PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Takashi Katsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregg Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valentine has chosen Downtown Swinga 96 by MOP as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Gregg Valentine will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Katsumoto
vs
Valentine

170 cm
25
175 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

189 cm
30
180 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Firebird Designs
Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takashi Katsumoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gregg Valentine!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Eddie Farnsworth and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentine misses with an uppercut. Katsumoto saw that one coming.
Katsumoto looks to throw a body kick
and Valentine counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Valentine on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Katsumoto. Katsumoto obviously looking to wear him down.
Katsumoto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Katsumoto throws a head kick but Valentine moves out of range.

Valentine scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Valentine goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Katsumoto rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Valentine's guard! Nice work there by Katsumoto!
Katsumoto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Katsumoto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Katsumoto in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Katsumoto throws an elbow that misses. Valentine uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Katsumoto's guard. Nice move by Valentine!
Valentine chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsumoto controls Valentine momentarily but Valentine frees himself.
Valentine looking to pass the guard.
Katsumoto throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Katsumoto is striking off his back. Valentine thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Valentine is looking to take a break and control but Katsumoto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valentine has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Valentine avoids the attempt from Katsumoto to control.
Katsumoto working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Valentine looking to control and managing it successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Valentine trying to control but Katsumoto is having none of it.
Katsumoto is looking to improve his position but Valentine isn't that keen on the idea.
Katsumoto is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Valentine wants to control the pace but Katsumoto is squirming around nicely.
Valentine prevents Katsumoto from getting the reversal.
Valentine controlling his opponent.
Valentine lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto gives up his back whilst trying to strike.
Katsumoto covers up after that shot from Valentine.
You can see the frustration on Katsumoto's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
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!

