PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Clarkson (ranked 4645 p4p, 6567 weight class) and Andrew Stupsokin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Clarkson
vs
Stupsokin

193 cm
25
260
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
24
224
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Clarkson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrew Stupsokin!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clarkson fails with a takedown attempt.
Stupsokin misses with a head kick.
Clarkson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stupsokin defends it nicely.
Clarkson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stupsokin circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Clarkson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stupsokin tries for a takedown but Clarkson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stupsokin is defended easily by Clarkson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stupsokin shoots in for a takedown but Clarkson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stupsokin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Stupsokin moves into range and clinches up with Clarkson.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stupsokin pulls Clarkson into guard.

Stupsokin is looking for a triangle but Clarkson pushes his legs off easily.
Stupsokin wants to sweep but no luck.
Clarkson trying to control but Stupsokin is working from the bottom.
Clarkson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Clarkson trying to control the position from guard on top but Stupsokin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Clarkson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Clarkson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clarkson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stupsokin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Clarkson's guard.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Clarkson holds on and takes a little breather.
Stupsokin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Stupsokin is looking to work some ground and pound but Clarkson has wrist control.
Clarkson wants to sweep here but Stupsokin controlling him for the moment.
Clarkson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Clarkson tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clarkson looking for a guillotine here but Stupsokin defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stupsokin passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Stupsokin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Clarkson to his feet.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Stupsokin. Clarkson shrugs it off though.
Clarkson fails with a takedown attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Stupsokin misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stupsokin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Clarkson tries to clinch but Stupsokin moves out of range.
Stupsokin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Clarkson.
Clarkson fails with a takedown attempt.
Stupsokin changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Stupsokin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stupsokin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stupsokin wants it to stay on the feet.
Stupsokin wants to counter with a clinch but Clarkson pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stupsokin with a lazy takedown attempt
and Clarkson counters with a three punch combo that has Stupsokin backing up. Stupsokin nods at Clarkson to acknowledge the strikes.
Clarkson dives in and grabs Stupsokin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stupsokin pushes down on Clarkson's head and hops out.
Stupsokin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Stupsokin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stupsokin throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Clarkson's head.

Stupsokin closes the distance and pushes Clarkson back into the cage.
Clarkson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stupsokin.

Stupsokin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A left and a right from Clarkson both land. Nice combination.
Stupsokin leaves Clarkson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stupsokin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Clarkson wants to get back to full guard but Stupsokin has mounted him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarkson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Clarkson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stupsokin on the ground.
Clarkson is trying to escape the mount.
Stupsokin landing shots from mount.
Clarkson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Clarkson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Stupsokin throws a low kick but Clarkson avoids it.
Clarkson misses with a two punch combination.
Stupsokin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stupsokin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stupsokin moves out of range of the strikes.
Stupsokin steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Clarkson.
Clarkson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stupsokin but Stupsokin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stupsokin only half commits to the counter leg kick.

Stupsokin closes the distance and clinches.
Stupsokin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Clarkson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stupsokin's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Clarkson is pressed up against the cage. Stupsokin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Clarkson down to the mat. Clarkson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
John Clarkson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrew Stupsokin.
Stupsokin is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stupsokin goes for a double leg but Clarkson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Clarkson continues to drive forward.
Clarkson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stupsokin throws a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stupsokin goes for a double leg but Clarkson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Clarkson continues to drive forward.
John Clarkson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clarkson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Clarkson fails with a takedown attempt.
Clarkson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stupsokin defends well and Clarkson ends up having to push Stupsokin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stupsokin has Clarkson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Clarkson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Clarkson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stupsokin has him pressed against the cage.
Clarkson is trying to force a seperation but Stupsokin has the dominant position.
A frustrated look appears on Clarkson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stupsokin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Clarkson up against the cage.

Stupsokin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stupsokin scores with a kick to the midsection.
Clarkson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Stupsokin counters by moving into the clinch.

Stupsokin is fighting off a takedown attempt but Clarkson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Stupsokin to the mat. Stupsokin regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Stupsokin manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stupsokin dives in and grabs Clarkson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Clarkson pushes down on Stupsokin's head and hops out.

Stupsokin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Clarkson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Clarkson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stupsokin is aware though and is defending well.

Clarkson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Stupsokin has passed into half guard!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Stupsokin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Clarkson. No joy for Stupsokin on that attempt.
Clarkson tries to clinch up

and Stupsokin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stupsokin prevents Clarkson from standing back up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Stupsokin in particular looking to stall.
Clarkson is looking for a sweep. Stupsokin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stupsokin passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stupsokin looking to control but Clarkson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Clarkson regains half guard.
Stupsokin is thwarting Clarkson's attempts to control the position.
Stupsokin prevents Clarkson from improving his position.

That's two 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.
Clarkson wants to control but Stupsokin is keeping busy.
Stupsokin wants to control but Clarkson is keeping him busy.

Stupsokin is looking for a kimura but Clarkson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stupsokin to get the leverage.
Clarkson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stupsokin.
Clarkson is refusing to be controlled, as Stupsokin sits in half guard.
Clarkson is pressing down on Stupsokin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Clarkson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stupsokin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clarkson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Stupsokin drives through and clinches with Clarkson against the cage.
Clarkson tries to break free but Stupsokin pushes him back against the cage.
Stupsokin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Clarkson after a bit of a struggle.
Stupsokin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A frustrated look appears on Clarkson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stupsokin is pressed up against the cage. Clarkson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stupsokin down to the mat. Stupsokin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Clarkson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Andrew Stupsokin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Clarkson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Stupsokin or perhaps it was just good defense by Clarkson, which made it look bad.
John Clarkson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrew Stupsokin.
Clarkson misses with a jab to the body

and Stupsokin counters with a single leg into guard. Clarkson didn't expect that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clarkson wants to hit a sweep here but Stupsokin passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Clarkson there!
Stupsokin punishing his opponent with strikes.
Clarkson is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Stupsokin lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Clarkson is looking to get to half guard.
John Clarkson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrew Stupsokin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Stupsokin looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Stupsokin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stupsokin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Stupsokin!