PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Athan Stamatis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avon Stringer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stamatis comes into the arena with Lose Yourself blaring out of the sound system. Stringer comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Loner kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Avon Stringer has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stamatis
vs
Stringer

176 cm
28
184 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

181 cm
33
178 lbs
34 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

$10
Pot Factory 40$ 159Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Athan Stamatis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Avon Stringer!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stamatis connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stringer moves out of range of the body kick.
A low kick from Stamatis is predictable there
and Stringer counters with a leg kick.
Stringer checks a low kick from Stamatis.
Stamatis shoots for a double leg takedown but Stringer sprawls well. He's pushed Stamatis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Stringer. That snapped Stamatis's head back.
Stamatis fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Stringer is out of range.
Stringer misses the shot to the body.
Stringer's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Stringer duly obliges.
Stringer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stamatis was well out of range. Poor timing from Stringer.
Stamatis's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stringer connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stamatis scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stringer throws a head kick but Stamatis moves out of range.
Stringer throws a front kick that sends Stamatis stumbling back into the cage.
Stringer misses the shot to the body.
Stringer cracks the inside of Stamatis's front leg.
Stamatis misses with a hook.
Stamatis looks to land a right hand but Stringer moved out of range.
Stringer lands a nice hook to Stamatis's body. Stamatis takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stamatis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stamatis goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Stamatis just misses with a punch to the body.
Stringer cracks Stamatis with a right hand to the side of the head.
Stringer fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stamatis has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Stamatis ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stringer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stamatis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stamatis just misses with a punch to the body.
Stamatis avoids the body shot from Stringer.
Stringer connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stringer on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stringer slips a jab from Stamatis.
A jab from Stringer finds it's way through Stamatis's defenses.
Stamatis misses with a few strikes there.
Stringer lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
An inside leg kick lands from Stringer.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stamatis avoids the body shot from Stringer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stamatis.
The crowd cheers as Stamatis lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stringer doesn't seem phased though.
Stamatis throws a lazy uppercut
and Stringer counters with a nice body shot.
Stamatis throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stamatis checks the leg kick nicely there.
Stringer on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stamatis cracks the inside of Stringer's front leg.
Stamatis takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stringer attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stamatis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stringer.
Stringer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stringer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stamatis tries to avoid it but Stringer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stamatis to the ground. Stamatis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stringer avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Stamatis - that will leave a mark!
Stringer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Stamatis rather than just go for the knockout.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stamatis, right into the meat.
Stamatis ducks under a wild hook from Stringer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stringer misses with a wild body shot.
Good leg kick by Stamatis there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A head kick misses from Stamatis.
Stamatis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stringer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stamatis counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stringer's knee momentarily.
Stamatis scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Stamatis tries to work over Stringer's front leg with a kick but Stringer checks it.
Stringer tries a head kick but it misses.
Stamatis lands with a good body shot.
Stamatis digs a good hook to Stringer's body.
Stringer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Stringer looks gassed!
Stamatis throws the kick towards the body but Stringer avoids it.
Stamatis throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A cross from Stamatis lands.
Stringer sizes up Stamatis with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Stringer checks the leg kick.
Stamatis lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stringer throws a shot from downtown. Stamatis moves away and avoids it.
Stamatis lands with a nice body kick.
Stringer connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stamatis throws a leg kick that misses.
Stringer checks the leg kick.
Stringer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stamatis was well out of range. Poor timing from Stringer.
Stringer fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stamatis checks it well.
Stringer is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Stamatis had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Stringer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stamatis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut there from Stamatis.
Stamatis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Stamatis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stringer.
Stamatis lands a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stamatis throws a head kick that misses
and Stringer counters with a low kick, right behind Stamatis 's knee.
Stringer thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stamatis if he has to take too many more of those.
Stringer looks to land a left hand but Stamatis moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Athan Stamatis will probably get the nod.
That's time! Stamatis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stamatis tries to land a leg kick but Stringer saw it coming and moves away.
Stringer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stringer ducks under a wild hook from Stamatis.
Stamatis misses with an uppercut. Stringer saw that one coming.
Stamatis dives in and grabs Stringer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stringer pushes down on Stamatis's head and hops out.
Stringer paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Stamatis throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stringer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stringer lands a jab to Stamatis's midsection.
Stringer tries to clinch up
and Stamatis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stamatis tries for a takedown but Stringer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stamatis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stringer.
A head kick misses from Stringer.
Stringer lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stamatis tries to land a front kick but Stringer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Stamatis throws a leg kick but Stringer moved away.
Stamatis takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stamatis gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stringer.
Stamatis throws a jab when Stringer was well out of range.
Stringer throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stamatis stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Stamatis throws a leg kick
and Stringer counters with a slapping leg kick.
Stamatis lands a high kick!
Stamatis with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stringer to score with a decent uppercut.
Stamatis throws a leg kick
and Stringer counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stringer tried to score with a low kick but Stamatis checks it.
Stamatis avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A leg kick checked by Stringer.
Stamatis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stamatis thows a body shot but no joy.
Stringer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stamatis moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stringer tries to bum rush Stamatis with a series of wild strikes but Stamatis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stamatis throws a front kick that sends Stringer stumbling back into the cage.
Stringer uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stamatis.
Stamatis lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stamatis throws a big shot that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stringer, right into the meat.
Stamatis scores with a jab to the head.
Stringer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stamatis was well out of range. Poor timing from Stringer.
Stamatis is looking to chop away at Stringer's legs.
Stamatis moves out of range of the leg kick from Stringer.
Stringer scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stamatis wants to land a leg kick but Stringer is out of range.
Stringer throws a head kick that Stamatis semi-blocks.
Stamatis misses the shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Stamatis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis throws a jab when Stringer was well out of range.
Stamatis misses with a kick to the body.
Stringer takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Stringer misses the shot to the body.
Stamatis fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stringer.
Stringer throws a body punch but Stamatis moves out of range.
Stamatis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Stamatis misses with a series of wild punches.
Stringer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stamatis keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Stringer shoots in looking for a takedown. Stamatis tries to sprawl out of it but Stringer keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stamatis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stamatis tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stringer was well out of range. Poor timing from Stamatis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Stamatis as he connects with a hook.
Stamatis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stringer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stamatis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stringer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stamatis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stamatis misses with a leg kick
enabling Stringer to counter with a crisp jab.