Valentine looking to break Katsumoto's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Katsumoto remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Valentine will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Valentine is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Katsumoto is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregg Valentine dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Katsumoto avoids the body shot from Valentine.
Valentine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Valentine chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Katsumoto can pounce on him.
Katsumoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Katsumoto throws a solid leg kick but Valentine takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Katsumoto.
Gregg Valentine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Katsumoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Katsumoto throws a leg kick but Valentine checks it.
Valentine checks a leg kick.
Valentine ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Katsumoto moves away.
Katsumoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Katsumoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Valentine's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Katsumoto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Valentine scrambles back to his feet.
Katsumoto throws a hook to the side of Valentine's head but Valentine sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsumoto lands a high kick!
Valentine misses with a body shot.
Valentine takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Valentine misses with the combination.
A slapping body kick lands there for Valentine.
Valentine with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Valentine moves out of range as Katsumoto throws a body kick.
Valentine thows a left - swing and a miss!
Katsumoto tries to clinch up but Valentine circles away and keeps his distance.
A decent looking cross lands there for Valentine.
Katsumoto throws a sloppy head kick and Valentine moves out of range easily.
Valentine lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Katsumoto backs up against the cage.
Katsumoto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Katsumoto connects with a leg kick. Valentine looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Valentine takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Katsumoto lands with a nice body kick.
Katsumoto jabs Valentine right on the nose. Valentine blinks but takes it well.
Valentine swats away the attempt to clinch by Katsumoto.
Katsumoto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Valentine connects with a body shot.
Katsumoto loads up on a big right hand but Valentine slips the punch.
Valentine throws out a leg kick but Katsumoto moves out of range and Valentine only half commits.
Katsumoto goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Katsumoto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Valentine.
Katsumoto misses with a straight right.
A solid body kick from Valentine.
Katsumoto has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Valentine finds it's way round the side to connect with Katsumoto's head.
Katsumoto looks to land a body kick but Valentine moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine looks to score with a jab to the body but Katsumoto is just out of range.
A lazy body kick from Valentine
enabling Katsumoto to counter with a crisp jab.
Valentine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takashi Katsumoto is winning the standup battle so far.
Valentine tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Katsumoto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Katsumoto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
An inside leg kick from Katsumoto misses.
Katsumoto with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Valentine to score with a decent uppercut.
Valentine is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Katsumoto rather than just go for the knockout.
Katsumoto checks a low kick from Valentine.
Katsumoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Katsumoto throws a body kick that misses.
Katsumoto throws a leg kick but Valentine sees it coming and moves out of range.
Valentine lands with a nice body punch.
Katsumoto goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Valentine bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Good leg kick by Katsumoto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine connects with a crisp jab.
Valentine feints and then cracks Katsumoto's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Katsumoto down.
Valentine throws a hook to the side of Katsumoto's head but Katsumoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentine misses the shot to the body.
Valentine scores with a nice body kick.
Valentine feints and then cracks Katsumoto's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Katsumoto down.
Katsumoto connects with a right hand. Valentine shakes it off.
Valentine throws a wild body kick that Katsumoto sees coming a mile off.
A left lands for Katsumoto.
Katsumoto takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice cross by Valentine.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valentine throws a head kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Katsumoto.
Katsumoto throws a lazy head kick
letting Valentine counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gregg Valentine will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Valentine checks a leg kick nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Valentine. Those never looked like landing.
Valentine moves into range and connects with a jab.
Valentine throws a big shot that misses.
Katsumoto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Good shot there by Valentine.
Valentine fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Katsumoto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Valentine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Katsumoto manages to avoid it.
Valentine avoids the head kick by Katsumoto.
Valentine lands with a straight right. Katsumoto didn't see that one coming.
Valentine lands a jab to the nose.
Valentine changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Valentine is defended easily by Katsumoto.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentine scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsumoto misses with a leg kick
and Valentine counters with an outside leg kick.
Katsumoto tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Valentine blocks a head kick by Katsumoto.
Valentine lands a nice shot to the body.
Katsumoto tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Valentine counters with a nice uppercut.
Good leg kick by Katsumoto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Valentine has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Katsumoto lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Valentine has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Valentine and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Katsumoto misses with a body kick.
Katsumoto tries to land a front kick but Valentine steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Valentine is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Katsumoto misses with an uppercut. Valentine saw that one coming.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Katsumoto checks it.
Katsumoto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Valentine is out of range.
Valentine ducks under a wild hook from Katsumoto.
Valentine checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Valentine misses with a looping right.
Valentine with a jab.
Valentine checks a low kick from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Katsumoto misses with a body kick.
Valentine jabs at Katsumoto's body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice cross by Katsumoto.
Katsumoto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Valentine.
Valentine just misses with a punch to the body.
Katsumoto checks a leg kick.
Valentine with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
An inside leg kick lands from Valentine.
Valentine scores with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine defending well as Katsumoto loads up on a big left hand.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Katsumoto, right into the meat.
A bone on bone clash there as Katsumoto blocks the leg kick.
Valentine moves out of range of the strikes.
Valentine ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Katsumoto moves away.
Katsumoto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Katsumoto tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Katsumoto attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Good work by Valentine as he checks the leg kick.
Valentine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Katsumoto manages to avoid it.
Katsumoto throws a big shot that misses.
Crunch! Valentine slams his shin into Katsumoto's torso.
Katsumoto tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Katsumoto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Valentine is able to avoid easily.
Valentine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Katsumoto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valentine's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Katsumoto tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Katsumoto checks it.
Katsumoto throws a jab when Valentine was well out of range.
Katsumoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Valentine lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Valentine lands with a nice body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valentine tried to score with a low kick but Katsumoto checks it.
Katsumoto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Valentine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice cross by Valentine.
Katsumoto throws the kick towards the body but Valentine avoids it.
Valentine with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Valentine lets loose with a powerful body kick. Katsumoto will feel that in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregg Valentine really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice defenses there by Valentine.
Katsumoto feints and then cracks Valentine's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Valentine down.
Katsumoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Valentine.
Valentine throws a shot from downtown. Katsumoto moves away and avoids it.
Katsumoto takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice body kick there by Valentine.

Valentine forces Katsumoto back against the cage and clinches.
Katsumoto throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Valentine blocks it with crossed arms.

