PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eric Stajin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Wapner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joseph Wapner will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Stajin
vs
Wapner

175 cm
24
181 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

180 cm
20
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eric Stajin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joseph Wapner!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stajin avoids the head kick by Wapner.
Wapner wants to clinch up but Stajin keeps it at a distance.
A shot to de liver by Stajin. Beautiful body shot.
Wapner tries to clinch but Stajin is having none of it.
Stajin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Wapner.

Stajin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wapner tries to bench press Stajin off him but Stajin keeps the position.
Stajin tries to score with some ground and pound. Wapner controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wapner is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Stajin asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ground and pound from Stajin seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Wapner tries to improve position but can't.
Stajin working the ground and pound from side control.
Stajin prevents Wapner from escaping the position.
Stajin is putting a hurting on Wapner here, landing some big shots from side control.
Wapner dodges the ground and pound from Stajin.
Stajin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stajin throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Stajin.
Stajin trying to control the position but Wapner is working away.
Wapner is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Stajin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Stajin in side control, throwing shots but Wapner defends.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wapner throws a head kick but Stajin moves out of range.

Stajin tries to keep at a distance but Wapner has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stajin can't get the takedown.
Wapner landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Wapner lands an elbow inside.

Stajin drags the fight down to the ground.

Wapner decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stajin, up you get!
Wapner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Wapner moves into the clinch.
Stajin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wapner prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Stajin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stajin avoiding damage as Wapner throws knees to the body.
Wapner prevents the takedown attempt.
Stajin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wapner prevents it.
Stajin is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wapner lands a damaging elbow.
Stajin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wapner lands a nice knee to the body.
Stajin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Wapner looking to throw knees to the head but Stajin is blocking nicely.
Wapner misses with an elbow strike.
Wapner with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stajin wants a takedown but no success here.

Stajin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stajin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Stajin has a closed guard, preventing Wapner from standing up.

Wapner stands and steps away. Stajin gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Stajin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wapner manages to avoid it.

Stajin rushes Wapner and presses him up against the cage.
Wapner lands a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A knee to the head by Wapner.
Stajin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wapner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Wapner connects with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stajin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Wapner misses with a head kick.
Stajin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Wapner lands a head kick!
Wapner with a hook.
Stajin on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Wapner slaps away a takedown attempt from Stajin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Wapner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wapner clinches but Stajin breaks the clinch
and Stajin counters with a straight right hand.
Stajin misses the shot to the body.
Wapner throws a sloppy head kick and Stajin moves out of range easily.
Wapner misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Stajin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wapner prevents the takedown attempt.
Wapner lands a damaging elbow.
Wapner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Stajin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wapner fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stajin fails with a takedown attempt.
Wapner pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Wapner closes the distance and clinches.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Wapner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wapner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Stajin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wapner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stajin takes an elbow to the temple.
Wapner lands an elbow inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wapner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wapner lands an elbow that stopped Stajin in his tracks for a moment.
Wapner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wapner lands an elbow inside that Stajin shrugs off.
Wapner lands a damaging elbow.
Wapner lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Wapner dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stajin swats away the attempt to clinch by Wapner.
Wapner lands with a kick to the temple. Stajin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Wapner throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Stajin.
Stajin blocks a head kick by Wapner.
Wapner wants to clinch up but Stajin keeps it at a distance.
Wapner is looking to clinch.
Wapner cracks the inside of Stajin's front leg.
Wapner moves in looking to clinch but Stajin pushes him off.
Stajin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stajin shoots in for a double leg but Wapner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wapner lands a head kick!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wapner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stajin.
Wapner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stajin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wapner scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wapner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stajin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wapner misses with a combination
and Stajin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Wapner throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Wapner tries to clinch up

and Stajin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Wapner's guard now.
Wapner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stajin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wapner is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Stajin won't allow Wapner to get back to his feet.
Stajin is looking to work some ground and pound but Wapner has wrist control.
Stajin won't allow Wapner to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stajin wants to pass the guard but Wapner is keeping the position.
Stajin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wapner's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wapner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wapner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Stajin circles away from the clinch attempt
and Stajin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Wapner thinking.
Wapner tries to clinch but Stajin moves away

