentino looking for submissions off his back.
Meesters controlling the pace.

Valentino looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Meesters is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Valentino is trying to get back to full guard.
Meesters stops Valentino from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meesters controlling the action here.

We're going to have a standup here because Bart Meesters wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Meesters scores with a takedown into Valentino's guard.
Meesters trying to control but Valentino is working from the bottom.

Meesters thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Valentino has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Meesters can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Valentino is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meesters sitting in guard here, content to control.

Valentino is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Valentino working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Meesters doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Meesters manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Valentino is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Meesters sitting in guard, not really doing much.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Valentino looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Meesters slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bart Meesters dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Meesters avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Valentino is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Meesters fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Valentino to the ground. Meesters is now in Valentino's guard.
Meesters slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Valentino is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Meesters asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Valentino tries to buck Meesters off but Meesters is having none of it.
Meesters trying to control the position but Valentino is working away.
Valentino is being controlled here.
Valentino is trying to buck Meesters off.
Valentino tries to buck Meesters off but Meesters is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentino pushes Meesters away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Meesters gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Valentino trying to remain calm as Meesters controls from the top position.
Valentino tries to improve position but can't.
Valentino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Meesters tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Valentino is trying to improve his position.
Meesters in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Valentino is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meesters controlling the action here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Valentino is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Meesters pulls his head out easily.

Meesters is looking for a kimura but Valentino is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Meesters to get the leverage.
Meesters controlling the action here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Meesters prevents Valentino from standing back up.

Valentino looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Meesters is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valentino looking for submissions off his back.
Meesters is controlling the pace.

Valentino actively working from the bottom here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Meesters in particular looking to stall.
Valentino tries to kick Meesters off but Meesters keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentino gets back to full guard.

Valentino escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Meesters gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Meesters looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bart Meesters has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Valentino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Meesters paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bart Meesters clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Valentino tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Meesters manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Valentino scores with a kick to the midsection.
Valentino tries to clinch up

and Meesters counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Meesters slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Meesters pushes down on Valentino's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Meesters looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Valentino pushes Meesters off but Meesters dives into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentino tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Valentino's face as Meesters controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentino wants to get back to his feet.
Valentino tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Meesters just content to control the position.
Valentino is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Meesters has just dragged him back down to the mat.

We're going to have a standup here because Bart Meesters wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Valentino throws a sloppy head kick and Meesters moves out of range easily.
Valentino tries to clinch

and Meesters counters with a shoot takedown. Valentino fights it but they end up in guard.
Valentino is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Valentino had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Meesters defends it easily.
Meesters looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Valentino has his foot on Meesters's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Meesters works his way back into a safe position though.
Meesters slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Meesters tries to free his leg and advance position but Valentino is retaining full guard.

Valentino has his foot on Meesters's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Meesters works his way back into a safe position though.
Meesters showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Valentino looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Meesters has picked Valentino up and slammed him! Valentino can't keep hold of the triangle and Meesters manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Meesters looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Valentino is looking to reverse the position.
A lull in the action here.
Valentino tries to improve position but can't.
Valentino sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Valentino scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Meesters manages to mount him!
Meesters looking to finish Valentino with some ground and pound. This is bad for Valentino!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meesters lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Valentino hang on?
Valentino is looking to improve his position but Meesters isn't that keen on the idea.
Meesters content just to control the position here.
Valentino has given up his back here. Will Meesters look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Meesters controls the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
You can see the frustration on Valentino's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Meesters looking for the choke from the back.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bart Meesters had his way with James Valentino in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Valentino pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Meesters shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Valentino keeping moving, preventing Meesters from controlling successfully.

Valentino had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Meesters defends it easily.
Valentino bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Meesters's guard.
Meesters wants to stand but Valentino is controlling the position.
Meesters looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Valentino postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Meesters is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Valentino, into his guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Valentino is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Meesters defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meesters trying to control but Valentino is working from the bottom.
Meesters's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Valentino throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Meesters controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Valentino pushes a forearm under Meesters's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Meesters is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Valentino!
James Valentino seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.