PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andre Fernandes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brooks Staal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fernandes comes into the arena with Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Fernandes
vs
Staal

160 cm
22
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andre Fernandes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brooks Staal!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Staal gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short uppercut from Staal.
Fernandes tries to score a body lock takedown but Staal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Staal stops a takedown attempt from Fernandes.
Staal is looking to break free of the clinch but Fernandes has double underhooks.
Staal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Staal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fernandes tries for a takedown but Staal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Fernandes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Staal goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fernandes shoots for a takedown but Staal saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fernandes is breathing heavily.
Staal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Staal throws a nice looking combination but Fernandes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fernandes walks into a jab.
Staal connects with a high kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Danga de danga de dang - Staal scores with a four punch combination!
Staal lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A combination from Staal does no damage.

Staal closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Staal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Staal moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Staal moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Staal has managed to clinch.

Staal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A right-left combo lands from Staal.
Staal changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Staal looks to land a combination but Fernandes avoids it well.
Staal lands a nice looking body shot.
A left and a right from Staal both land. Nice combination.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Staal, as that shot connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Staal clinches.

Staal breaks the clinch.
Staal lands a head kick!
Staal displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Staal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Staal has Fernandes up against the cage in a clinch.

Staal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Staal lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Staal fails to land with a series of punches.
Staal throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Staal throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Staal is working the combinations to good effect here.

Staal rushes Fernandes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Staal breaks the clinch.
Fernandes shoots in for a double leg but Staal sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Staal lands with a nice body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal works over Fernandes's head and body with a nice combination.
Nice body kick there by Staal.
Staal throws a series of strikes that have Fernandes backpedaling.
Staal is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Fernandes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Staal lands with a nice body punch.
Staal delivers a nice body kick.
Staal lands a really nice looking cross but Fernandes seems unphased.
Staal scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Staal stuns Fernandes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Staal throws a right and a left that Fernandes avoids nicely.
Staal will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Staal pushes Fernandes up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Staal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Staal!
Staal has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Staal scores with a leg kick.

Staal moves into the clinch.

Staal breaks from the clinch.
Staal looks to land a combination. Fernandes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Fernandes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Staal scores with a three punch combo!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Staal works over Fernandes's head and body with a nice combination.

Staal moves into range and clinches up with Fernandes.
Fernandes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Staal prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brooks Staal 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.

Staal scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fernandes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Staal misses with a series of wild punches.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Fernandes. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Staal throws a head kick that Fernandes semi-blocks.
Staal looks to land a combination. Fernandes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Staal looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Staal throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Brooks Staal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Staal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Staal fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Staal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Staal works over Fernandes's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Staal. Staal obviously looking to wear him down.
Andre Fernandes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Staal moves into the clinch.

Staal breaks from the clinch.
Staal scores with a one two! Fernandes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Fernandes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Staal lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Staal lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Fernandes has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Danga de danga de dang - Staal scores with a four punch combination!
Staal's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Staal duly obliges.

Staal closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Staal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staal lands a nice looking body shot.
Staal scores with a three punch combo!
Staal throws a nice looking combination but Fernandes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Staal has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fernandes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Staal pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Staal manages to break the clinch.
Fernandes is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Staal.
Staal throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Staal displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Fernandes takes one to the chin there.
Brooks Staal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fernandes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Staal swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Fernandes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Staal lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Staal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Staal with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Staal displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Staal stuffs the takedown.
Staal throws a head kick but Fernandes moves out of range.

Staal closes the distance and pushes Fernandes back into the cage.
Staal wants to break the clinch but can't.

Staal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown but Staal shows good takedown defense.
Staal scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Staal lands with a hook. Fernandes tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Staal is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Fernandes rather than just go for the knockout.

Staal clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Staal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Staal can't break the clinch.
Staal stops a takedown attempt from Fernandes.
Fernandes looking for a takedown.
Fernandes goes for a takedown attempt but Staal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Staal moves into the clinch.
Fernandes prevents Staal from breaking the clinch.
Fernandes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Staal is looking to break free of the clinch but Fernandes has double underhooks.

Staal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Staal throws a combination. Fernandes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Staal lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brooks Staal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Fernandes tries to keep at a distance but Staal has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fernandes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Staal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fernandes is trying to drag Staal to the mat but Staal just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Staal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Staal but Staal pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Fernandes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Staal closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Staal has managed to clinch.

Staal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fernandes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Staal displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Staal with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Staal lands with a kick to the temple. Fernandes shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Fernandes closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Staal turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fernandes has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Staal scores with a one two! Fernandes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Staal closes the distance and clinches.
Staal is trying to force a seperation but Fernandes has the dominant position.

Staal breaks the clinch.

Staal takes the fight into the clinch.
Staal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fernandes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Staal fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fernandes tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Staal pushes Fernandes up against the cage in a clinch.

Staal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Fernandes tries to keep at a distance but Staal has taken the fight into the clinch.

Staal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fernandes shoots in but Staal avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Staal clinches with his opponent.
Staal prevents the takedown attempt.

Staal breaks from the clinch.
Staal throws a right hand that Fernandes ducks under and follows up with a left that Fernandes also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Staal takes the fight into the clinch.
Staal is trying to break the clinch but Fernandes is controlling him.
Staal is pressed up against the cage. Fernandes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Staal down to the mat. Staal avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Staal!
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Staal as he jumps to the side.

Staal drives through and clinches with Fernandes against the cage.
Andre Fernandes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Staal wants to get back to striking at distance but Fernandes won't allow it.

Staal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Staal throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A nice combination there by Staal.
Fernandes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Staal tries to avoid it but Fernandes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Staal to the ground. Staal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Staal throws a series of punches but Fernandes avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A frustrated look appears on Staal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fernandes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Staal gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Staal breaks the clinch.
Staal tries to land a front kick but Fernandes steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fernandes.
Staal lands a head kick!
Fernandes tries for a takedown but Staal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brooks Staal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Staal has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 24:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 24:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brooks Staal!