PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilhelm Louis Stern (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matti Wanhanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wanhanen has chosen Mina olen by Kotiteollisuus as his entrance music. Matti Wanhanen will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Louis Stern
vs
Wanhanen

185 cm
20
210 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

197 cm
20
213 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

White Gorilla Nutrition

Fight Club Clothing
TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Wilhelm Louis Stern!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matti Wanhanen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stern closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wanhanen tries to get to full guard but Stern has control of the leg.
Stern takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nice strikes from Stern there.
Wanhanen is staying active underneath Stern, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ground and pound from Stern.
Wanhanen trying to hold on to Stern's head to control him but Stern postures up.

Wanhanen actively working from the bottom here.

Stern is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Wanhanen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stern's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stern's back!
Stern rolls, trying to escape but Wanhanen keeps control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wanhanen tries to get the hooks in deep but Stern pushed the leg off.

Wanhanen is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Stern has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Wanhanen is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Stern staying busy and making it hard for Wanhanen to control.

Stern is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Wanhanen gets his way!
Stern rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Stern flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Stern wants to control but Wanhanen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Wanhanen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stern is just riding it out for now. Wanhanen eventually gives up the hold.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stern throws a wild body kick that Wanhanen sees coming a mile off.
Wanhanen throws a solid leg kick but Stern takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Wanhanen.
Wanhanen throws a head kick but Stern moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stern bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stern throws a body punch but Wanhanen moves out of range.
Stern avoids the head kick by Wanhanen.
Stern attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Wanhanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stern tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice sprawl there from Wanhanen as Stern shoots in.
Wanhanen throws a head kick that misses.
Stern throws a sloppy head kick
and Wanhanen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wanhanen avoids the head kick by Stern.
Wanhanen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wanhanen waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Stern.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stern tries to close the distance and clinch but Wanhanen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stern takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Wanhanen throws a head kick but Stern moves out of range.
A clash of legs there as Wanhanen blocks the low kick.
Stern blocks the body kick.
Wanhanen misses with a straight right.
Stern misses with a takedown attempt
and Wanhanen counters with an outside leg kick.
Stern is trying hard to land a takedown here. Wanhanen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilhelm Louis Stern. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stern has his takedown stuffed
and Wanhanen counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Matti Wanhanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wanhanen throws a leg kick but Stern sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stern will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Wanhanen dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stern blocks the body kick.
Wanhanen throws a low kick but Stern avoids it.
Wanhanen throws a head kick that misses

and Stern counters with a takedown into side control.
Stern working the strikes but Wanhanen uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Stern is trying to control the action in half guard but Wanhanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Wanhanen wants to control but Stern is keeping busy.
Stern thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wanhanen's head.
Wanhanen gets full guard.
Stern stands up over Wanhanen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wanhanen is trying to keep Stern in close.
Wanhanen keeping full guard, as Stern tries to pass.
Stern trying to control but Wanhanen is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stern passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Wanhanen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stern's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Wanhanen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stern's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stern's back!
Stern might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wanhanen doesn't have the hooks in and Stern manages to turn into his guard.
Stern postures up.
Wanhanen being controlled here, momentarily.
Stern throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wanhanen is looking for a triangle but Stern pushes his legs off easily.
Stern advances position into side control!
Wanhanen sneaks back into half guard.
Wanhanen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Stern slips nicely into half guard.

Stern is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stern not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stern throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stern scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stern thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wanhanen's head.
Stern thows a huge punch but Wanhanen dodges it nicely.
Wanhanen tries to roll over but Stern keeps him under control.

Wanhanen actively working from the bottom here.
Wanhanen is breathing heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stern fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Wanhanen is out of range.
A head kick misses from Wanhanen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Wanhanen.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Wanhanen.
Stern throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wanhanen misses with a low kick as Stern jumps back.
Stern misses with a head kick.

Stern gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wanhanen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stern.
Stern drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wanhanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stern's elbow.
A left hand lands to the body for Wanhanen.
Stern misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wanhanen prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilhelm Louis Stern dominated that second round.
That's time! Stern's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Wanhanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stern manages to avoid it.
Wanhanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wanhanen throws a front kick aimed at Stern's knee but Stern avoids it well.
Wanhanen throws a head kick that misses.
Wanhanen throws a leg kick

and Stern counters with a takedown into side control.
Stern controlling the position from side mount.
Stern in side control, throwing shots but Wanhanen defends.
Wanhanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wanhanen sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stern is looking to take a break and control but Wanhanen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wanhanen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stern working some strikes from top position.
Wanhanen trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wanhanen keeping full guard, as Stern tries to pass.
Stern passes Wanhanen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Wanhanen trying to hold on to Stern's head to control him but Stern postures up.
Stern wants to advance to full mount but Wanhanen doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Wanhanen is trying to keep Stern in close.

