PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Haru Moteki (ranked 6111 p4p, 2169 weight class) and Edwin Valero (ranked 256 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Moteki
vs
Valero

155 cm
25
134
1 - 6 - 1

168 cm
25
135
5 - 0 - 1

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 - 6 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Haru Moteki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Edwin Valero!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valero staying out of range there.
Moteki lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Moteki.
Moteki tries a head kick but it misses.
Moteki wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Moteki has Valero up against the cage in a clinch.
Moteki struggles to land a body shot inside as Valero controls his hands.

Valero wants the takedown. Moteki is fighting it off but Valero persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Moteki's guard against the cage.
Moteki trying to keep a closed guard but Valero is proving a slippery customer.
Valero passes into half guard.

Valero looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Moteki tries to roll over but Valero keeps him under control.
Moteki could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valero is working for a kimura but Moteki is defending it quite comfortably.
Valero is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Moteki!
Valero fails to advance to Moteki's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moteki is desperately trying to improve his position but Valero has a good base and remains in mount.
Moteki regains half guard.
Valero uses his free foot to push down on Moteki's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Moteki.
Valero wants to take Moteki's back but he can't do it this time.
Moteki really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Valero is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moteki tries to hold on but Valero postures up.
Valero forces the positional change into back control.

Moteki is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Valero gets his way!
Valero is trying to stick to Moteki's back but Moteki is turning into Valero. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Valero's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Moteki.
Valero looking for a sweep. Not yet Valero, not yet.

Valero working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Moteki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Valero is tightening it up a little... Moteki has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Moteki reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Moteki taps out! Nice BJJ there by Valero!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Edwin Valero!