PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Radev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Valentine
vs
Radev

185 cm
35
193 lbs
43 - 17 - 0

184 cm
28
190 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Reaper Combatwear
Conquer

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 43 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Valentine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikolai Radev!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentine throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Radev throws a push kick but Valentine slaps the foot to one side.
Radev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Radev throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Radev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Valentine dips to his left and cracks Radev with an uppercut!
An inside leg kick lands from Radev.
Valentine throws a hook but Radev blocks it.
Valentine scoring well with a low kick there.
Radev misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valentine swings for the body but Radev moves out of range.
Radev throws an overhand right that lands on Valentine's shoulder, as Valentine tries to avoid the shot.
Valentine misses with a hook. Radev ducked under it nicely.
Radev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Valentine chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Radev can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine throws a leg kick that misses.
Valentine avoids a kick to the body.
Valentine throws a nice outside leg kick.
Valentine swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Radev has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Radev ducks under a wild hook from Valentine.
Radev throws the kick towards the body but Valentine avoids it.
Alexander Valentine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Radev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Valentine misses with a hook. Radev ducked under it nicely.
Valentine looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Valentine misses with a low kick.
Valentine throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Radev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Valentine looking for a guillotine here but Radev defends easily.
Radev won't allow Valentine to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Radev trying to control the position from guard on top but Valentine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Valentine is looking for a triangle here but Radev uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Radev trying to control the action but Valentine is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Radev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Radev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Valentine won't allow Radev to pass to mount.
Valentine wants to control but Radev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Radev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine wants to improve his position but Radev is controlling well.
Valentine works his way to full guard. Good work.

Valentine is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Radev wants to control from the top but Valentine keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Valentine is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Radev defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Valentine will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Radev blocks the body kick.
Radev throws a body shot but no joy.
Donk. Valentine catches Radev right on the button with a cross.
Valentine stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Radev looking to score a takedown here. Valentine is defending well but Radev drives through and ends up in Valentine's guard.
Radev trying to control the position from guard on top but Valentine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Radev throws a big right hand that misses.
Valentine looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Radev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valentine looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Radev has picked Valentine up and slammed him! Valentine can't keep hold of the triangle and Radev manages to pass to side control!
Nikolai Radev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valentine prevents Radev from moving into mount.
Valentine avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Radev.
Radev trying to control the position but Valentine is working away.
Radev controlling from side mount.
Radev working the ground and pound from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine regains half guard, as Radev was trying to land strikes.
Valentine avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Radev.
Valentine is in trouble now - Radev has advanced to mount!
Valentine working to try and regain half guard.
Valentine is working hard here to advance position.
Radev content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Valentine's face.
Radev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Valentine is looking to escape.
Valentine is looking to improve his position but Radev isn't that keen on the idea.
Radev lands a couple of good shots and Valentine has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine can't escape the position.
Radev is landing with strikes from the back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Radev cracks Valentine with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Valentine from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Valentine is really stuck here.
Valentine rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Valentine wants to improve his position but Radev is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Radev is trying to control the action in half guard but Valentine is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Radev stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Radev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Radev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Valentine fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Valentine shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Radev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Valentine has his foot on Radev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Radev works his way back into a safe position though.

Valentine is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Valentine keeping moving, preventing Radev from controlling successfully.
Valentine controls Radev momentarily but Radev frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev works over Valentine with some ground and pound from guard.

Valentine is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Radev preventing the sweep.
Radev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Valentine's guard.
Valentine tries to get to full guard but Radev has control of the leg.
Radev is trying to control the action in half guard but Valentine is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev is looking to stall here but Valentine recovers full guard.
Radev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Radev advances to half guard.
Radev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Radev trying to control the action but Valentine is working from the bottom.
Radev content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Valentine makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Valentine.

Radev stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Valentine has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Radev manages to get his head free but now Valentine has transitioned to an armbar! Radev grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Valentine! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alexander Valentine!
Alexander Valentine looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'In a career full of ups and downs, this win , hopefully, is the start of something amazing! '.