PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Claudio Demaestri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Stronkowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Demaestri
vs
Stronkowski

185 cm
21
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Claudio Demaestri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nathan Stronkowski!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Skip Squint and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Demaestri avoids the head kick by Stronkowski.

Demaestri shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Stronkowski napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Demaestri tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Demaestri has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Demaestri goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Stronkowski rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Demaestri's guard! Nice work there by Stronkowski!
Stronkowski trying to control but Demaestri is working from the bottom.

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

Demaestri is looking for a triangle but Stronkowski pushes his legs off easily.
Demaestri controls Stronkowski momentarily but Stronkowski frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stronkowski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Demaestri has his foot on Stronkowski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stronkowski works his way back into a safe position though.

Demaestri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stronkowski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stronkowski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Demaestri trying to control the position.
Stronkowski slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Demaestri is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Demaestri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stronkowski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stronkowski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stronkowski not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stronkowski preventing the sweep.
Stronkowski wants to pass the guard but Demaestri is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri controls Stronkowski momentarily but Stronkowski frees himself.
Stronkowski preventing the sweep.

Demaestri has an active guard here but Stronkowski has managed to pass into half guard.
Stronkowski trying to control the action but Demaestri is working from the bottom.
Demaestri trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stronkowski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Demaestri keeps working.
Demaestri is trying to maintain the position but Stronkowski is very close to passing his half guard.

Demaestri actively working from the bottom here.
Stronkowski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Demaestri keeps working.
Demaestri has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stronkowski is working away from the top position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Demaestri wants to improve his position but Stronkowski is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stronkowski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stronkowski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Demaestri manages to avoid it.
Claudio Demaestri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Demaestri fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stronkowski sprawls well initially but Demaestri persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Stronkowski trying to control from the bottom.
Demaestri working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Demaestri seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stronkowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Demaestri is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stronkowski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Demaestri.
Stronkowski manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stronkowski is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demaestri looking to sit in guard and control but Stronkowski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Demaestri controls Stronkowski momentarily but Stronkowski frees himself.

Demaestri looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Demaestri pushes Stronkowski off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stronkowski swinging wildly here.

Demaestri drives through with a takedown into guard.

Demaestri has gone for a leg lock! Stronkowski slips out almost immediately though and dives into Demaestri's guard.

Demaestri had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stronkowski defends it easily.
Demaestri keeping moving, preventing Stronkowski from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Demaestri is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stronkowski is aware though and is defending well.

Demaestri looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Demaestri looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stronkowski passes into half guard.
Stronkowski slows the pace down in half guard.
Demaestri is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stronkowski is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Demaestri wants to control but Stronkowski is having none of it.
Stronkowski looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Demaestri manages to regain half guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claudio Demaestri dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Stronkowski fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Demaestri is out of range.

Demaestri darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Stronkowski gets back to full guard.
Stronkowski keeping moving, preventing Demaestri from controlling successfully.
Demaestri is really struggling to control Stronkowski but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Stronkowski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Demaestri wants to pass the guard but Stronkowski is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demaestri trying to control but Stronkowski is working from the bottom.

Demaestri drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stronkowski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Demaestri has Stronkowski in his guard.

Demaestri looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Stronkowski has picked Demaestri up and slammed him! Demaestri can't keep hold of the triangle and Stronkowski manages to pass to side control!
Stronkowski trying to control the action but Demaestri is working from the bottom.
Stronkowski controlling from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri tries to bench press Stronkowski off him but Stronkowski keeps the position.
Demaestri is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stronkowski's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Stronkowski prevents Demaestri from improving his position.
Demaestri trying to control here.
Demaestri is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stronkowski not doing much here.
Demaestri tries to get to full guard but Stronkowski has control of the leg.

Demaestri is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stronkowski pulls his head out easily.
Nathan Stronkowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Demaestri wants to sweep but Stronkowski has passed to side control!
Claudio Demaestri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Stronkowski has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Claudio Demaestri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Demaestri shoots in and gets a takedown into Stronkowski's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stronkowski keeping moving, preventing Demaestri from controlling successfully.

Demaestri drops back, looking for a kneebar! Stronkowski looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Stronkowski looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Stronkowski!
Demaestri is trying to improve his position.
Demaestri can't do much from the bottom here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stronkowski is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Demaestri will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

And that's the end of the fight!
Claudio Demaestri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Demaestri has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Claudio Demaestri!