Stern avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Wanhanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stern is pushing down on Wanhanen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Wanhanen is fighting to maintain full guard but Stern has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stern lands a nice short elbow.
Stern passes to full mount!
Wanhanen wants to hold on but Stern pushes him away.
Stern lands a big shot there that rocks Wanhanen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Stern wants to control the pace but Wanhanen is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stern is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Wanhanen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Stern scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Wanhanen?
Stern with the ground and pound from mount.
Stern lands with some strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stern punishing his opponent with strikes.
Wanhanen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Stern landing punches.
A nice elbow there by Stern.
Wanhanen working to try and regain half guard.
Wilhelm Louis Stern overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wanhanen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stern keeping moving, preventing Wanhanen from controlling successfully.
Wanhanen postures up.
Stern is pulling down on Wanhanen's head to control his posture.
Stern controls Wanhanen momentarily but Wanhanen frees himself.
Wanhanen stopping the sweep attempt from Stern.
Stern trying to strike off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wanhanen postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilhelm Louis Stern clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wanhanen blocks a head kick by Stern.
Stern goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Wanhanen throws a head kick but Stern moves out of range.
Wanhanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Wanhanen takes one to the chin there.
Stern avoids the head kick by Wanhanen.
A jab from Wanhanen misses.
Wanhanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Wanhanen misses.
Wanhanen throws a head kick that misses.
Stern shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stern avoids the head kick by Wanhanen.
Wanhanen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Wanhanen blocks a head kick by Stern.
Wanhanen avoids the head kick by Stern.
Wanhanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Wanhanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stern closes the distance looking to clinch
and Wanhanen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Wanhanen checks a leg kick.
Stern pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stern keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Wanhanen throws a lazy head kick

and Stern counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Wanhanen's guard now.
Stern wants to control from the top but Wanhanen keeps moving.
Stern throwing strikes from guard but Wanhanen blocks nicely.
Stern passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Stern working away.
Stern has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wanhanen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stern off and has taken his back!

Stern is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Wanhanen gets his way!
Stern trying to control the hands but Wanhanen breaks the grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stern tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Stern is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Wanhanen moves to back control.

Wanhanen looking for the choke from the back.
Wanhanen trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Wanhanen is looking for a choke. Stern gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Stern manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Wanhanen keeping full guard, as Stern tries to pass.
Wanhanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stern is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wanhanen keeping full guard, as Stern tries to pass.
Wanhanen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stern throws a head kick that misses.
Wanhanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stern moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wanhanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Wanhanen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilhelm Louis Stern had his way with Matti Wanhanen in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Wanhanen.
Wanhanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stern.
Wanhanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wanhanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Wanhanen slaps away a takedown attempt from Stern, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stern pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stern misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wanhanen slips a straight right by Stern.
Wanhanen tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wanhanen scores with a kick to the midsection.
Stern shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Wanhanen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Wanhanen tries a low kick but Stern avoids it.
Wanhanen moves away from the strike by Stern.
Stern blocks a head kick by Wanhanen.
Wanhanen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stern. Stern obviously looking to wear him down.
Stern avoids a kick to the body.
Stern pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wanhanen throws a sloppy head kick

and Stern counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Wanhanen!
Stern avoids the attempt from Wanhanen to control.
Matti Wanhanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stern jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Wanhanen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Stern in side control lands a decent elbow.
Stern throws an elbow but Wanhanen slips to the side and avoids it well.
Wanhanen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stern off and has taken his back!

Wanhanen working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Wanhanen gets his hands free as Stern looks to control.

Stern defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Wanhanen's arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stern rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Stern regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wilhelm Louis Stern is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wanhanen stopping the sweep attempt from Stern.
Stern keeping moving, preventing Wanhanen from controlling successfully.
Stern bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wanhanen's guard.
Stern is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stern trying to control the position from guard on top but Wanhanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stern trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Wanhanen has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Stern doesn't defend quickly enough and Wanhanen has managed to lock this one up! Can Stern escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Wanhanen on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Matti Wanhanen!
Matti Wanhanen is the new light heavyweight champion!