PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fiyzal Ghafoor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sherman Stafford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stafford has chosen Sherman's too sexy as his entrance music. The key to victory for Fiyzal Ghafoor has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ghafoor
vs
Stafford

187 cm
18
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
24
170 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Fiyzal Ghafoor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Sherman Stafford!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ghafoor.
Ghafoor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ghafoor keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Stafford looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Ghafoor!
Ghafoor keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stafford is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ghafoor is surviving well by controlling Stafford's body position as best he can.

Stafford is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ghafoor has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stafford is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ghafoor can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Stafford working for a guillotine from mount but Ghafoor is in no mood to give up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghafoor really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ghafoor tries to hold on but Stafford pushes him away.
Stafford takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Stafford looks gassed!
Ghafoor tries to hold on but Stafford pushes him away.

Stafford looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Ghafoor is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

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.
Ghafoor can't escape the position.

Stafford is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ghafoor has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Ghafoor wants to control but Stafford is having none of it.
Ghafoor is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ghafoor squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Stafford looking to control but Ghafoor is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Stafford looking to secure an arm triangle but Ghafoor defends it well.
Ghafoor is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghafoor is looking to improve his position but Stafford isn't that keen on the idea.

Stafford is working for a guillotine from mount but Ghafoor frees his head quite easily.

Stafford jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ghafoor manages to avoid the submission attempt.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ghafoor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stafford counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fiyzal Ghafoor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghafoor wants to control but Stafford postures up.
Stafford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ghafoor keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghafoor is looking to regain half guard here but Stafford keeps moving and retains side control.
Stafford working away.

Stafford working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Stafford is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ghafoor knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ghafoor tries to buck Stafford off but Stafford is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
You can see the frustration on Ghafoor's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sherman Stafford 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.

Stafford shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ghafoor keeping moving, preventing Stafford from controlling successfully.
Ghafoor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ghafoor is working hard here to advance position.
Stafford wants to control from the top but Ghafoor keeps moving.

Stafford drops back looking for a leg! Ghafoor is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ghafoor manages to kick Stafford off! Stafford jumps back into Ghafoor's guard.
Ghafoor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stafford is breathing heavily.
Ghafoor is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ghafoor with a poor takedown

and Stafford counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ghafoor!

Stafford with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Stafford working for a submission but Ghafoor is keeping him at bay.

Stafford wants to finish this one by submission but Ghafoor is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Stafford.
Ghafoor wants to control but Stafford is having none of it.
Stafford wants to control the pace but Ghafoor is squirming around nicely.
Sherman Stafford has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ghafoor is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stafford has hold of Ghafoor's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ghafoor manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ghafoor can't escape the position.
Ghafoor flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Ghafoor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stafford on the ground.
Ghafoor is looking to improve his position but Stafford isn't that keen on the idea.

Stafford working for a submission but Ghafoor is keeping him at bay.
Stafford wants to control the pace but Ghafoor is squirming around nicely.
Stafford fails to advance to Ghafoor's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghafoor wants to control but Stafford is having none of it.
Ghafoor tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stafford avoids the attempt from Ghafoor to control.

Stafford working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Stafford working for a guillotine from mount but Ghafoor is in no mood to give up.

Stafford has control of Ghafoor's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ghafoor regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ghafoor is trying to escape the mount.
Ghafoor is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ghafoor throwing hammer fists to the chest of Stafford. What's that going to do exactly?

Stafford working for a submission but Ghafoor is keeping him at bay.
Stafford avoids the attempt from Ghafoor to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ghafoor is looking to improve his position but Stafford isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sherman Stafford showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ghafoor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stafford circles away.

Stafford feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ghafoor is trying to keep Stafford in close.
Ghafoor wants to stand up but Stafford is controlling him.

Stafford is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ghafoor trying to keep a closed guard but Stafford is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Stafford drops back looking for a leg! Ghafoor is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ghafoor manages to kick Stafford off! Stafford jumps back into Ghafoor's guard.
Ghafoor is looking to stand up but Stafford isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghafoor working a defensive guard here.
Stafford wants to control from the top but Ghafoor keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ghafoor misses with a takedown

and Stafford counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stafford.
Stafford tries to free his leg and advance position but Ghafoor is retaining full guard.

Stafford thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stafford looking to pass the guard.
Stafford wants to control from the top but Ghafoor keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stafford drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stafford jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ghafoor is trying to control the position but Stafford postures up.

Stafford drops back looking for a leg! Ghafoor is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ghafoor manages to kick Stafford off! Stafford jumps back into Ghafoor's guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ghafoor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ghafoor tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stafford sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ghafoor somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fiyzal Ghafoor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghafoor displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghafoor throws a series of strikes that have Stafford backpedaling.
Ghafoor tries to clinch but Stafford is having none of it.
Ghafoor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stafford as he jumps to the side.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ghafoor.
Stafford shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ghafoor pinned against the cage. Ghafoor gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ghafoor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stafford will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

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.
Ghafoor lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stafford backs up against the cage.
Ghafoor throws a one two combo.
Ghafoor tries for a takedown but Stafford circles away easily

and Stafford decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ghafoor's guard.
Stafford trying to control the position from guard on top but Ghafoor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stafford drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stafford jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Stafford sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ghafoor's guard.
Sherman Stafford is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ghafoor is defending against the submission attempts here by Stafford.
Ghafoor wants to improve his position but Stafford is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sherman Stafford comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stafford 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 Steven Brown scores the fight for Sherman Stafford!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Sherman Stafford!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Sherman Stafford!

Sherman Stafford wins by unanimous decision!