PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trond Asmundsen (ranked 1086 p4p, 923 weight class) and Kaz McStafferson (ranked 165 p4p, 131 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Asmundsen
vs
McStafferson

188 cm
32
190
20 - 16 - 0

150 cm
40
190
24 - 26 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Vegan Gains
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Trond Asmundsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kaz McStafferson!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asmundsen lands with a kick to the temple. McStafferson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Asmundsen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McStafferson.
Some wild striking there from Asmundsen.
McStafferson slips a jab from Asmundsen.

McStafferson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Asmundsen actively working from the bottom here.

McStafferson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

McStafferson 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.
McStafferson uses his free foot to push down on Asmundsen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Asmundsen.
McStafferson with shots to the head and body - Asmundsen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Asmundsen is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Barn, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McStafferson looking to control but Asmundsen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

McStafferson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Asmundsen has worked his arm free - good work by Asmundsen!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McStafferson wants to control but Asmundsen is keeping him busy.
Asmundsen is looking for a sweep.

McStafferson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Asmundsen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

McStafferson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Asmundsen has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for McStafferson but great work by Asmundsen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen working the ground and pound but McStafferson is defending the strikes.
McStafferson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Asmundsen wants to lay and pray for a moment but McStafferson keeps working.
Asmundsen throwing shots but McStafferson is blocking nicely.

McStafferson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Asmundsen pulls his head out easily.

McStafferson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Asmundsen 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.
Asmundsen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McStafferson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McStafferson taking some punishment here, with Asmundsen in his half guard.
McStafferson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
McStafferson has hold of Asmundsen's hands but Asmundsen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Asmundsen trying to control from half guard but McStafferson is working away.
Asmundsen lands with a punch from half guard.
McStafferson manages to get to full guard.
McStafferson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
McStafferson keeping moving, preventing Asmundsen from controlling successfully.
McStafferson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McStafferson looking for a sweep. Not yet McStafferson, not yet.
Asmundsen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McStafferson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Asmundsen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Our spies down at at Crapollas Gym inform us that McStafferson has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Asmundsen works over McStafferson with some ground and pound from guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Trond Asmundsen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Asmundsen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. McStafferson was covering up waiting for the punch and Asmundsen finishes the takedown easily into guard.

McStafferson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Asmundsen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

McStafferson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Asmundsen defends well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Asmundsen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McStafferson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Asmundsen defends well.
McStafferson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Asmundsen is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asmundsen working some strikes from top position.
Asmundsen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Asmundsen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McStafferson working a defensive guard but Asmundsen manages to pass into side control anyway.

Asmundsen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McStafferson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McStafferson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Asmundsen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McStafferson, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McStafferson tries to improve position but can't.
Asmundsen throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and McStafferson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Trond Asmundsen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McStafferson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Asmundsen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Asmundsen's back!

Asmundsen defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Asmundsen turns into McStafferson and is now in his guard.
Asmundsen postures up and lands a big shot to McStafferson's brow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Asmundsen trying to control but McStafferson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Asmundsen wants to control from the top but McStafferson keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Asmundsen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Asmundsen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Asmundsen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McStafferson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Asmundsen wants to control from the top but McStafferson keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

McStafferson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Asmundsen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McStafferson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McStafferson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McStafferson keeping moving, preventing Asmundsen from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McStafferson controls Asmundsen momentarily but Asmundsen frees himself.
Asmundsen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Trond Asmundsen dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by McStafferson.

McStafferson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Asmundsen has escaped the position, nice work there.

McStafferson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Asmundsen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Asmundsen regains half guard.
McStafferson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McStafferson wants to advance to full mount but Asmundsen doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McStafferson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Asmundsen is keeping the position for now.
Asmundsen pulls McStafferson in close to his closed guard and prevents McStafferson from doing any damage or advancing position.

McStafferson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Asmundsen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of McStafferson, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asmundsen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

McStafferson looking for a guillotine here but Asmundsen defends easily.
Asmundsen wants to control from the top but McStafferson keeps moving.
Asmundsen is working McStafferson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Asmundsen lands a couple of elbows.
Asmundsen looking to sit in guard and control but McStafferson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Asmundsen looking for a sweep. Not yet Asmundsen, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Asmundsen is trying to control the position but McStafferson postures up.
Asmundsen keeping moving, preventing McStafferson from controlling successfully.
McStafferson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Asmundsen is trying to control the position but McStafferson postures up.

Asmundsen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McStafferson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Asmundsen is keeping the position for now.
Asmundsen keeping moving, preventing McStafferson from controlling successfully.
McStafferson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asmundsen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McStafferson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McStafferson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McStafferson wants to pass the guard but Asmundsen is keeping the position.

McStafferson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Asmundsen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McStafferson has managed to get both his arms back between Asmundsen's legs - danger averted.
McStafferson tries to free his leg and advance position but Asmundsen is retaining full guard.

Asmundsen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McStafferson defends it easily.
McStafferson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Asmundsen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McStafferson wants to control from the top but Asmundsen keeps moving.
Kaz McStafferson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Asmundsen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Asmundsen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McStafferson is aware though and is defending well.
McStafferson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Asmundsen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McStafferson is pressing down on Asmundsen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asmundsen is holding on for now.

McStafferson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Asmundsen defends it well.
Asmundsen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of McStafferson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take McStafferson's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Asmundsen is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. McStafferson is defending well though. Asmundsen let's go of the attempt for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kaz McStafferson.
Well Asmundsen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Trond Asmundsen!
During a confident post fight interview, Trond Asmundsen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.