PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Athan Stamatis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abe Reles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stamatis comes to the cage accompanied by Lose Yourself. Reles comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bone Thugs N Harmony - Mo' Murda kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Abe Reles has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stamatis
vs
Reles

176 cm
28
184 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

178 cm
24
182 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

$10

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 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Athan Stamatis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abe Reles!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stamatis lands with a hook. Reles tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stamatis slips under a jab from Reles.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stamatis.
Reles misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stamatis.
Stamatis on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stamatis keeps Reles at a distance using the push kick.
Reles takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stamatis with a poor takedown

and Reles counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reles tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stamatis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Stamatis is trying to get back to full guard.
Reles wants to take a breather but Stamatis is having none of it.
Reles is thwarting Stamatis's attempts to control the position.
Reles landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stamatis is looking to improve his position.
Reles is taking a breather. Stamatis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reles wants to take a breather but Stamatis is having none of it.
Reles not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reles thows a huge punch but Stamatis dodges it nicely.
Reles wants to free his trapped foot but Stamatis is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Reles not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Reles misses with a head shot. Stamatis uses the momentum to regain guard.
Reles is looking to work some ground and pound but Stamatis has wrist control.
Reles postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stamatis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stamatis wants to sweep but no luck.
Stamatis has momentary wrist control but Reles slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reles wants to control from the top but Stamatis keeps moving.
Stamatis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Stamatis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Reles throwing strikes from guard but Stamatis blocks nicely.
Reles is looking to work some ground and pound but Stamatis has wrist control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stamatis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Reles defends it easily.

Stamatis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reles doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reles manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Reles controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reles wants to control from the top but Stamatis keeps moving.
Reles throws a big right hand that misses.
Reles trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stamatis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reles lands a couple of digs.
Reles trying to control the position from guard on top but Stamatis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stamatis trying to control the position.

Stamatis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Reles can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Reles working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reles is working Stamatis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Stamatis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Reles trying to control but Stamatis is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Stamatis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stamatis is working hard here to advance position.
Reles throws a big elbow that misses.
Reles throwing strikes but missing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reles throws a big elbow that misses.

Stamatis is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Reles is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stamatis is controlling Reles's posture.
Reles throws a strike but Stamatis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Stamatis throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abe Reles dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reles swings widly with a right hand
and Stamatis counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jab, jab by Stamatis - just one landing.
Reles misses with a double jab.
Reles connects with the punch.
Stamatis lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stamatis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reles on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stamatis. Stamatis obviously looking to wear him down.
Reles throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reles swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stamatis throws a nice outside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Reles misses the target.
Stamatis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Reles.
Stamatis tests Reles's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reles on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stamatis. Stamatis obviously looking to wear him down.
A slow jab from Reles misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reles moves in looking to clinch but Stamatis pushes him off.
Reles throws a lazy uppercut
and Stamatis counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice shot lands for Stamatis.
Stamatis lands a leg kick that knocks Reles off balance momentarily.
Stamatis throws a half hearted mid kick.
Reles misses with a series of wild punches.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stamatis.
Reles pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stamatis lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Stamatis looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stamatis wants to control from the top but Reles keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stamatis tries to free his leg and advance position but Reles is retaining full guard.
Reles keeping moving, preventing Stamatis from controlling successfully.
Reles wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Athan Stamatis wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Reles throws out a loose jab but Stamatis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reles's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stamatis under the eye.
Athan Stamatis is winning the standup battle so far.
Reles throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stamatis's waist but Stamatis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Reles off to one side.
Reles throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stamatis stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reles stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stamatis.
Reles doesn't manage to clinch there - Stamatis circles away.
Stamatis lets loose with a powerful body kick. Reles will feel that in the morning.
A nice inside leg kick there by Stamatis. That's going to slow Reles down.
Stamatis fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stamatis throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Reles is breathing heavily.
Reles misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stamatis.
Stamatis lands with a straight right. Reles didn't see that one coming.
Reles's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Stamatis chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Reles takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reles lands a lovely overhand right.
Stamatis throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A thudding body kick lands there by Stamatis!
Stamatis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stamatis slips under a jab.
Stamatis throws a nice inside leg kick.
Reles swings for the body but Stamatis moves out of range.
Reles moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Stamatis lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Stamatis changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Reles looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Stamatis trying to control the position but Reles is working away.
Reles tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Athan Stamatis dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A solid body kick from Stamatis.
Reles misses the body punch
and Stamatis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Reles throws a body punch but Stamatis moves out of range.
Stamatis moves away from the strike by Reles.
Stamatis fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stamatis tries a low kick but Reles avoids it.
Reles has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Stamatis.
Reles looks to score with a jab to the body but Stamatis is just out of range.
Reles on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Reles.
Stamatis lands with a kick to the ribs.
Stamatis scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Reles throws a lazy uppercut
and Stamatis counters with a nice low kick that buckles Reles's knee momentarily.
Reles takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reles rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stamatis counters with a leg kick.
Stamatis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reles tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Reles misses the shot to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stamatis.
Abe Reles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reles chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stamatis can pounce on him.
Reles fails with the takedown
and Stamatis counters with a slapping leg kick.
Reles stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stamatis.
Both fighters circling a little - Stamatis finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Stamatis throws a front kick that sends Reles stumbling back into the cage.
Stamatis with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reles has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stamatis.
Reles tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stamatis cracks the inside of Reles's front leg.
Reles throws an off balance right hand
and Stamatis counters with a nice low kick that buckles Reles's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stamatis looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stamatis swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Reles.
Reles takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Reles crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Stamatis - the referee stops the clock and Reles gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Stamatis. Reles manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Stamatis lands a leg kick that knocks Reles off balance momentarily.
Stamatis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Reles circles away quickly and effectively.
Stamatis fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Reles.
Reles throws a right hand that misses
and Stamatis counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Reles is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stamatis scores with a punch to the head.

Stamatis manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Reles on his heels. He'll look to pass Reles's guard now, I'm sure.
Stamatis wants to control from the top but Reles keeps moving.
Reles has a closed guard, preventing Stamatis from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Stamatis postures up in Reles's guard and throws a big left but Reles blocks it.
Reles keeping moving, preventing Stamatis from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Athan Stamatis.
Reles showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stamatis.
Good standup being displayed there by Stamatis as he connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reles fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Reles doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stamatis counters with an inside leg kick.
Athan Stamatis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abe Reles.
Stamatis moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Stamatis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Reles. That did some damage!
Reles misses with a body punch
and Stamatis counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stamatis lands a glancing blow to the side of Reles's head.
Stamatis looks to score with a jab to the body but Reles is just out of range.
Stamatis misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stamatis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stamatis with a nice cross.
Stamatis feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Reles's calf.
Stamatis is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Reles can do to turn this around?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stamatis lands with an overhand left.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stamatis.

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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Athan Stamatis!
Our winner, Athan Stamatis, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.