PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Mkenn (ranked 24334 p4p, 3834 weight class) and Ville Valo (ranked 191 p4p, 149 weight class). Ville Valo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mkenn
vs
Valo

225 cm
21
300
0 - 3 - 0

225 cm
25
300
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Neon Zombie
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Justin Mkenn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ville Valo!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Sergei Dronov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valo works over Mkenn's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Justin Mkenn has been cut.
Mkenn throws a body kick that misses.
Despite the aggression on Valo's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Valo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mkenn swivels and escapes.

Valo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Valo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Valo landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Valo throws a big right hand that misses.

Valo gets to his feet - Mkenn follows without any prompting.

Mkenn gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valo fails to pull guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mkenn tries to close the distance and clinch but Valo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Justin Mkenn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mkenn is looking to clinch but Valo is avoiding it.
Valo tries to counter by closing the distance.
Valo blocks a head kick by Mkenn.
Mkenn is looking to clinch.
Mkenn tries to clinch but Valo is having none of it.
Valo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mkenn defends well and Valo ends up having to push Mkenn into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Justin Mkenn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ville Valo.
Mkenn doesn't manage to clinch there - Valo circles away.
Mkenn pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Valo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mkenn blocks a head kick by Valo.
Mkenn tries to clinch but Valo is having none of it.
Mkenn tries a head kick but it misses.

Valo takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Valo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mkenn gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Valo.
Mkenn misses with the head strike.
Valo dodges an elbow strike from Mkenn.
Mkenn being controlled against the cage.

Valo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Valo has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Mkenn. No joy for Valo on that attempt.
Mkenn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Valo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Valo takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Mkenn throws a head kick that half lands.

Valo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mkenn won't allow Valo to pass to mount.
Valo looks winded!
Valo controlling the action here.
Mkenn pushes Valo off looking to stand but Valo dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Valo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Valo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Valo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mkenn with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Mkenn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Valo maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Mkenn could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Valo has cracked it and Mkenn is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Valo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ville Valo!
A relieved looking Ville Valo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.