PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sidney Garcia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edwin Valero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edwin Valero has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Sidney Garcia's chin.

Garcia
vs
Valero

206 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

168 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sidney Garcia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edwin Valero!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Emerson Jorge and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garcia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valero.
A head kick misses from Valero.
Valero wants to clinch.

Valero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Garcia, pushing him back against the cage.
Garcia has had enough of the clinch but Valero keeps him there for the moment.

Garcia breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Garcia gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Valero to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Valero stands up and waves to Garcia to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valero blocks a low kick nicely.

Valero closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Garcia did well to prevent Valero getting side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valero trying to control the pace.
Garcia is trying to control but can't.
Still in half guard, Valero seems content to control.

Garcia looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valero.
Valero thows a huge punch but Garcia dodges it nicely.

Valero stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Valero closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Garcia quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valero passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valero controlling the position easily from mount.
Valero's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Garcia avoids a series of strikes thrown by Valero.
Valero throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Garcia because Valero loaded up on that one.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valero tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
It looks like Valero might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edwin Valero dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Valero misses with a wild body shot.

Valero looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Valero passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Garcia!
Valero trying to control but Garcia is having none of it.
Valero has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valero controlling from the full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valero goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Garcia is on top in guard.
Valero is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Garcia would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Valero trying to control the position here.
Valero is trying to keep Garcia in close.
Valero is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Garcia really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valero has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Garcia off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The fight stays on the outside here - Garcia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Garcia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Valero has managed to clinch.

Garcia breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valero tries to clinch up.

Valero scores with a takedown into Garcia's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Valero is stalling in the full guard.

Valero decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Garcia, up you get!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A clash of legs there as Valero blocks the low kick.
Valero follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Valero tries to clinch up but Garcia circles away and keeps his distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edwin Valero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Garcia gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Edwin Valero has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Valero preventing the sweep.
Valero showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Valero slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valero decides to stand back up. Valero steps back and let's Garcia get back to his feet.

Valero moves into the clinch.

Valero tightens his grip and picks Garcia up, before dumping him to the ground. Garcia manages to land in guard.
Garcia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Valero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Garcia throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Valero trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Garcia manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Valero pushes Garcia off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valero misses with a body kick.
Garcia changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Valero shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Garcia manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Garcia has a closed guard, preventing Valero from standing up.
Valero won't allow Garcia to sweep him here.
Garcia keeping full guard, as Valero tries to pass.
Valero engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valero slips nicely into half guard.
Garcia avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valero.

Valero stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Garcia changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Valero tries to avoid it but Garcia manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Valero to the ground. Valero escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Garcia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Valero's waist but Valero gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Garcia off to one side.

Valero clinches up against the cage.
Valero keeps control of Garcia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Valero tries to circle away but Garcia has him pinned against the cage.
Valero working hard to break the clinch.
Valero is looking to break free of the clinch but Garcia has double underhooks.

Valero jumps guard.
Valero 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.
Valero has his hands on Garcia's head, controlling the position.
Sidney Garcia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Edwin Valero is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valero looking to hit a scissor sweep but Garcia is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edwin Valero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Valero has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 26:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 26:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Edwin Valero!