PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Demetrius Valdez (ranked 25138 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axel Bunch (ranked 3756 p4p, 0 weight class). Axel Bunch has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Valdez
vs
Bunch

152 cm
23
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Demetrius Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Axel Bunch!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Bunch.
Valdez could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Bunch shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bunch was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Valdez explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Bunch looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Valdez!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valdez is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Valdez missing with punches from the bottom.
Valdez moves into full guard.
Bunch won't allow Valdez to sweep him here.

Valdez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bunch defends well.

Valdez has his foot on Bunch's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bunch works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bunch avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Valdez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bunch.

Valdez working for a triangle but Bunch defends it easily.

Valdez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bunch trying to control the position from guard on top but Valdez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bunch is one step ahead there.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Valdez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bunch defends well.

Bunch is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Valdez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Valdez has escaped and now he's on top!

Valdez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Valdez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez won't allow Bunch to sweep him here.
Bunch has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Valdez has passed into side control.
Bunch is trying to control Valdez's posture but Valdez avoids it.

Valdez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Bunch's face as Valdez controls the position.
Bunch looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valdez decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bunch to his feet.
Valdez explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Valdez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Valdez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Bunch shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bunch was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Valdez sneaks out the side door and pushes Bunch away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Valdez closes the distance and pushes Bunch back into the cage.

Bunch jumps guard and drags Valdez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demetrius Valdez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Valdez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Valdez is working for a submission of some sort.
Valdez wants to stand but Bunch has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Bunch avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valdez.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunch has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Valdez is working away from the top position though.
Bunch tries to get to full guard but Valdez has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ground and pound from Valdez.
Valdez stalling.

Valdez is trying to work for a kimura but Bunch is defending well.
Bunch is trying to maintain the position but Valdez is very close to passing his half guard.
Bunch is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bunch is trying to control but Valdez manages to pass to mount!

Valdez is working for a guillotine from mount but Bunch frees his head quite easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valdez controlling from the full mount.
Valdez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bunch can do to turn this around?
Valdez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Valdez working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Bunch looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Valdez! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Demetrius Valdez!