PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ezra Ray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Athan Stamatis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stamatis has chosen Lose Yourself as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Ray
vs
Stamatis

192 cm
34
181 lbs
26 - 9 - 1

176 cm
27
184 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

$10
Pot Factory 40$ 159Q

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 26 - 9 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ezra Ray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Athan Stamatis!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Stamatis.
Ray avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Stamatis closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ray circles away.
Stamatis with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stamatis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stamatis pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ray is out of range and Stamatis settles back down.
Ray looks to throw the jab but Stamatis is out of range.

Stamatis closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ray's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ray bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stamatis's guard.
Ray won't allow Stamatis to sweep him here.
Ray postures up in Stamatis's guard and throws a big left but Stamatis blocks it.
Ray trying to control but Stamatis is working from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stamatis wants to sweep here but Ray controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Ezra Ray has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A low kick from Stamatis misses
and Ray makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stamatis throws a low kick, looking for Ray's leg but Ray calmly moves out of range.
Ray scores with a jab to the head.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stamatis.
Ray thows a body shot but no joy.
Stamatis keeps Ray at a distance using the push kick.
Ray blocks a head kick by Stamatis.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stamatis.
Stamatis fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ray.
Stamatis throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis throws a jab but it's blocked by Ray.
Stamatis misses with a hook.
Stamatis throws a leg kick but Ray moved away.
Ray takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stamatis slips a straight right by Ray.
Ray tries a head kick but it misses.
Stamatis fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ray.
Stamatis throws a leg kick
letting Ray counter with a right hand.
Ray keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Stamatis avoids the head kick by Ray.
Stamatis pushes Ray away with a front kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis scores with a nice body kick.
Stamatis wants to slow Ray down by chopping away at his legs.
Ray is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stamatis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ray.
Ray tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stamatis was well out of range. Poor timing from Ray.
Stamatis misses with a takedown

and Ray counters with a takedown into side control.
Ezra Ray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Athan Stamatis.
Stamatis tries to buck Ray off but Ray is having none of it.
Ray is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Ray wants to control but Stamatis is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stamatis is looking to reverse the position.
Ray trying to control the action but Stamatis is working from the bottom.
Stamatis isn't going anywhere.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stamatis is being controlled here.

We're going to have a standup here because Ezra Ray wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Stamatis throws a body kick that misses
and Ray counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Athan Stamatis will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ray fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stamatis steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ray. That one must have hurt.
Stamatis throws a body kick that misses.
Ray checks a leg kick nicely.
Ray is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Stamatis takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stamatis.
Ray checks the leg kick.
Good leg kick by Stamatis there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Stamatis walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ray checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A thudding body kick lands there by Stamatis!
Good standup being displayed there by Ray as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stamatis.
Stamatis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ray sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stamatis somewhat.
Stamatis shoots for a double leg takedown but Ray sprawls well. He's pushed Stamatis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ezra Ray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Athan Stamatis.
Ray ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stamatis moves away.
Stamatis checks a leg kick nicely.
Stamatis misses with a low kick.
Stamatis shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Stamatis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ray.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ray.
Athan Stamatis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ray avoids the body shot from Stamatis.
Stamatis tries to score with a low kick but Ray moves his leg out of the way.
Stamatis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ray tries to avoid it but Stamatis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ray to the ground. Ray escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stamatis connects with a jab.
Stamatis connects with a jab.
Stamatis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ray pinned against the cage. Ray gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ray lands a nice shot that snaps Stamatis's head back.
Stamatis finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ray checks a low kick from Stamatis.
Stamatis with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stamatis looks to score with a jab to the body but Ray is just out of range.
Stamatis throws a low kick, looking for Ray's leg but Ray calmly moves out of range.
Stamatis pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ray is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ray throws a head kick that half lands.
Stamatis walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ray checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Stamatis throws a sloppy head kick
and Ray counters with a stiff right hand.
Ray slips a straight right by Stamatis.
Stamatis motions for Ray to come forward. Stamatis throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ray fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stamatis manages to avoid it.
Stamatis throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Ray counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stamatis is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stamatis has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stamatis there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ray thows a body shot but no joy.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stamatis, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A low kick from Stamatis is predictable there
and Ray counters with a nice body kick.
Ray feints and then cracks Stamatis's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stamatis down.
Ray slips under a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big left from Ray misses.
Ray looks to throw the jab but Stamatis is out of range.
Stamatis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Athan Stamatis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stamatis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ray sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A low kick from Stamatis is predictable there
and Ray counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stamatis dives in and grabs Ray's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ray pushes down on Stamatis's head and hops out.
Stamatis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ray stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stamatis.
Ray stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ray wants it to stay on the feet.
Ezra Ray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Athan Stamatis.
Stamatis throws a leg kick
and Ray counters with a left to the body.
Stamatis tries to work over Ray's front leg with a kick but Ray checks it.
Stamatis tries for a takedown but Ray sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stamatis throws a right and a left that Ray avoids nicely.
Stamatis misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray checks the leg kick nicely there.
Stamatis throws a poor cross that misses
and Ray counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ray lets loose with a powerful body kick. Stamatis will feel that in the morning.
Stamatis misses with a kick to the body.
Ray throws a sloppy head kick and Stamatis moves out of range easily.
Ray throws a sloppy head kick and Stamatis moves out of range easily.
Ray connects with a nice looking jab.
Stamatis connects with an inside leg kick.
Ray has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stamatis.
Ray throws a head kick that misses.

Stamatis rushes Ray and presses him up against the cage.
Ezra Ray has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ray gets underhooks to prevent Stamatis's takedown attempt.
Ray lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stamatis backwards.
Ray blocking some punches.

Ray is fighting off a takedown attempt but Stamatis is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ray to the mat. Ray regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ray holds on and takes a little breather.
Ray looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stamatis is one step ahead there.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ray holds on and takes a little breather.
Ray manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Stamatis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ray sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ray trying to control but Stamatis is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stamatis sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Stamatis tries to roll over but Ray keeps him under control.
Ray not doing much here.
Stamatis is looking to improve his position.
Ezra Ray overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ray in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stamatis.
Ray trying to control but Stamatis is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Ezra Ray wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Ray looks to throw the jab but Stamatis is out of range.
A low kick from Stamatis is predictable there
and Ray counters with a good low kick that Stamatis was not able to check.
Stamatis misses with a low kick.
Ray misses with a straight right.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stamatis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ray counters with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Athan Stamatis.
I've got Stamatis winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Athan Stamatis!
Athan Stamatis decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.