PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Galaxy Nexus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlinhos Valente (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valente comes into a darkened arena with his song building. "We Dem Boyz" by Wiz Khalifa kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Carlinhos Valente is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Nexus
vs
Valente

182 cm
35
164 lbs
32 - 12 - 1

172 cm
34
155 lbs
17 - 7 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

King of Fists

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Galaxy Nexus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlinhos Valente!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valente throws a hook but Nexus avoids it easily.
Nexus half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've been hearing reports that Nexus has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Valente throws a hook but Nexus avoids it easily.
Valente lands a jab.
Valente smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Valente tests Nexus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Valente plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Galaxy Nexus has been cut.
Nexus slips under a jab.
Nexus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valente lands with a cross.
Valente clobbers Nexus with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Valente misses the shot to the body.
Nexus misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Valente counters with a nice low kick that buckles Nexus's knee momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nexus takes a swing at Valente's ribcage but misses.
Nexus thows a left - swing and a miss!
Valente has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Nexus is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Carlinhos Valente seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valente slips under a jab from Nexus.
Valente throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valente dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nexus. That did some damage!
Valente dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nexus is trying hard to land a takedown here. Valente sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Valente. Nexus does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nexus wants to slow Valente down by chopping away at his legs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Valente. That's going to slow Nexus down.
Valente uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nexus.
Valente throws out a loose jab but Nexus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nexus moves away from the strike by Valente.

Nexus closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Valente's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valente is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Nexus with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nexus showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nexus wants to control from the top but Valente keeps moving.
Valente is trying to control the position but Nexus postures up.
Valente looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Crunch! Nexus slams his shin into Valente's torso.
Nice body kick from Valente.
Valente works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valente throws out a loose jab but Nexus uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Nexus on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Valente throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little feinted left hand from Nexus on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nexus swings for the body but Valente moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nexus pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valente throws a chopping leg kick but Nexus manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nexus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nexus fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Valente is out of range.
Valente connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nexus. Nexus circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Valente throws a jab when Nexus was well out of range.
Nexus digs a good body shot into Valente's ribs.
Valente checks a low kick from Nexus.
Valente avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Valente scores with a leg kick.
Valente throws a leg kick which misses Nexus's front leg but catches the back leg as Nexus tries to avoid it.
Nexus scores with a hook to the body. Valente takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Valente throws an off balance right hand
letting Nexus counter with a right hand.
Nexus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Valente looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nexus is looking to wear down Valente with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nexus closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nexus.
Valente looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nexus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nexus uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Valente.
A big left from Nexus misses.
Nexus slips a straight right by Valente.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nexus darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nexus throws a head kick but Valente moves out of range.
Valente counters with a body kick.
Valente lands a lovely overhand right.
Valente swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nexus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Valente flicks out a counter leg kick but Nexus steps away.
Valente is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Nexus had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Valente dips to his left and cracks Nexus with an uppercut!
A combination from Valente does no damage.
Nexus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Valente sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nexus somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Galaxy Nexus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valente lands with a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlinhos Valente dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Galaxy Nexus's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nexus changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Valente lands with a right hand.

Valente has Nexus up against the cage in a clinch.
Nexus stalling in the clinch but Valente improves position.
Valente pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Valente blocks an uppercut.
Nexus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nexus as Valente tries to tie him up.
Nexus misses with the head strike.

Nexus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valente keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valente takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