Valentine escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Valentine checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Katsumoto misses with a head kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Valentine.
Katsumoto looks for the body kick but Valentine saw that one coming.
Katsumoto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Valentine is able to avoid easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Valentine. Katsumoto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valentine throws a leg kick that misses.
Valentine swings for the body but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Katsumoto misses with a low kick.
Valentine moves out of range of the body kick from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

Katsumoto clinches up with Valentine and pushes him back against the cage.
Valentine wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Katsumoto creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Valentine throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Katsumotos head.
Katsumoto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Valentine breaks the clinch.
Valentine swings for the body but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Valentine scores with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Katsumoto checks it.
Valentine lands with an overhand left.
Katsumoto throws out a loose jab but Valentine uses good head movement to avoid it.
Katsumoto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Katsumoto tries a low kick but Valentine avoids it.
Katsumoto throws a half hearted mid kick.
Valentine swats away the attempt to clinch by Katsumoto.
Valentine throws the left hand but Katsumoto avoids the punch easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice straight punches there by Katsumoto. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Katsumoto.
Katsumoto feints and then cracks Valentine's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Valentine down.
Katsumoto takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Valentine shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Katsumoto pinned against the cage. Katsumoto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto is looking to clinch but Valentine is avoiding it.
Valentine connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Katsumoto checks a low kick from Valentine.
Valentine takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Valentine throws a head kick but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Katsumoto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Katsumoto wants it to stay on the feet.
Valentine lands with a shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Valentine.
No joy there for Valentine, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Katsumoto throws a head kick but Valentine moves out of range.

Katsumoto gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Valentine scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto displaying some good clinch control by pressing Valentine up against the cage.
Katsumoto creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Valentine avoids the elbow strike from Katsumoto, against the cage.
Katsumoto missing with knees to the body.
Valentine avoids the elbow strike from Katsumoto, against the cage.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Katsumoto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregg Valentine dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Katsumoto throws a push kick but Valentine slaps the foot to one side.
Valentine throws a solid leg kick but Katsumoto takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Valentine.
Valentine misses with a wild body shot.
Valentine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Katsumoto ducks under a wild hook from Valentine.
Valentine checks a leg kick nicely.
Katsumoto throws a sloppy head kick and Valentine moves out of range easily.
Nice defenses there by Katsumoto.
Katsumoto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Katsumoto lands with an uppercut that bounces Valentine off the cage and back into range.
Katsumoto tries to clinch but Valentine is having none of it.
Jab from Valentine.
Katsumoto lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Katsumoto misses with an uppercut. Valentine saw that one coming.
Valentine is looking to chop away at Katsumoto's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick by Katsumoto misses
and Valentine counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Katsumoto thinking.
Katsumoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Katsumoto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Valentine blocks the low kick.
Katsumoto misses with a low kick.
Valentine keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Valentine ducks under a wild hook from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto throws a sloppy head kick and Valentine moves out of range easily.
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.
Katsumoto lands a leg kick that knocks Valentine off balance momentarily.
Katsumoto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Valentine checks it well.
Katsumoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valentine manages to avoid it.
Valentine lands the left hand.
Katsumoto throws a sloppy head kick and Valentine moves out of range easily.
Valentine lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine slips a jab from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto throws a leg kick that misses.
Katsumoto misses with a hook
and Katsumoto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Katsumoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valentine.
Katsumoto throws a front kick aimed at Valentine's knee but Valentine avoids it well.
Katsumoto takes one to the side of the head.
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!
Valentine throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Valentine moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Katsumoto misses its intended target.
Katsumoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from Katsumoto misses.
Katsumoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valentine.
A bone on bone clash there as Katsumoto blocks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Valentine finds it's way round the side to connect with Katsumoto's head.
Valentine slips under a jab from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Valentine is looking to chop away at Katsumoto's legs.
Valentine throws a body punch but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Katsumoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Katsumoto avoids a kick to the body.
Gregg Valentine is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Valentine bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Katsumoto's head.
Katsumoto looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Valentine moves out of range of the body kick.
Katsumoto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Takashi Katsumoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A jab from Katsumoto misses.
Valentine connects with a nice looking jab.
Katsumoto throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Katsumoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine blocks a head kick by Katsumoto.

Katsumoto clinches up with Valentine and pushes him back against the cage.
Katsumoto lands a nice elbow.
Valentine lands a shoulder strike.
Katsumoto tries to land knees in the clinch but Valentine avoids the damage to the body.
Katsumoto throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Katsumoto pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Katsumoto is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Valentine is defending well for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valentine blocks an elbow strike.
Katsumoto misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Takashi Katsumoto.
I think Valentine 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 46:50
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gregg Valentine!
Gregg Valentine is the new welterweight champion!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Gregg Valentine made sure he mentioned Firebird Designs, along with how happy he was to win his fight.