Stamatis shoots in and bounces Stringer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Stringer wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stamatis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Athan Stamatis will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stringer ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stamatis walks forward, straight into a front kick from Stringer.
Stamatis is looking to score with low kicks.
Stringer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stamatis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stamatis connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stringer swings for the body but Stamatis moves out of range.
Stringer with a jab.
Stringer checks a leg kick.
Stringer just misses with a punch to the body.
Stringer blocks a head kick by Stamatis.
Stamatis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stringer.
Stringer's corner calls for a 1-2. Stringer obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A punch combination from Stringer misses.
Athan Stamatis is winning the standup battle so far.
Stamatis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stringer.
Stringer scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
An inside leg kick from Stamatis misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stringer explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Stamatis does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Stamatis thows a body shot but no joy.
Stringer with a jab.
Stamatis shoots in and drives through. Stringer sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stamatis wants to slow Stringer down by chopping away at his legs.
Stringer takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stringer throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Stringer moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Stringer thows a body shot but no joy.
Stamatis closes the distance and clinches up with Stringer, looking for a takedown. Stamatis pushes Stringer against the cage but Stringer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stringer throws a series of strikes that have Stamatis backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stringer misses with a few strikes there.
A shot to the liver by Stringer. Beautiful body shot.
Stamatis connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis misses with a right hand
and Stringer counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Stamatis has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stamatis there as he acknowledges the shot.

Stamatis is rocked!
Stamatis throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stringer makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Oh Stamatis is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stamatis swings widly with a right hand
and Stringer counters with a nice uppercut.
Stringer with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stringer swings for the body but Stamatis moves out of range.
Stamatis avoids the body shot from Stringer.
Stringer lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stringer connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stringer throws out a powerful jab.
Stringer loads up on a big right hand but Stamatis slips the punch.
Stamatis fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Athan Stamatis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stamatis takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Stringer thows a body shot but no joy.
Stringer lands with a nice body punch.
Stamatis walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stringer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stringer ducks under a wild hook from Stamatis.
Stamatis takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stringer throws a body punch but Stamatis moves out of range.
Stringer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stamatis moves away.
Stringer throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Stamatis to counter with a crisp jab.
Stamatis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stringer lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stringer checks a low kick from Stamatis.
Stamatis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stringer.
Stamatis throws a leg kick but Stringer checks it.
Stamatis gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stringer.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Stringer checks a leg kick.
Stringer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stamatis pivots, looking for a leg kick but Stringer is out of range and Stamatis settles back down.
Stamatis throws a right hand that misses
and Stringer makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stringer.
Stringer checks a low kick from Stamatis.
Stringer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stamatis was well out of range. Poor timing from Stringer.
Stamatis seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stamatis smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Stringer jabs at Stamatis's body.
Stringer walks into a straight right hand from Stamatis.

