PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Sharp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Torsten Stalhandske (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stalhandske has chosen Jean Sibelius - Finlandia as his entrance music. Stalhandske has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Alex Sharp could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Torsten Stalhandske's chin.

Sharp
vs
Stalhandske

185 cm
28
217 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

188 cm
27
196 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Sharp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Torsten Stalhandske!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sharp tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stalhandske swivels and escapes.
Stalhandske looks gassed!
Stalhandske stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stalhandske wants it to stay on the feet.
Sharp tries for a takedown but Stalhandske sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Sharp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalhandske swats away the attempt to clinch by Sharp.
Sharp shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stalhandske pinned against the cage. Stalhandske gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sharp fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sharp shoots for a takedown but Stalhandske saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stalhandske throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sharp clobbers Stalhandske with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Sharp rushes Stalhandske and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Stalhandske breaks from the clinch.
Sharp tries to clinch but Stalhandske is having none of it.
Sharp throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharp shoots for a takedown but Stalhandske saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sharp wants to clinch up but Stalhandske keeps it at a distance.
Sharp fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stalhandske avoids it really well and circles away.
Stalhandske misses with a shot to the body
and Sharp counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sharp shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stalhandske as he avoids it easily.
Sharp tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stalhandske sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sharp somewhat.
Stalhandske chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Stalhandske throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sharp throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sharp tries to clinch there but Stalhandske circles away.
Horrible takedown by Sharp or perhaps it was just good defense by Stalhandske which made him look bad.
Sharp throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharp fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jab, jab by Stalhandske - just one landing.
Sharp throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stalhandske's waist but Stalhandske gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sharp off to one side.
Stalhandske lands a nice shot to the body.

Sharp scores with a takedown into Stalhandske's guard.
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!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sharp won't allow Stalhandske to sweep him here.
Sharp pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stalhandske is keeping the position for now.
Sharp wants to control from the top but Stalhandske keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalhandske can't keep his opponent in guard - Sharp advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sharp tries to pass to full mount but Stalhandske defends it.
Sharp wants to take a breather but Stalhandske is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharp wants to free his trapped foot but Stalhandske is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Sharp is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sharp wants to stand up but Stalhandske is controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stalhandske won't allow Sharp to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Sharp dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stalhandske defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sharp.
Sharp swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sharp misses with a series of wild punches.
Sharp fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sharp shoots in but Stalhandske avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Alex Sharp is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sharp tries to clinch up.
Sharp misses with a wild combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sharp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Sharp scores with a takedown into Stalhandske's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sharp is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stalhandske is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stalhandske has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharp is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sharp wants to stand up but Stalhandske is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Sharp has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Stalhandske is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Sharp.
Sharp wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sharp wants to control but Stalhandske postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharp tries to bench press Stalhandske off him but Stalhandske keeps the position.
Sharp struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alex Sharp.
Sharp fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Sharp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sharp swinging wildly here.
Sharp tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stalhandske swivels and escapes.
Sharp doesn't manage to clinch there - Stalhandske circles away.
Sharp will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sharp shoots in for a takedown but Stalhandske shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stalhandske scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sharp shoots for a double leg takedown but Stalhandske sprawls well. He's pushed Sharp's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stalhandske scores with a spinning back kick!
Sharp lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stalhandske circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Sharp dominated that second round.
That's time! Sharp's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stalhandske keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sharp fails with a takedown attempt.
Sharp looks to land a combination but Stalhandske avoids it well.
No luck for Sharp with that takedown attempt.
Sharp pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sharp takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Stalhandske lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sharp misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Sharp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sharp shoots and misses
and Stalhandske counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sharp's knee momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stalhandske connects with a leg kick. Sharp looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sharp changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stalhandske tries to avoid it but Sharp manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stalhandske to the ground. Stalhandske escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stalhandske leaves Sharp with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalhandske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sharp moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sharp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stalhandske swings for the body but Sharp moves out of range.
Sharp misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stalhandske misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Sharp clinches up against the cage.
Sharp tries to pull guard but Stalhandske holds him up against the cage and eventually Sharp drops back down to his feet.
Sharp wants to get back to striking at distance but Stalhandske won't allow it.
Stalhandske on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Stalhandske breaks the clinch.
Torsten Stalhandske has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalhandske throws a sloppy head kick and Sharp moves out of range easily.
Sharp tries to clinch there but Stalhandske circles away.
Sharp fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stalhandske looks to land a right hand but Sharp moved out of range.
Sharp misses with a double jab.
Sharp shoots in and drives through. Stalhandske sprawls well.
Sharp misses with an uppercut. Stalhandske saw that one coming.
Sharp scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stalhandske doesn't seem bothered though.
Sharp doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stalhandske cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stalhandske thows a body shot but no joy.
Stalhandske swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sharp throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sharp ducks under a wild hook from Stalhandske.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharp fails to land the takedown.
Alex Sharp is winning the standup battle so far.
Sharp misses with a two punch combination.
Sharp shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sharp shoots in looking for a takedown. Stalhandske tries to sprawl out of it but Sharp keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stalhandske manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stalhandske scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Torsten Stalhandske is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sharp avoids the head kick by Stalhandske.
Sharp shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stalhandske defends it nicely.
Sharp closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stalhandske circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalhandske connects with a leg kick. Sharp looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Stalhandske defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sharp.
Sharp fails to land with a series of punches.
Sharp on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stalhandske. Stalhandske obviously looking to wear him down.
Sharp throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stalhandske's waist but Stalhandske gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sharp off to one side.
Sharp misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stalhandske leaves Sharp with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sharp throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stalhandske.
Stalhandske defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sharp.
Sharp keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stalhandske misses with a kick to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Stalhandske. No joy for Sharp on that attempt.
Alex Sharp is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sharp ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stalhandske moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alex Sharp.
Well Sharp 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Sharp!