PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jeffrey Combs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Valedaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benjamin Valedaz will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Combs
vs
Valedaz

208 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jeffrey Combs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Benjamin Valedaz!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Valedaz drives through and clinches with Combs against the cage.
Combs is trying to push Valedaz away but Valedaz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Combs pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Valedaz closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Combs quickly recovers to half guard.
Combs tries to roll over but Valedaz keeps him under control.
Combs is working hard here to advance position.

Valedaz is working for a submission of some sort.
Combs wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valedaz stands up from half guard.

Valedaz looking to score a takedown here. Combs is defending well but Valedaz drives through and ends up in Combs's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Combs manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Valedaz manages to get himself to full guard.

Valedaz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Combs postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Valedaz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Combs.
Combs is working Valedaz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Valedaz trying to keep a closed guard but Combs is proving a slippery customer.
Valedaz has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Combs has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Combs tries to score with some ground and pound. Valedaz controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
You can see the frustration on Valedaz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Combs cracks Valedaz with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Valedaz tries to buck Combs off but Combs is having none of it.
Combs working the ground and pound.
Combs working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Valedaz manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Combs blocking the ground and pound attempt from Valedaz.

Combs looking for submissions off his back.
Valedaz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Combs does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Combs blocking the ground and pound attempt from Valedaz.
Valedaz slips a nice elbow through Combs's hands, connecting with Combs's forehead.
Combs wants to control but Valedaz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Valedaz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Combs trying to control here.
Combs is trying to get back to full guard.
Valedaz seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valedaz is working for a kimura but Combs is defending it quite comfortably.

Valedaz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Valedaz seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are battling for position here. Combs manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Benjamin Valedaz will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Combs's corner calls for a 1-2. Combs obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Combs works over Valedaz's head and body with a nice combination.

Valedaz gets tackled into the cage by Combs. Combs maintains the clinch.
Valedaz tries to stall but Combs uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Valedaz jumps guard but Combs stands there with Valedaz around his waist. Valedaz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Combs breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Valedaz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valedaz lands a body shot.
Combs misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valedaz rushes Combs and presses him up against the cage.

Valedaz gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Valedaz trying to control but Combs is working from the bottom.
Combs looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Benjamin Valedaz has got the better of the ground game so far.

Combs is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valedaz is aware though and is defending well.
Combs wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valedaz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Valedaz trying to control from half guard but Combs is working away.
Valedaz wants to pass to mount but Combs is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Combs tries to get to full guard but Valedaz has control of the leg.

Valedaz is working for a kimura but Combs is defending it quite comfortably.
Valedaz throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Combs to regain full guard.
Combs throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Valedaz controls from within his opponent's guard.
Combs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Valedaz is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Combs has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Valedaz has passed into side control.
Combs manages to work his way to half guard, despite Valedaz's best efforts.
Combs is not content to let Valedaz control the position.
Combs tries to get to full guard but Valedaz has control of the leg.
Valedaz wants to control but Combs is keeping him busy.
Valedaz passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Combs can't escape the position.
Valedaz landing punches.
Combs tries to reverse the position but Valedaz maintains control.
Valedaz tries to control but Combs wriggling away.
Combs slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Valedaz is pressing down on Combs's thigh, looking to free his foot. Combs is holding on for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valedaz perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Valedaz passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Valedaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Combs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Combs dives in and grabs Valedaz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Valedaz pushes down on Combs's head and hops out.
Valedaz scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Valedaz fails with the takedown
and Combs counters with a head kick.

Valedaz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Combs looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Combs is looking for a sweep.
Combs manages to get back to half guard.
Valedaz prevents Combs from improving his position.
Valedaz is keen to just control but Combs is a slippery customer.
Combs is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valedaz trying to control the action but Combs is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Combs gets back to full guard.
Combs 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.
Valedaz wants to control from the top but Combs keeps moving.

Valedaz decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Combs, up you get!
A looping hook to the body misses from Combs. Valedaz does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two 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.
Valedaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Combs as he jumps to the side.

Valedaz throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Combs was covering up waiting for the punch and Valedaz finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Valedaz lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Valedaz wants to control from the top but Combs keeps moving.
Valedaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Combs swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Combs will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valedaz stopping the sweep attempt from Combs.

Combs working for a triangle but Valedaz defends it easily.

Valedaz stands up and waves to Combs to follow him.
Valedaz shoots in looking for a takedown. Combs tries to sprawl out of it but Valedaz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Combs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Combs seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Jeffrey Combs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Valedaz.
Combs shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Valedaz pinned against the cage. Valedaz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jeffrey Combs is winning the standup battle so far.

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.
Combs pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And Valedaz tries to counter it with a takedown but Combs pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Valedaz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Horrible takedown attempt by Combs or perhaps it was just good defense by Valedaz, which made it look bad.
Valedaz unleashes a big counter combination but Combs bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Valedaz throws a head kick that Combs semi-blocks.
Jeffrey Combs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benjamin Valedaz 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.

Combs gets tackled into the cage by Valedaz. Valedaz maintains the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benjamin Valedaz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Valedaz 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Valedaz!