Stringer has closed the distance and engaged Stamatis in a clinch.
Stringer working aggressively here.
Stamatis looking to throw knees to the head but Stringer is blocking nicely.
Stalling in the clinch from Stringer.
Stringer lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A shot in the inside from Stringer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stringer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stringer lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avon Stringer really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stamatis misses with a hook.
Nice body punch from Stamatis.
Stringer drops his hands momentarily and Stamatis takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Stamatis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stringer can pounce on him.
Stamatis lands a nice leg kick that just misses Stringer's sensitive parts.
Stamatis connects with the punch.
Stringer ducks under a wild hook from Stamatis.
Stamatis doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stringer counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stringer connects with a body shot.
Stamatis misses with a lunging right hand
and Stringer makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stringer keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stringer misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stamatis takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stringer connects with a body shot.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stringer. Stamatis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stringer moves out of range of the body kick.
Stringer looks to land a left hand but Stamatis moved out of range nicely.
Stamatis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stringer.
Stringer fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stringer blocks a head kick by Stamatis.
Stringer feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stamatis's calf.
Stringer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stamatis.
Stamatis fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stringer needs to keep his hands up - Stamatis had a free shot at his head there.
Stringer cracks Stamatis with a good jab.
Stringer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stringer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stamatis looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stamatis takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stamatis slips under a jab from Stringer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stringer misses with a body shot.
Stringer dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stamatis. That did some damage!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stamatis lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Stamatis blocks a head kick by Stringer.
Stamatis slips under a jab.
Stamatis feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stringer's calf.
Stringer looks for the body kick but Stamatis saw that one coming.
An inside leg kick from Stamatis misses.
Stamatis wants to land a leg kick but Stringer is out of range.
Stamatis ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stringer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Stamatis looks for the body kick but Stringer saw that one coming.
Stringer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stringer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stringer feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stamatis's calf.
Stringer fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stamatis checks it well.
Stamatis throws a leg kick but Stringer sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stringer throws a leg kick which misses Stamatis's front leg but catches the back leg as Stamatis tries to avoid it.

Stringer drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stamatis seems keen to control Stringer's posture.
Stringer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stringer stands and throws Stamatis's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stringer cracks Stamatis with a big right hand but Stamatis just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Stamatis wants to control but Stringer postures up.
Stringer landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Stamatis is trying to improve his position.
Stamatis wants to control but Stringer postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stringer's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stamatis is looking for a sweep. Stringer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stringer lands a nice short elbow.
Stamatis wants to get back to full guard.
Stringer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stringer tries to pass to full mount but Stamatis defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stringer slips a nice elbow through Stamatis's hands, connecting with Stamatis's forehead.
Stringer with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avon Stringer dominated that fourth round.
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. This is the final round!

Stringer missing with a left hand there. Stamatis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stamatis with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stringer digs a good hook to Stamatis's body.
Stamatis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Stringer connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stamatis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stringer.
Stamatis looks to throw the jab but Stringer is out of range.
Stamatis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stringer's waist but Stringer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stamatis off to one side.
Stringer fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stamatis has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Stringer throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stringer misses with a double jab.
Stamatis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stringer.
Stringer lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stringer connects with a right hand. Stamatis shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stamatis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stringer.
Stringer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stamatis can pounce on him.
Stringer scores with a jab to the body.

Stamatis drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Stamatis throwing strikes but Stringer manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Stringer throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Stamatis is looking for a sweep.
Stamatis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Stringer has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Stamatis is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Stringer in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stringer off and has taken his back!
Stamatis keeps control of the position as Stringer tries to break free.
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!
Stamatis wants to control but Stringer is keeping busy.
Stringer trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Stamatis controlling well, preventing Stringer from escaping the position.
Stringer covering up well under a series of strikes from Stamatis.
Avon Stringer has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stamatis looking for the RNC.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Stamatis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stringer is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Stamatis lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Stamatis tries to keep control of the position but Stringer is staying busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis doesn't have the hooks in and Stringer manages to turn into his guard.
Stringer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stringer is looking to work some ground and pound but Stamatis has wrist control.
Stringer wants to pass the guard but Stamatis is keeping the position.
Stamatis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stamatis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stringer won't allow Stamatis to sweep him here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stamatis wants to stand and escape but Stringer is having none of it.
Stringer wants to control from the top but Stamatis keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Athan Stamatis showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stamatis has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 48:48
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Athan Stamatis!
Athan Stamatis is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Athan Stamatis made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.