PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Giorgio Girardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Layne Staley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Staley's choice of entrance music: The Rooster. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Girardi
vs
Staley

174 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
26
150 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Giorgio Girardi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Layne Staley!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Girardi with a poor takedown
and Staley counters with a nice leg kick.
Staley tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Girardi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Girardi dives in for a single leg takedown but Staley sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Staley scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Girardi has Staley pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Staley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giorgio Girardi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Staley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Girardi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Staley manages to pull guard.
Staley is pulling down on Girardi's head. It's preventing any offense from Girardi, at least for the moment.
Girardi lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Girardi trying to control but Staley is working from the bottom.
Staley is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

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

Girardi throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Staley escapes and throws Girardi's legs to the side, diving into side control!
You can see the frustration on Girardi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Staley really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Girardi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Girardi tries to buck Staley off but Staley is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Girardi struggling a bit here.
Girardi is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Girardi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Girardi trying to remain calm as Staley controls from the top position.
Girardi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Staley's best efforts.
Staley is thwarting Girardi's attempts to control the position.
Staley is trying to control. Girardi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Staley keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Layne Staley was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Staley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Girardi swivels and escapes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Staley looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Girardi actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Girardi actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Girardi trying to control here.

Girardi looking for submissions off his back.
Staley trying to control the action but Girardi is working from the bottom.

Girardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Girardi is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Brick Brawlers MMA (13 Coaches) that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Girardi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Staley wants to lay and pray for a moment but Girardi keeps working.
Girardi is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Girardi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staley pulls his head out easily.
Staley is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Girardi is refusing to be controlled, as Staley sits in half guard.
Staley content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Layne Staley was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Girardi shoots in but Staley avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Layne Staley will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Girardi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Staley sprawls well. Staley wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Girardi gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Girardi.
Girardi swats away the attempt to clinch by Staley.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Staley fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Staley.

It looks like Giorgio Girardi has been cut.
Girardi keeps the fight on the outside.
A low kick from Girardi misses
and Staley counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Girardi gets tackled into the cage by Staley. Staley maintains the clinch.
Staley is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Staley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Staley drives through and clinches with Girardi against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Staley is fighting off a takedown attempt but Girardi is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Staley to the mat. Staley regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Girardi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Girardi is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Staley is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Staley has escaped and now he's on top!

Girardi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Staley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Staley is in close to Girardi's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Girardi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Girardi is looking for a triangle here but Staley uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Girardi tries to buck Staley off but Staley is having none of it.
Staley is looking to take a break and control but Girardi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Staley content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Girardi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Girardi gets back to full guard.

Girardi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Staley trying to control but Girardi is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Girardi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Girardi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Staley has picked Girardi up and slammed him! Girardi can't keep hold of the triangle and Staley manages to pass to side control!
Girardi is not content to let Staley control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Girardi tries to buck Staley off but Staley is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Giorgio Girardi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Giorgio Girardi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Girardi misses with a takedown attempt - Staley sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Girardi shoots and misses
and Staley counters with a stiff right hand.

Staley moves into the clinch.
Girardi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Staley is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giorgio Girardi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Staley landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Girardi tries to score a body lock takedown but Staley shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Staley breaks from the clinch.

Staley moves into range and clinches up with Girardi.

Staley gets control of Girardi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Staley will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Girardi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Staley defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Staley tries to free his leg and advance position but Girardi is retaining full guard.
Staley trying to control but Girardi is working from the bottom.
Staley postures up.

Girardi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Staley is aware though and is defending well.
Girardi keeping moving, preventing Staley from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Layne Staley wasn't active enough on the ground.

Staley takes the fight into the clinch.

Staley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Layne Staley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Girardi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Staley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Girardi, right into the meat.
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!

Girardi gets tackled into the cage by Staley. Staley maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Girardi walks away with a smile on his face. Staley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Girardi tries to sprawl but Staley drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Girardi looking for submissions off his back.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Staley lands a nice short elbow.
Staley is looking to advance position but Girardi won't allow it.
Staley tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Staley is taking a breather. Girardi 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.
Girardi gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Girardi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Staley's guard.
Staley striking off his back but it's not causing Girardi any problems.

Girardi drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Staley dives on top into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Staley trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Staley 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.

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

Girardi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Staley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Staley landing with the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Layne Staley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Staley 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 Josh West scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!