PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Archie Stacks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Albert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Stacks might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Royce Da 5'9-Gun Harmonizing. John Albert will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Stacks
vs
Albert

152 cm
24
130 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
27
135 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Archie Stacks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Albert!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Albert gets caught flat footed, as Stacks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Albert is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Stacks decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Albert, up you get!

Stacks darts in and clinches Albert up against the cage.
Albert wants a takedown.
Stacks tries for a takedown but Albert manages to get underhooks.
Stacks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Albert tries to break the clinch but Stacks is controlling the position.
Albert misses with a hook to the ribs.
Albert can't get the takedown.
Albert is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Archie Stacks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Albert.
Albert creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stacks's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stacks has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Albert clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Albert is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Stacks.
Stacks seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Albert for as long as he can get away with.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Archie Stacks.
Albert is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Albert.
Stacks avoids the head kick by Albert.
Archie Stacks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stacks stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Albert.

Stacks scores with a takedown into Albert's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stacks seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stacks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stacks not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Stacks gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Albert throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stacks lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Albert is defended easily by Stacks.
Albert shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stacks defends it nicely.
Stacks lands a two punch combo.
Albert tries to clinch but Stacks moves out of range.

Stacks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stacks drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Albert gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Albert is trying to drag Stacks to the mat but Stacks just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Stacks scores with a nice short uppercut.

Stacks gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Stacks sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Stacks has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stacks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Archie Stacks dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Albert gets tackled into the cage by Stacks. Stacks maintains the clinch.
Stacks blocking some punches.
Albert taking a breather.
Stacks is looking for a takedown.
Stacks prevents the takedown attempt.

Stacks turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Stacks manages to end up in side control.
Albert tries to bench press Stacks off him but Stacks keeps the position.
Stacks tries to score with some ground and pound. Albert controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Stacks stands up.
Albert dodges the punch combination from Stacks.

Stacks clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Albert wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stacks goes for a takedown attempt but Albert pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stacks tries to bum rush Albert with a series of wild strikes but Albert uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Albert gets tackled into the cage by Stacks. Stacks maintains the clinch.
Albert wants a takedown.

Stacks turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Stacks stands up and beckons Albert to his feet.
Albert tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Albert.
Archie Stacks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Albert.
Albert dives in and grabs Stacks's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stacks pushes down on Albert's head and hops out.
Stacks throws a series of strikes that have Albert backpedaling.
Albert tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stacks swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stacks misses with the combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stacks moves into the clinch.
Albert has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stacks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Stacks working hard to break the clinch.

Stacks gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Albert regains guard.
Albert tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stacks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stacks controlling from the top position.
Stacks passes easily into side control. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Albert's face as Stacks controls the position.
Albert is looking to regain half guard here but Stacks keeps moving and retains side control.

Stacks stands up and beckons Albert to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stacks!
Albert will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Albert displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stacks.
Albert wants to clinch up but Stacks keeps it at a distance.
Stacks with a jab.
A combination from Stacks does no damage.
Stacks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Albert makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Stacks really felt that one!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stacks circles away from the clinch attempt.

Stacks shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Albert manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Stacks slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Archie Stacks 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Stacks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Albert.
Stacks misses with a body kick.
Albert throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stacks's waist but Stacks gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Albert off to one side.
Stacks pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Albert back to the cage. Stacks follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Stacks on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Stacks closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Stacks shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Albert napping and manages to drive through into side control!
An elbow from Stacks crashes against the mat.
Albert is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Stacks throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Albert being controlled for a moment.
Albert takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stacks decides to stand back up. Stacks steps back and let's Albert get back to his feet.
Stacks closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Albert looks for a takedown but Stacks sprawls well.
Archie Stacks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Albert.
Stacks misses with a two punch combination.
A left and a right from Stacks both land. Nice combination.
Albert delivers a nice body kick.
Archie Stacks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice jab there from Stacks.
Albert connects with a nice looking jab.
Albert avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stacks has Albert up against the cage in a clinch.
Stacks scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Albert escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stacks misses with a series of wild punches.
Stacks lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Albert lands with a thumping leg kick.
Archie Stacks is winning the standup battle so far.
Albert stuffs the takedown attempt from Stacks. Stacks gets slowly back to his feet.
Albert tries to clinch there but Stacks circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stacks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Albert throws a series of punches but Stacks moves out of range.
Stacks avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Stacks fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Albert, pushing him back against the cage.
Albert tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stacks just stands there and leans against the cage.
Archie Stacks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Albert is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stacks is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Albert can do to turn this around?
Stacks blocking some punches.
Stacks has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Albert avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Albert jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stacks walks away with a smile on his face. Albert gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stacks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stacks has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Albert.
Stacks throws a body kick that misses.
Albert tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stacks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Albert fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stacks avoids it really well and circles away.
Stacks falls off balance throwing a combination
and Albert counters with a head kick. That will keep Stacks thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Albert shoots in for a takedown but Stacks shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No joy there for Stacks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Albert shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stacks sprawls well. Stacks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Albert gets slowly back to his feet.
John Albert has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Stacks gets a takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Archie Stacks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stacks 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Archie Stacks!
In his post fight interview, Archie Stacks started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.