PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Valdivia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demyan Arkhipov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arkhipov has chosen Vitas - The Star as his entrance music. Demyan Arkhipov acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Valdivia
vs
Arkhipov

191 cm
20
257 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

194 cm
24
241 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jorge Valdivia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Demyan Arkhipov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdivia bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Arkhipov tries for a takedown but Valdivia sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Valdivia throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Valdivia lets loose with a powerful body kick. Arkhipov will feel that in the morning.
Valdivia displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Arkhipov.
Arkhipov looks gassed!
Arkhipov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Valdivia avoids it really well and circles away.
Jorge Valdivia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demyan Arkhipov.
Valdivia shoots in for a takedown but Arkhipov shows good takedown defense.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Valdivia.

Arkhipov gets caught flat footed, as Valdivia shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Arkhipov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Valdivia stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Arkhipov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdivia trying to control the position from guard on top but Arkhipov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Valdivia throwing strikes from guard but Arkhipov blocks nicely.

Valdivia gets to his feet. Arkhipov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Arkhipov circles away from the clinch attempt.

Valdivia shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Arkhipov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Valdivia would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Valdivia is in close to Arkhipov's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdivia is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Valdivia seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Arkhipov for as long as he can get away with.
Valdivia wants to get up but he can't break Arkhipov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Arkhipov wants to sweep but no luck.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Arkhipov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Valdivia slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Valdivia stands and throws Arkhipov's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdivia in side control lands a decent elbow.
Valdivia wants to lay and pray for a moment but Arkhipov keeps working.
Arkhipov is looking to regain half guard here but Valdivia keeps moving and retains side control.
Arkhipov is trying to control Valdivia's posture but Valdivia avoids it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Arkhipov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Valdivia trying to control the position but Arkhipov is working away.
Check out the look on Valdivia's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Arkhipov is letting Valdivia control him for a moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Arkhipov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Valdivia counters with a head kick.
Arkhipov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Valdivia counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Valdivia 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.

Arkhipov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valdivia is aware though and is defending well.
Valdivia trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Arkhipov keeping moving, preventing Valdivia from controlling successfully.
Arkhipov wants to get back to his feet but Valdivia is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Valdivia dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Valdivia misses with a takedown

and Arkhipov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Valdivia's guard.
Valdivia working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Arkhipov.
Valdivia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Arkhipov wants to pass the guard but Valdivia is keeping the position.
Valdivia is controlling Arkhipov's posture.
Valdivia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Arkhipov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Arkhipov thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valdivia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Arkhipov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Arkhipov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Arkhipov postures up and lands a big shot to Valdivia's brow.
Arkhipov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Valdivia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Arkhipov stays in close to Valdivia's body and controls the position.
Valdivia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Arkhipov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Valdivia is proving hard to escape from.
Valdivia is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Arkhipov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valdivia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Arkhipov gets to his feet - Valdivia follows without any prompting.
Arkhipov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Valdivia bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Arkhipov can't do much from the bottom here.
Arkhipov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Valdivia off and has taken his back!
Arkhipov not allowing Valdivia to control his hands.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
I really don't envy Valdivia right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkhipov lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Valdivia.
Arkhipov landing with strikes.
Arkhipov scores with punches and elbows.
Valdivia covers up after that shot from Arkhipov.
Arkhipov connects with a big shot to the side of Valdivia's head.
Valdivia trying to control the hands but Arkhipov won't let him.
Valdivia wants to get back to his feet.

That's four 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.
Valdivia is trying to break free.
Arkhipov has Valdivia flattened out and is raining down punches.
Valdivia looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Arkhipov scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Valdivia is looking for a way out.

Valdivia preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Arkhipov.
Arkhipov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Valdivia could be in trouble here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demyan Arkhipov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Valdivia napping and manages to drive through into side control!
What's Valdivia going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Valdivia is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Arkhipov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Valdivia pushes Arkhipov off looking to stand but Arkhipov dives back in and keeps control.
Valdivia won't allow Arkhipov to pass to mount.
Valdivia trying to hold on to Arkhipov's head to control him but Arkhipov postures up.
Arkhipov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkhipov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arkhipov wants to stand up but Valdivia has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Arkhipov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valdivia keeps working.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Arkhipov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Valdivia counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Valdivia.
Arkhipov tries to strike from the bottom.
Arkhipov looking for a sweep. Not yet Arkhipov, not yet.
Arkhipov pulls Valdivia in to control the position.
Arkhipov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdivia trying to control but Arkhipov is working from the bottom.
Arkhipov 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.
Valdivia is looking to advance position but Arkhipov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Arkhipov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Arkhipov breaks from Valdivia's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Valdivia wants to control but Arkhipov is having none of it.
Arkhipov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdivia in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Valdivia working to try and regain half guard.
Valdivia is bucking up trying to escape but Arkhipov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Valdivia tries to hold on but Arkhipov pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Arkhipov.
BOOM! Arkhipov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Valdivia is working to get back to half guard.
Arkhipov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Arkhipov dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Valdivia is trying to escape the mount.
Arkhipov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Arkhipov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Valdivia is looking to get to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Arkhipov.
Arkhipov lands a big shot there that rocks Valdivia but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Arkhipov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Valdivia tries to hold on but Arkhipov postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Demyan Arkhipov.
I think Arkhipov 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Demyan Arkhipov!