PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stanko Velilkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ira Stein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ira Stein told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Velilkov
vs
Stein

200 cm
23
249 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

198 cm
19
269 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Stanko Velilkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ira Stein!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stein throws a right hand that misses
and Velilkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stein throws a lazy uppercut
and Velilkov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Velilkov moves into the clinch.
Velilkov tries for a takedown. No joy.
A right handed body shot lands from Velilkov.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Velilkov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Velilkov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stanko Velilkov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Stein throws a poor cross that misses

and Velilkov counters with a single leg into guard. Stein didn't expect that.
Velilkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Stanko Velilkov just wasn't active enough.
Stein swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Velilkov counters by clinching up.
Stein stops a takedown attempt from Velilkov.

Velilkov is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. Stein can't fight it off and eventually Velilkov manages to take the fight to the floor. Stein looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stein can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Velilkov controls the pace.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Stanko Velilkov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Stein swings widly with a right hand

and Velilkov counters with a single leg into guard. Stein didn't expect that.
Velilkov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Velilkov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stein can do anything to dispel that myth.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stanko Velilkov.
Velilkov tries for a takedown but Stein sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanko Velilkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Velilkov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stein manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Velilkov is stalling in the full guard.
Velilkov pushes down on Stein's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanko Velilkov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stein throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Velilkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Velilkov moves into the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Velilkov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Velilkov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stein pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Velilkov is trying to trip Stein. He has hold of a leg but Stein is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Velilkov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Velilkov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Velilkov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Velilkov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Velilkov showed some decent athleticism there.
Velilkov controlling the action here.
Stein is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velilkov throwing shots but Stein is blocking nicely.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stanko Velilkov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Stein throws a left and a right that both miss
and Velilkov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stein is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Velilkov closes the distance and clinches.

Velilkov has picked Stein up - he's going for a ride! Velilkov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Velilkov works his way into full mount!
Stanko Velilkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov landing shots from mount.

Velilkov has control of Stein's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Stein regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Velilkov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Velilkov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Stein for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanko Velilkov dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stein bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Velilkov's head.
Stein misses with a shot to the body

and Velilkov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Velilkov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Velilkov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Stanko Velilkov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Stein misses with a jab to the body

and Velilkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein prevents a takedown attempt there.

Velilkov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stein uses from the top position.
Velilkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stein's guard.
Velilkov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stanko Velilkov.

Velilkov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stein sprawls well initially but Velilkov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ira Stein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Stein wants to control but Velilkov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stein takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Velilkov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Velilkov misses with a head shot. Stein uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stanko Velilkov.
Velilkov feints a jab promting Stein to slip. Velilkov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stein slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Velilkov scores with a kick to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Stein tries to keep at a distance but Velilkov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Velilkov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Velilkov successfully pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stein manages to get himself to full guard.
Velilkov controlling from the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stanko Velilkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Velilkov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 30:25
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:24
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stanko Velilkov!