PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joaquin Saez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dee Stirling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Stirling's choice of entrance music: All That Remains-The Air That I Breathe . Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Saez
vs
Stirling

176 cm
21
180 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
200 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Cyclone Nutrition Company

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joaquin Saez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dee Stirling!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stirling throws a right hand that Saez ducks under and follows up with a left that Saez also avoids with ease.
Stirling lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saez at a distance.
Stirling leaves Saez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Saez drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Saez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saez postures up.
Saez throwing strikes from guard but Stirling blocks nicely.
Stirling avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Saez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Saez stands up over Stirling, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Saez throws a big elbow that misses.

Stirling working for a triangle but Saez defends it easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Stirling is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saez throws a big right hand that misses.
Saez trying to control but Stirling is working from the bottom.
Stirling keeping full guard, as Saez tries to pass.
Stirling has his hands on Saez's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stirling not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Saez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Saez tries to free his leg and advance position but Stirling is retaining full guard.
Saez works over Stirling with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saez postures up in Stirling's guard and throws a big left but Stirling blocks it.
Saez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stirling keeping moving, preventing Saez from controlling successfully.
Saez wants to pass the guard but Stirling is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stirling managing to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Saez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Saez throwing strikes but missing.
Saez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Saez in side control, throwing shots but Stirling defends.
Saez misses with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stirling is trying to get back to half guard.
Saez creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Saez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Stirling's legs.
Saez in side control lands a decent elbow.
Saez working the ground and pound.
Saez misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Saez taking a break here but Stirling is having none of it and regains half guard.
Saez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Saez trying to pass the guard but Stirling defending well.
Saez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saez lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saez is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Stirling reverses the position - he's now on top in Saez's guard.
Stirling trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Saez manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Saez passes Stirling's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Stirling has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Saez is working away from the top position though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stirling is refusing to be controlled, as Saez sits in half guard.
Saez is really struggling to control Stirling but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquin Saez dominated that round.
That's time! Saez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saez fails with a takedown attempt.

Stirling has closed the distance and engaged Saez in a clinch.
Stirling prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stirling softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Saez tries to score a body lock takedown but Stirling shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquin Saez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stirling manages to break the clinch.
Stirling lands with a straight right. Saez didn't see that one coming.
Stirling leaves Saez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stirling blocks a head kick by Saez.
Stirling throws a looping overhand right but Saez ducks down to avoid it.
Stirling lands a lovely overhand right.

Stirling takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stirling escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stirling is fending him off so far but Saez persists. Nope, Stirling circles away and we're back to standing.
Saez swings for the body but Stirling moves out of range.
Stirling connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stirling sizes up Saez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Stirling has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saez prevents a body shot from Stirling.
Saez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stirling pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Saez tries to score a body lock takedown but Stirling shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Saez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stirling avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Saez is working for takedown but Stirling is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stirling wants to get back to striking at distance but Saez won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stirling lands an elbow just above Saez 's eye.
Stirling gets through Saez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saez blocks a body shot from Stirling.

Stirling pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stirling moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stirling pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stirling lands a jab.
Saez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saez shoots in for a double leg but Stirling sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Joaquin Saez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saez tries to bum rush Stirling with a series of wild strikes but Stirling uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saez is looking to score with low kicks.

Stirling takes the fight into the clinch.
Stirling wants to break the clinch but can't.

Stirling breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sloppy strikes from Saez. Those never looked like landing.
Saez fails with a takedown attempt.
Joaquin Saez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stirling cracks Saez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Stirling throws a series of punches but Saez moves out of range.
Stirling misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saez.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saez.
Saez shoots in for a takedown but Stirling shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Saez with that takedown attempt.

Stirling gets a clinch.
Stirling lands an uppercut.
Saez is trying to drag Stirling to the mat but Stirling just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Still in the clinch, Stirling scores with a nice short uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stirling gets the underhooks and prevents it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stirling fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dee Stirling showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stirling misses with a few strikes there.
Stirling fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saez manages to avoid it.
Saez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stirling sprawls well. Stirling wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saez gets slowly back to his feet.
Saez fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Saez or perhaps it was just good defense by Stirling which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquin Saez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stirling has managed to clinch.

Stirling escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sloppy strikes from Saez. Those never looked like landing.
Stirling with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stirling moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stirling stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stirling wants it to stay on the feet.
Saez takes one to the chin there.
Saez misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Stirling to counter with a crisp jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saez looks for a takedown but Stirling sprawls well.
A jab from Stirling does it's job there.

Stirling rushes Saez and presses him up against the cage.

Stirling pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stirling as he jumps to the side.
Saez fails with a takedown attempt.
Saez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stirling keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Saez takes a swing at Stirling's ribcage but misses.
Dee Stirling seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saez looks for a takedown but Stirling sprawls well.
Saez misses with a body shot
and Stirling counters with a stiff right hand.

Stirling clinches.
Stirling gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saez.
Knees to the body from Stirling.
Stirling throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saezs head.
Stirling misses with an elbow over the top.
A short right from Stirling on the inside.
Stirling leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Stirling scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stirling is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Stirling lands with a light punch inside.
Stirling is pressed up against the cage. Saez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stirling down to the mat. Stirling avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Saez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Saez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Saez closes the distance and clinches up with Stirling, looking for a takedown. Saez pushes Stirling against the cage but Stirling circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stirling throws a nice looking combination but Saez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stirling tests Saez's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Saez is rocked!
Saez shoots for a double leg takedown but Stirling sprawls well. He's pushed Saez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Stirling has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dee Stirling seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Stirling.
Saez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Saez is looking for a takedown.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A short uppercut from Stirling.
Saez goes for a takedown attempt but Stirling pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Saez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stirling tries to avoid it but Saez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stirling to the ground. Stirling escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stirling throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Saez closes the distance and clinches up with Stirling, looking for a takedown. Saez pushes Stirling against the cage but Stirling circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A right-left combo lands from Stirling.
Stirling punishes Saez's body with a nice straight punch.
Dee Stirling is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saez's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stirling connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saez scrambles back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dee Stirling comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stirling has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dee Stirling!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Dee Stirling waved his t-shirt featuring Cyclone Nutrition Company's logo in front of the cameras.