PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nik Stalberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lei Wulong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nik Stalberg has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stalberg
vs
Wulong

195 cm
22
196 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
198 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nik Stalberg!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lei Wulong!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Ian Loll and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stalberg will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stalberg throws a nice looking combination but Wulong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Wulong. That's going to slow Stalberg down.
Stalberg throws a series of punches but Wulong moves out of range.
Wulong slips a jab and a cross from Stalberg.
Wulong takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Wulong tries to clinch up but Stalberg circles away and keeps his distance.
Good leg kick by Wulong there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Stalberg throws a series of punches but Wulong moves out of range.

Wulong lands a head kick that stumbles Stalberg and the fighters go to the mat.

Stalberg is rocked!

It looks like Nik Stalberg has been cut.
Wulong controls from within his opponent's guard.
Oh Stalberg is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stalberg seems to have got his legs back now.
Stalberg on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stalberg tries to get out of the position.
Stalberg is looking to stand up but Wulong isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wulong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stalberg is keeping the position for now.
Wulong is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Let's hope that Wulong has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Stalberg utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stalberg wants to stand but Wulong is controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stalberg rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wulong moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nik Stalberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stalberg is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Wulong closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wulong tries to score with some ground and pound. Stalberg controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Wulong is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Stalberg's shoulder. That is not cool.
Stalberg is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Wulong has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wulong is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stalberg has escaped the position, nice work there.
Stalberg is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Wulong is controlling him well.
Wulong controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalberg takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Wulong working the body and head with strikes.
Wulong wants to control for a moment but Stalberg uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Wulong works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stalberg wants to stand but Wulong is controlling his posture from full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wulong is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wulong 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.
Wulong's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Wulong is pushing down on Stalberg's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stalberg is fighting to maintain full guard but Wulong has managed to sneak the leg through.
Wulong sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Wulong not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lei Wulong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nik Stalberg's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stalberg misses with a series of wild punches.
Wulong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wulong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stalberg is fending him off so far but Wulong persists. Nope, Stalberg circles away and we're back to standing.
Wulong throws a nice head kick!
Wulong throws a leg kick which misses Stalberg's front leg but catches the back leg as Stalberg tries to avoid it.
Wulong throws a sloppy head kick and Stalberg moves out of range easily.
Stalberg works the jab nicely.

Wulong gets a clinch.

Wulong jumps into guard, dragging Stalberg to the mat.
Stalberg is looking to stand up but Wulong won't let him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stalberg has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Stalberg stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Wulong bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stalberg's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wulong stalks Stalberg and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Stalberg's face. Stalberg staggers backwards, shaken.
Stalberg throws a left and a right that both miss

and Wulong counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Stalberg keeping moving, preventing Wulong from controlling successfully.
Wulong prevents Stalberg from getting back to his feet.
Wulong trying to control the position from guard on top but Stalberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stalberg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Stalberg wriggles free and stands up.
Stalberg falls off balance throwing a combination
and Wulong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stalberg tries to bum rush Wulong with a series of wild strikes but Wulong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wulong lands a nice looking kick to the body. Stalberg takes a step back to recover.

Wulong darts in and clinches Stalberg up against the cage.
Stalberg wants to get back to striking at distance but Wulong won't allow it.
Stalberg tries to break the clinch but Wulong is controlling the position.
Wulong is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Stalberg is keeping busy.
The referee calls for Wulong to work.
Wulong missing with knees to the body.
Wulong pushes Stalberg back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Wulong fails to pull guard.
A left hand lands to the body for Wulong.
Stalberg is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stalberg gets underhooks to prevent Wulong's takedown attempt.
Nik Stalberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lei Wulong.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wulong tries to pull guard but Stalberg holds him up against the cage and eventually Wulong drops back down to his feet.
Stalberg managing to block the knees to the body from Wulong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wulong looking to slow down the pace here.
Stalberg can't break the clinch.
Wulong leaning against his opponent.
Wulong looking to stall.

Wulong pulls guard successfully.
Wulong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stalberg manages to get himself to full guard.
Stalberg wants to stand and escape but Wulong is having none of it.
Stalberg keeping full guard, as Wulong tries to pass.
Stalberg wants to stand up but Wulong is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wulong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stalberg swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Stalberg pushes Wulong off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Stalberg has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Wulong finds it's way round the side to connect with Stalberg's head.
Stalberg throws a body punch but Wulong moves out of range.
Wulong takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nik Stalberg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stalberg misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wulong throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wulong lands a right hook to the body.
Wulong lands with a shot to the body.
Wulong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stalberg on the side of the head.
Stalberg throws a nice looking combination but Wulong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lei Wulong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nik Stalberg's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wulong moves away from the strike by Stalberg.
Wulong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Wulong wants to clinch.
Stalberg misses with a two punch combination.
Stalberg throws a right hand that Wulong ducks under and follows up with a left that Wulong also avoids with ease.
Stalberg has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Wulong.
Stalberg swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wulong counters with a head kick. That will keep Stalberg thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Stalberg swinging wilding here.
Wulong tries to clinch but Stalberg moves out of range.
Stalberg 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.
Wulong takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stalberg will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stalberg slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stalberg misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalberg throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stalberg lands a nice shot that snaps Wulong's head back.
Wulong tries to clinch up but Stalberg circles away and keeps his distance.
Stalberg looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stalberg throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Wulong counters with a nice uppercut.
Stalberg misses with a double jab
and Wulong counters with a nice leg kick.
Wulong has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Wulong lands with a kick to the temple. Stalberg shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Stalberg misses with an uppercut. Wulong saw that one coming.
Stalberg misses with an uppercut.
Nik Stalberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stalberg misses with an uppercut.
Stalberg misses with a double jab

