JUSTIN VALENTIN – CONNECTICUT’S UP AND COMING PRO MMA FLYWEIGHT

NORTH EAST MMA Media / PRO MMA Fighter Focus

Justin Valentin fights out of Connecticut and trains under the guidance of Underdog Mixed Martial Arts.  Valentin is a true flyweight having fought all of his amateur and professional MMA bouts at 125 lbs.  He made his amateur debut back in September of 2014 at Premier FC 17 delivering a victory via guillotine choke submission in the third round.  The Connecticut flyweight went on to build a convincing (5-1) record as an amateur.  With four of his amateur wins coming by way of finish, Valentin demonstrated to the local fight fans that he is exciting to watch and possesses the ability to stop opponents.  Some of Valentin’s amateur victories have come against notable northeast talent.  Of such include a first round submission win in March of 2015 at Warrior Nation XFA 10 over tough Massachusetts fighter Richie Santiago.  As well as a first round knockout victory in May of 2018 at Reality Fighting over Harris Bonfiglio, a solid fellow Connecticut MMA competitor.  Both of these opponents have gone on to become competitive northeast MMA professionals with Santiago currently holding an (8-5) record inside the cage and Harris Bonfiglio who as a professional is (5-1).

Valentin made his professional MMA debut in November of 2018 under the lights at CES MMA 53.  Valentin delivered a first round finish via guillotine choke against an (0-2) Jessie Pires.  After a strong (2-0) start Valentin ran into a few stumbles gaining back to back ‘L’s in 2019.  According to the cage side judges both bouts where extremely close contests. Valentin’s first pro loss arrived by way of majority decision against Jason Huntley at CES MMA 55.  Valentin’s second pro loss a hard fought split decision versus Adrian Haly at CES MMA 58.  Valentin has pushed forward to produce a solid (4-2) MMA record as a pro with three of his wins coming by way of finish.  Valentin and his team have managed to turn the momentum around, currently riding a two fight winning streak.  The Connecticut flyweight is coming off an impressive second round heel hook submission over Tim Flores (3-1), a promising pro New England prospect.  The win over Flores is a big step in the right direction for Valentin.  The win against Flores has brought more regional attention to Valentin.  It has put him in a position of opportunity and growth.  Valentin carries a sufficient standup game and a formidable ground game.  He is scrappy, can be tenacious, and brings real skill.   Valentin clearly continues to evolve inside the cage.  As more opportunities come into the picture it will be interesting to see if Valentin can find the focus needed to push his way up the pro flyweight mountain.  Northeast and New England promotions should give Valentin a good look over as he would definitely bring additional MMA electricity to any regional fight card.

NORTH EAST MMA Media

By: Thomas Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)