PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Willy Valenzuela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Florence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Willy Valenzuela had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Valenzuela
vs
Florence

156 cm
24
178 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

182 cm
25
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Willy Valenzuela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Florence!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valenzuela looks to land a combination but Florence avoids it well.

Florence gets the takedown into side control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Valenzuela can't do much from the bottom here.
Valenzuela might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Valenzuela tries to buck Florence off but Florence is having none of it.
Florence tries to stand but Valenzuela is controlling his head.
Valenzuela prevents Florence from improving position.
Valenzuela is looking to regain half guard here but Florence keeps moving and retains side control.
Valenzuela wants to control but Florence postures up.
Valenzuela is trying to get back to half guard.
Valenzuela being controlled for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valenzuela managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Florence.
Who's going to make the next move?
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Florence tries to clinch up.
Valenzuela misses with a two punch combination.
Florence fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Valenzuela checks it well.
Florence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Valenzuela moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Florence shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Florence seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Valenzuela does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Florence content to control rather than advance.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Valenzuela works his way to full guard. Good work.
Valenzuela is pulling down on Florence's head. It's preventing any offense from Florence, at least for the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Florence got a little sloppy there for a moment and Valenzuela has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Florence has managed to get both his arms back between Valenzuela's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Florence stopping the sweep attempt from Valenzuela.
Florence is looking to stand up but Valenzuela won't let him.
Florence pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Valenzuela is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Florence preventing the sweep.
Florence sitting in guard here, content to control.
Florence must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chris Florence was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Valenzuela gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Florence to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Florence looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela wants to sweep but no luck.
Valenzuela has control of Florence's left arm, preventing Florence from doing any damage.
Florence trying to control the position from guard on top but Valenzuela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Valenzuela trying to strike off his back.
Valenzuela pulls Florence in to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Florence wants to clinch.
Florence is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Florence dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Florence closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Valenzuela quickly recovers to half guard.
Chris Florence has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valenzuela trying to control but Florence postures up.
Florence is trying to control the action in half guard but Valenzuela is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Florence is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Valenzuela is trying to control but can't.
Valenzuela slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Valenzuela looking for a sweep. Not yet Valenzuela, not yet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Valenzuela is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Florence fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Valenzuela sprawls well initially but Florence persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valenzuela is pressing down on Florence's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Valenzuela looking to control.
Valenzuela really is a fat lump.
Valenzuela keeping moving, preventing Florence from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Valenzuela lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Florence!
Valenzuela is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Florence tries to reverse the position but Valenzuela maintains control.
Florence is breathing heavily.
Florence wants to control but Valenzuela is having none of it.
Florence is bucking up trying to escape but Valenzuela cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Valenzuela landing punches.

Valenzuela working for a guillotine from mount but Florence is in no mood to give up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Florence is looking to get to half guard.
Valenzuela is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Florence can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Valenzuela with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela raining down shots from the mount!
Florence wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Florence keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Valenzuela lands a heavy elbow.
Florence is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Valenzuela is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Valenzuela with shots to the head and body - Florence looks very uncomfortable down there.
Valenzuela prevents Florence from getting the reversal.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valenzuela lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Valenzuela quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Valenzuela but it's paid off an Florence is forced to tap! Nice work by Valenzuela.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Willy Valenzuela!