PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Hazlehurst (ranked 3114 p4p, 335 weight class) and Gilbert Valur (ranked 20306 p4p, 535 weight class). Hazlehurst comes into the arena with Queen - One Vision blaring out of the sound system. Valur is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by David Bowie - Let's Dance. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hazlehurst
vs
Valur

183 cm
23
202 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

186 cm
32
185 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Urban Fighter

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Hazlehurst!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gilbert Valur!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Valur pushes Hazlehurst off and scrambles back to his feet.

Hazlehurst is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Valur's half guard.

Valur kicks Hazlehurst off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valur goes for a double leg but Hazlehurst avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hazlehurst continues to drive forward.

Hazlehurst drives through with a takedown into Valur's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hazlehurst is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Valur is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Valur bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hazlehurst's guard.

Hazlehurst controls Valur momentarily but Valur frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valur accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valur slips nicely into half guard.
Hazlehurst is controlling Valur's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Valur missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hazlehurst avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valur.
Valur trying to control the action but Hazlehurst is working from the bottom.
Hazlehurst has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hazlehurst is pressing down on Valur's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Valur won't allow Hazlehurst to sweep him here.
Valur postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hazlehurst lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hazlehurst with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valur has his feet on Hazlehurst's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Valur shoots in looking for a takedown. Hazlehurst tries to sprawl out of it but Valur keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hazlehurst manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hazlehurst feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
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!

Valur looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Valur keeping full guard, as Hazlehurst tries to pass.
Hazlehurst connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hazlehurst's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hazlehurst is in close to Valur's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Valur is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Valur not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst scoring with punches to the head and body.
Valur has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hazlehurst makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Valur throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Hazlehurst lands a couple of elbows.

Valur is rocked!
Hazlehurst chips away with some ground and pound.
Valur is still in real trouble! Can Hazlehurst finish him?
Hazlehurst loads up on a big left hand. Valur felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Hazlehurst looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Valur can't hide his disappointment, as Hazlehurst celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Daniel Hazlehurst!