It looks like Carlinhos Valente has been cut.
Valente throws a shot from downtown. Nexus moves away and avoids it.
Nexus comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Valente scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nexus blocks a jab.
Nexus looks for a takedown but Valente sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valente moves into range and connects with a jab.
Valente scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Valente gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Valente lands an uppercut.
Valente misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Nexus.
Valente misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Valente blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Valente blocks a body shot from Nexus.
Nexus misses with some punches.
Nexus takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Valente.
Nexus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Valente has him pressed against the cage.
Nexus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Valente stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valente lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nexus backwards.
Valente misses with a short punch on the inside.
Valente stalls.
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!
Nexus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Valente content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nexus lands a shoulder strike.
Nexus can't break the clinch.
Nexus dodges an elbow strike from Valente.
Valente throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nexus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nexus misses with a punch on the inside.
Nexus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nexus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nexus swings wildly with an uppercut but Valente uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot in the inside from Nexus.
Nexus misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nexus tries to throw a body punch but Valente avoids it by throwing Nexus back against the cage.
Nexus can't find room to land a body shot as Valente controls the action.
Valente tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valente misses with a body punch.
Valente misses with an elbow over the top.
Nexus misses with a hook to the ribs.
Valente lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nexus takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Valente blocking some punches.
Valente goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Valente pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Valente lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nexus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nexus tries a body shot but Valente blocks it.
Nexus scores with a shoulder strike.
Valente tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nexus's elbow.
Valente throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nexus blocks an elbow strike.
Nexus makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Valente creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Valente pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Valente can't find room to land a body shot as Nexus controls the action.
Nexus tries a body shot but Valente blocks it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nexus.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Valente scores with a hook to the body.
Valente struggles to land a body shot inside as Nexus controls his hands.
Valente prevents a body shot from Nexus.
A shot in the inside from Valente.
Nexus lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Valente has a couple of punches blocked by Nexus.
Nexus tries to stall but Valente uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Carlinhos Valente will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nexus slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Valente misses with a hook.
Valente throws out a loose jab but Nexus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nexus takes a swing at Valente's ribcage but misses.
Valente throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valente doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nexus fails with a takedown attempt.
Valente cracks Nexus with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Carlinhos Valente seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nexus wants to land a leg kick but Valente is out of range.
Nexus ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Valente clobbers Nexus with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Valente has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valente takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Valente misses with a hook. Nexus ducked under it nicely.
Valente misses with a low kick as Nexus jumps back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nexus fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Valente throws a head kick that half lands.
Nexus throws a body shot but no joy.
Valente 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.
Valente scores with the left hand. Nexus knows he should have avoided that one.
Valente walks into a straight right hand from Nexus.
Valente missing with a left hand there. Nexus was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nexus works the jab nicely.
Nexus throws out a loose jab but Valente uses good head movement to avoid it.
Valente misses with a head kick.
Valente thuds his right hand into Nexus's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nexus swings for the body but Valente moves out of range.
Valente looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Valente throws a lazy right hand but Nexus sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Valente throws an overhand right that lands on Nexus's shoulder, as Nexus tries to avoid the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nexus feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Valentes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Valente throws a body kick that misses.
Nexus bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Valente's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valente wants to clinch up but Nexus keeps it at a distance.
Nexus moves out of range of the leg kick from Valente.
Nexus moves out of range of the leg kick from Valente.
Nexus lands the left hand.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nexus is defended easily by Valente.
Nexus wants to land a leg kick but Valente is out of range.
Nexus takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Valente misses with a low kick.
Valente misses with a body kick.
Valente lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nexus at a distance.
Nexus connects with a jab.
Nexus takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nexus blocks a jab.
Nexus changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nexus swings for the body but Valente moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Nexus.
Galaxy Nexus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carlinhos Valente is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valente swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nexus blocks a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Nexus 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Valente clinches up against the cage.
Nexus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nexus tries to throw a body punch but Valente avoids it by throwing Nexus back against the cage.
Valente will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nexus up against the cage.
Nexus has a couple of punches blocked by Valente.
Nexus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nexus slowing the pace effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valente blocks an uppercut.
Nexus throws a head punch that misses.
Nexus misses with a punch to the body.
Nexus has a couple of punches blocked by Valente.
Nexus wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Galaxy Nexus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valente tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Valente creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nexus's defenses.
Valente stops a takedown attempt from Nexus.
Valente throws an elbow that misses.
Nexus fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nexus tries to work over Valente's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Carlinhos Valente.
I've got Valente winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlinhos Valente!
Carlinhos Valente seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.