PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Stone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Samuels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stone comes into the arena with THROW MONEY blaring out of the sound system. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Stone
vs
Samuels

191 cm
26
221 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

188 cm
26
212 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Conviction
Conviction

BUY ONE,GET TWO
BUY ONE,GET TWO

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 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rocky Stone!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam Samuels!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stone slaps away a takedown attempt from Samuels, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Samuels fails with a takedown attempt.
Rocky Stone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stone lands the left hand.
Samuels scores with a jab to the jaw.
Samuels walks into a left hand.

It looks like Sam Samuels has been cut.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stone!
Samuels throws a looping overhand right but Stone ducks down to avoid it.
Samuels tries for a takedown but Stone sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rocky Stone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Samuels.
Stone misses with a straight right.
Stone ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stone works over Samuels's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone throws a shot from downtown. Samuels moves away and avoids it.
Samuels shoots in for a takedown but Stone shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stone misses with a wild body shot.
Stone lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Samuels shoots for a double leg takedown but Stone sprawls well. He's pushed Samuels's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stone throws a hook but Samuels blocks it.
Samuels showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stone.
Samuels changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stone tries to avoid it but Samuels manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stone to the ground. Stone escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stone lands a jab.
Stone changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stone scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stone scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Samuels misses the shot to the body.
Stone bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Samuels's head backwards.
Stone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samuels manages to avoid it.
Stone lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Samuels takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels misses with a straight left.
Rocky Stone is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Samuels takes a swing at Stone's ribcage but misses.
Stone is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The fighters circling - Stone throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Samuels jabs Stone right on the nose. Stone blinks but takes it well.
Stone misses with a jab to the body

and Samuels counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Samuels missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Stone is defending against the submission attempts here by Samuels.
Samuels is thwarting Stone's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Samuels is working for a submission of some sort.

Samuels seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Stone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Samuels's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Stone moves away from the strike by Samuels.
Samuels avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samuels manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Samuels misses the target.
Stone walks into a straight right hand from Samuels.

It looks like Rocky Stone has been cut.
Stone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Samuels.
Samuels dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stone steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Samuels.
Stone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Samuels connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Samuels misses.
Stone takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stone throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Samuels to counter with a crisp jab.
Stone looks to score with a jab to the body but Samuels is just out of range.
Stone throws a hook but Samuels blocks it.
Stone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samuels manages to avoid it.
Stone works the jab nicely.
Samuels misses with a jab to the body
and Stone counters with a nice uppercut.
Samuels takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stone misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuels is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stone sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Samuels takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Stone throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A punch combination from Stone misses.
Samuels has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Samuels there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stone avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Samuels throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stone was covering up waiting for the punch and Samuels finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Samuels drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Samuels jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Samuels has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stone keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.
Samuels throws a big right hand that misses.
Samuels wants to control from the top but Stone keeps moving.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Samuels 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.
Stone keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Samuels throwing strikes from guard but Stone blocks nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stone throws a jab when Samuels was well out of range.
Stone misses with a wild body shot.
Stone scores with a jab.
Stone listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Samuels avoids the body shot from Stone.
Samuels works the jab nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rocky Stone is winning the standup battle so far.
Samuels moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice uppercut lands for Stone. That snapped Samuels's head back.
Stone loads up on a big right hand but Samuels slips the punch.

Samuels closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stone did well to prevent Samuels getting side control.

Samuels is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stone defends it well.
Samuels is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Stone!

Samuels jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Stone is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Stone and Samuels has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samuels working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Samuels takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
You can see the frustration on Stone's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Samuels wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Stone, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stone tries to escape but Samuels is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stone manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

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

Samuels is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stone is pressing down on Samuels's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels is looking to work some ground and pound but Stone has wrist control.

Samuels drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stone dives on top into guard.

Samuels is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Samuels being controlled here, momentarily.
Stone trying to control but Samuels is working from the bottom.
Samuels wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stone wants to control from the top but Samuels keeps moving.
Stone not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Samuels working for a triangle but Stone defends it easily.
Samuels being controlled here, momentarily.
Stone trying to control but Samuels is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Samuels working for a triangle but Stone defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Rocky Stone did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Stone's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stone lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Stone has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stone there as he acknowledges the shot.
Samuels with a nice cross.
Samuels with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stone to score with a decent uppercut.
Stone misses with a wild body shot.
Samuels slips under a jab.
A shot to the body from Stone misses

and Samuels counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samuels drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stone manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Samuels has Stone in his guard.
Stone won't allow Samuels to sweep him here.
Samuels is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Stone trying to control the position from guard on top but Samuels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Samuels is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Stone's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Stone has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Samuels to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Stone is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Samuels pulls down on the head and he's put Stone to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Sam Samuels!
Sam Samuels is the new light heavyweight champion!