PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hiranuka Stakanu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghengis Congo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Stakanu might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Oy, To Ne Vecher. Congo has chosen Ghostface - After the Smoke is Clear as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stakanu
vs
Congo

184 cm
31
280 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

196 cm
30
277 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hiranuka Stakanu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ghengis Congo!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Dean Styles and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stakanu moves out of range as Congo strikes.
Congo sizes up Stakanu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Congo looks to land a right hand but Stakanu moved out of range.
Stakanu blocks the body kick.
Stakanu misses with a right hand
and Congo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stakanu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Congo with a hook.
Congo misses with a kick to the body.
Stakanu throws an off balance right hand
enabling Congo to counter with a crisp jab.
Congo slips a jab and a cross from Stakanu.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Congo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Congo misses with the combination.
Stakanu tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Congo is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Congo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stakanu doesn't seem phased though.
Stakanu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Congo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A telegraphed right hand from Stakanu misses the target.
Congo thumps Stakanu with a low kick.
Congo misses with a straight right.
Congo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stakanu misses with a right hand
and Congo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stakanu misses with a body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Congo throws out a powerful jab.
Decent striking displayed by Stakanu there.
Congo is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stakanu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Congo.
Stakanu looks to land a left hand but Congo moved out of range nicely.
Congo throws a head kick but Stakanu moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Congo as Stakanu shoots in.
Congo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stakanu on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Stakanu throws a jab but it's blocked by Congo.
Stakanu missing with a left hand there. Congo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice body kick there by Congo.
Stakanu is breathing heavily.
Congo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Congo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Stakanu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stakanu blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Congo forces Stakanu back against the cage and clinches.
Stakanu swings wildly with an uppercut but Congo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stakanu tries for a takedown but Congo manages to get underhooks.
Congo's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Congo.
Congo working Stakanu over with knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Congo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Congo trying to land knees to the body.
Congo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stakanu is defending well for now.
Stakanu is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Congo's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Congo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stakanu avoids it.
Congo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Stakanu.
Stakanu blocks a body shot from Congo.
Congo cracks Stakanu with a nice body shot.
Congo lands with a left to the head.
Congo has Stakanu pushed against the cage.
Congo stops a takedown attempt from Stakanu.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiranuka Stakanu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stakanu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Congo's elbow.
Stakanu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Congo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stakanu looks to land a right hand but Congo moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghengis Congo 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.

Stakanu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Congo is looking to clinch but Stakanu is avoiding it.
Stakanu moves out of range of the strikes.
Congo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stakanu was well out of range. Poor timing from Congo.
Stakanu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Congo.
Stakanu on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Congo just misses with a punch to the body.
Stakanu looks to land a combination but Congo avoids it well.
Stakanu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nice body punch from Congo.
Congo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Congo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Congo was well out of range. Poor timing from Stakanu.
Congo stuffs the takedown.
Congo lands a right hook to the body.
Stakanu gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Congo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ghengis Congo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Congo scoring well with a low kick there.
Congo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stakanu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A left and a right from Congo both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Hiranuka Stakanu has been cut.
Congo connects with a body shot.
Congo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stakanu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Congo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stakanu manages to avoid it.
Congo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stakanu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Congo clinches up against the cage.
Stakanu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Come on Congo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Congo continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Stakanu is trying to push Congo away but Congo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Congo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Congo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Congo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stakanu.
Congo has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Congo has Stakanu pushed against the cage.
Congo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Congo tries to throw a body punch but Stakanu avoids it by throwing Congo back against the cage.
Stakanu struggles to land a body shot inside as Congo controls his hands.
Stakanu wants a takedown but no success here.
Congo lands a knee to the body.
Stakanu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Congo lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Congo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Congo misses with a body punch.
Congo being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stakanu avoiding damage as Congo throws knees to the body.
Congo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Congo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Congo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stakanu's efforts to push away.
Stakanu managing to block the knees to the body from Congo.
Congo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Congo gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Congo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stakanu is defending well for now.
Congo tries to land knees in the clinch but Stakanu avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghengis Congo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hiranuka Stakanu's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Stakanu throws a jab when Congo was well out of range.
Stakanu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Congo moves away.
Congo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stakanu. Stakanu circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Stakanu scores a takedown into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Congo is looking to improve his position but Stakanu isn't that keen on the idea.
Poor strikes thrown by Stakanu there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Stakanu goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Congo is on top in guard.

Congo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stakanu has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Congo has managed to get both his arms back between Stakanu's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanu 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.
Congo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Congo slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Stakanu.
Stakanu wants to control but Congo is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stakanu wants to improve his position but Congo is controlling well.
Congo is controlling the pace.
Stakanu throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Stakanu actively working from the bottom here.
Congo trying to control the pace.
Stakanu wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Congo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Stakanu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stakanu wants to get back to full guard.
Stakanu is working hard here to advance position.
Congo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stakanu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Still in half guard, Congo seems content to control.
Congo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stakanu does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ghengis Congo hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A thudding body kick lands there by Congo!
Ghengis Congo seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Congo tests Stakanu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Congo lands a right hook to the body.
Ghengis Congo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Congo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Congo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Congo scores with a jab to the head.
Hiranuka Stakanu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Congo is looking to clinch but Stakanu is avoiding it.
Stakanu blocks a head kick by Congo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Congo cracks a nice hook into Stakanu's ribs.
Stakanu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Congo.
Congo tries to close the distance and clinch but Stakanu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ghengis Congo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Congo 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ghengis Congo!
Ghengis Congo looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Popeye gives me biiiig muscles... BOOYAH!!!'.