and Wulong counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wulong looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stalberg with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalberg pushes Wulong off looking to stand but Wulong dives back in and keeps control.
Wulong seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stalberg does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stalberg wants to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Stalberg misses with a hook. Wulong ducked under it nicely.
Wulong throws a body punch but Stalberg moves out of range.
Stalberg misses with a combination

and Wulong counters by clinching up.
Wulong stalling.
A right hand to the body from Wulong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wulong stalling in the clinch but Stalberg improves position.
Stalberg is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stalberg is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stalberg prevents a body shot from Wulong.
Wulong is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stalberg pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Wulong prevents Stalberg from breaking the clinch.
Wulong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wulong wants a takedown but no success here.
Stalberg tries to break the clinch but Wulong is controlling the position.
Wulong wants a takedown but no success here.
Nik Stalberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lei Wulong.
Stalberg is trying to break the clinch but Wulong has him pressed against the cage.
Wulong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stalberg's elbow.
Stalberg wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wulong is trying to maintain a safe position but Stalberg gets an underhook and turns Wulong into the cage.

Stalberg breaks the clinch.

Wulong has Stalberg up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stalberg can't break the clinch.
Wulong trying to land knees to the body.
Stalberg is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wulong lands a body punch.

Stalberg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wulong throws a leg kick which misses Stalberg's front leg but catches the back leg as Stalberg tries to avoid it.
Stalberg takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Wulong throws a body kick that misses.
Wulong tries to clinch up but Stalberg circles away and keeps his distance.
Wulong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stalberg misses with a few strikes there.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wulong.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wulong has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Stalberg!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lei Wulong really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nik Stalberg's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stalberg swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wulong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A combination from Stalberg does no damage.
Stalberg tests Wulong's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stalberg tries to bum rush Wulong with a series of wild strikes but Wulong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stalberg misses with a two punch combination.
Stalberg darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Wulong fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stalberg lands a with a good body shot.
Stalberg misses with a shot to the body
and Wulong counters with an inside leg kick.
Stalberg misses with a looping left.
Stalberg misses the shot to the body.
Stalberg misses with a double jab.
Stalberg looks to land a combination but Wulong avoids it well.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Stalberg falls off balance throwing a combination

and Wulong counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wulong is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Wulong trying to control but Stalberg is working from the bottom.
Wulong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wulong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Wulong passes Stalberg's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Stalberg pushes Wulong off looking to stand but Wulong dives back in and keeps control.

Wulong is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stalberg wants to get back to his feet.
Wulong content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Stalberg is trying to stand back up but Wulong is controlling him
Lei Wulong has got the better of the ground game so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stalberg throws a combination that misses

and Wulong counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stalberg is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wulong is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wulong slips nicely into half guard.
Stalberg is looking to escape.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wulong tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stalberg stuns Wulong with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stalberg lands with a nice combination. Wulong backs away looking to recover.
Wulong dodges the punch combination from Stalberg.
Stalberg swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wulong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wulong lands the left hand.
The fighters circling - Stalberg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stalberg swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wulong counters with a nice kick to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Wulong.
The fighters circling - Stalberg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A shot to the body from Stalberg misses
and Wulong counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stalberg's knee momentarily.
Stalberg misses with a jab, cross combination.
Wulong doesn't manage to clinch there - Stalberg circles away.
Stalberg misses with a wild body shot.
Stalberg looks to throw the jab but Wulong is out of range.

Wulong is rocked!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stalberg throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Wulong counters with a slapping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lei Wulong dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Nik Stalberg's cut.
That's time! Stalberg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Wulong dodges the punch combination from Stalberg.
Wulong is still on wobbly legs! Can Stalberg finish him?
Stalberg throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stalberg misses with a combination
and Wulong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stalberg swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wulong counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Wulong closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Wulong jumps guard and drags Stalberg to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Wulong seems to have recovered his senses.
Wulong bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stalberg's guard.
Stalberg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Wulong trying to control the position from guard on top but Stalberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wulong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wulong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stalberg works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wulong scoring with some ground and pound.
Wulong is stalling in the full guard.
Stalberg working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wulong.
Wulong looking to sit in guard and control but Stalberg gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Stalberg wants to stand but Wulong is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wulong is on top in guard.
Wulong won't allow Stalberg to get back to his feet.
Wulong trying to control the position from guard on top but Stalberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stalberg is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wulong is controlling him.
Wulong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wulong is standing up over Stalberg. Stalberg looks to escape but Wulong dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wulong working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Stalberg is trying to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Wulong looks to score with a jab to the body but Stalberg is just out of range.

Wulong clinches up with Stalberg and pushes him back against the cage.
Stalberg is trying to break free.
Stalberg prevents the takedown attempt.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stalberg misses with a two punch combination.
Stalberg takes a swing at Wulong's ribcage but misses.
Wulong fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wulong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stalberg has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stalberg there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stalberg misses with a few strikes there.
Stalberg sends Wulong crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Stalberg is motioning to the referee to let Wulong up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Nice defenses there by Wulong.
Stalberg is throwing a storm of strikes! Right hook, left hook and follows it up with a spinning back fist! Wulong hits the canvas like a rag doll! And just like that, this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Nik Stalberg!
Nik Stalberg is the new middleweight champion!