What a match! Revel Entertainment was the place and Fightnight 41 was the event. The 9th fight of the night featured Cibola’s very own Dion Valdez of San Rafael who came in 1-0, squaring off with an Alamogordo fighter named Paul Robinson, at 1-1.
Valdez, who dropped from 155 lbs. to 145lbs. for this fight walked out to “Til I Collapse' by Eminem and to the screams of the crowd – clearly the crowd energy was for Valdez. Many in the crowd were current residents and former residents of Grants who came to support their local fighter.
“So, I was way more confident–for sure,” said Valdez of this match-up with Robinson, who came in 1-1.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be over sized like I was in my first fight—I dropped down a weight class and I still felt just as strong.”
Strong indeed, Valdez began his assault as soon as the bell went off in round 1.
Early in the round, Valdez was able to pick up Robinson and slam him down and tried to pin him, however, Robinson regained his composure and was able to get back on his feet.
Robinson is a former Army infantryman and his corner Desert Dynasty MMA out of Alamogordo, was no slouch.
Valdez continued to pepper Robinson with a combination of kicks and punches, waiting for his opportunity.
They continued to battle it out with some kicks and punches to size each other up. Valdez quickly established himself as the aggressor.
The bell rings…the first round is over…both ended the first round intact.
Valdez’s coach and trainer Joey Lujan of J5 Jiu Jitsu/MMA in Grants said, “Between rounds I told Dion—you're winning this fight–he is now wearing down–shop for a finish this round.”
Ding, Ding, Ding. Round two!
Valdez had sized his opponent up and after some sparring and maneuvering he seized his opportunity to take Robinson down.
“Robinson was really strong off the start,” said Valdez. “But I could feel my pressure was too much—he tired out quickly and that’s why I was able to finish him.”
Finish him! At 1:17 in round two, Valdez was able to slip a Rear Naked Choke on Robinson after taking him down.
The rear naked choke is a solid choke that turns the arms, chest and back into a human vise—also the person initiating the choke has to use their heels to dig into the opponents thighs to keep them on their back.
Valdez executed that rear naked choke and using his strength and endurance wore down Robinson who succumbed. Valdez wins and advances to 2-0.
Valdez and his corner did a victory lap to the howls of the standingroom-only crowd.
“We had a plan to get the fight to the ground,” said Lujan. “When the time was right, we would initiate a takedown–and finish him.”
The plan worked well! “My goal going into the fight was to get a finish early–I didn’t want to be there long,” said Valdez.
“For me the highlights were just having my family and friends there to support me and how loud it got in there for me was crazy,” said Valdez. “My fights have not been boring—pure excitement.”
After the bout Lujan added, “Dion listens well from the corner—he sticks to the game plan—I have been doing this for a long time and it’s easy to see if a guys has it or not…Dion does.”
Next up for Valdez and team Lujan is another amateur fight when they get a call from a promoter.
Lujan added, as long as Dion stays “healthy” and “consistent in the gym” we will be fighting every couple of months – then a possible shot at the 155lb. title fight!
Franklin Romero - CC