and Stajin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wapner is refusing to be controlled, as Stajin sits in half guard.
Stajin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stajin slows the pace down in half guard.
Wapner is not content to let Stajin control the position.
Wapner manages to get to full guard.
Stajin 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.
Stajin postures up in Wapner's guard and throws a big left but Wapner blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stajin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stajin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stajin postures up in Wapner's guard and throws a big left but Wapner blocks it.
Wapner wants to stand and escape but Stajin is having none of it.
Stajin wants to control from the top but Wapner keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wapner can do anything to dispel that myth.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stajin cracks Wapner with a good jab.
Wapner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stajin.
Stajin takes a kick to the side of the head.

Wapner rushes Stajin and presses him up against the cage.
Stajin wants a takedown but no success here.
Wapner with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Stajin jumps guard.
Wapner preventing the sweep.
Wapner has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stajin is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Stajin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A head kick from Wapner lands but Stajin takes it in his stride.
Stajin with a hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wapner throws a sloppy head kick

and Stajin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Wapner's guard now.
Stajin trying to control but Wapner is working from the bottom.
Stajin prevents Wapner from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Stajin dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Wapner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wapner throws a sloppy head kick and Stajin moves out of range easily.
Stajin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wapner moves away.
Stajin blocks a head kick by Wapner.
Stajin misses with a straight right.
Wapner throws an overhand right that lands on Stajin's shoulder, as Stajin tries to avoid the shot.
A jab from Stajin misses.
Wapner slips a straight right by Stajin.
Wapner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wapner lands a nice looking body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wapner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Joseph Wapner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick from Wapner lands but Stajin takes it in his stride.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Wapner.
Stajin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wapner's waist but Wapner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stajin off to one side.
Joseph Wapner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stajin misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wapner throws a head kick that Stajin semi-blocks.
Wapner plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wapner goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wapner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wapner throws a nice head kick!
Wapner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wapner buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wapner throws a sloppy head kick and Stajin moves out of range easily.
Wapner throws a head kick that half lands.
Stajin takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Wapner moves into the clinch.
Stajin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wapner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stajin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stajin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Stajin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stajin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stajin managing to block the knees to the body from Wapner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stajin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Wapner gets underhooks to prevent Stajin's takedown attempt.
Wapner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stajin's defenses.
Wapner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wapner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Wapner landing knees to the body.
Wapner lands a damaging elbow.
Wapner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Wapner lands an elbow that stopped Stajin in his tracks for a moment.
Stajin tries for a takedown but Wapner manages to get underhooks.
Stajin takes an elbow to the temple.
Wapner lands a nice elbow.
Stajin takes an elbow to the temple.
Stajin wants a takedown.
Nice elbow from Wapner.
Wapner lands a good knee to the midsection. Stajin won't want to take too many of those.
Wapner lands an elbow inside that Stajin shrugs off.

Stajin wants the takedown. Wapner is fighting it off but Stajin persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Wapner's guard against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wapner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stajin.
Stajin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stajin prevents Wapner from getting back to his feet.
Stajin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stajin throwing strikes from guard but Wapner blocks nicely.
Wapner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stajin working some strikes from top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Good exchange - Wapner coming out on top.
A head kick misses from Wapner.

Stajin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wapner is not content to let Stajin control the position.
Wapner wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Stajin wants to control but Wapner is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Wapner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Eric Stajin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stajin wants to control but Wapner is keeping him busy.
Stajin cracks Wapner with a big elbow.
Stajin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wapner keeps working.

Wapner sneaks out the side door and pushes Stajin away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Left hook, right uppercut from Wapner.
Joseph Wapner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wapner lands a head kick!
Wapner wants to clinch
and Stajin counters with a one-two to the body.

Wapner moves into range and clinches up with Stajin.
Wapner lands a damaging elbow.
Wapner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Wapner trying to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Wapner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wapner has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Wapner!