PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikael Stahlberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Safej (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stahlberg comes to the cage accompanied by Stand up and Fight. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stahlberg
vs
Safej

178 cm
25
187 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

186 cm
25
191 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikael Stahlberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kevin Safej!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stahlberg looks to land a combination but Safej avoids it well.
Safej looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Stahlberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Stahlberg misses with a kick to the body.
Stahlberg scores with a head kick.
Stahlberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Safej.
Mikael Stahlberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Safej chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stahlberg can pounce on him.
Stahlberg takes a kick to the side of the head.
Horrible takedown by Stahlberg or perhaps it was just good defense by Safej which made him look bad.

Stahlberg looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Safej!

Stahlberg tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Stahlberg working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Safej avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Stahlberg.

Stahlberg is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Safej has escaped the position, nice work there.
Stahlberg tries to stand but Safej is controlling his head.
Stahlberg tries to move into full mount but can't pass Safej's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stahlberg tries for a kimura but Safej is defending well.
Sloppy strikes there by Stahlberg.
Stahlberg lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Safej down.
Safej managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Stahlberg.

Stahlberg is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Safej knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Safej prevents Stahlberg from moving into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stahlberg wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Safej, who protects the arm well.

Stahlberg tries for a kimura but Safej is defending well.

Stahlberg is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Safej knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sloppy strikes there by Stahlberg.

Stahlberg is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Safej has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sloppy strikes there by Stahlberg.
Stahlberg lands a decent elbow from side control.

Stahlberg working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Stahlberg dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A head kick misses from Stahlberg.
Stahlberg throws a head kick but Safej moves out of range.
A head kick by Stahlberg misses

and Safej counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Safej.
Safej prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stahlberg jumps guard but Safej stands there with Stahlberg around his waist. Stahlberg gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stahlberg missing with knees to the body.
Safej is breathing heavily.
Safej is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stahlberg is defending well for now.
Safej prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikael Stahlberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stahlberg jumps guard but Safej turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stahlberg tries a knee to the head but Safej blocks it.
Safej avoiding damage as Stahlberg throws knees to the body.
Safej avoids a wild elbow strike from Stahlberg.
Safej avoids a wild elbow strike from Stahlberg.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stahlberg changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Safej fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A head kick misses from Stahlberg.
Safej takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safej avoids the head kick by Stahlberg.
Stahlberg shoots in but no luck this time.
We've been informed that Safej has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Stahlberg dives in for a single leg takedown but Safej sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stahlberg jumps guard but Safej turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stahlberg tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stahlberg jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Safej walks away with a smile on his face. Stahlberg gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Safej misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Stahlberg.
Safej throws a sloppy head kick and Stahlberg moves out of range easily.
Stahlberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stahlberg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stahlberg dives in for a single leg takedown but Safej sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stahlberg wants to stall.
Stahlberg missing with knees to the body.
Stahlberg tries to break free but Safej pushes him back against the cage.
Stahlberg missing with knees to the body.
Safej keeps control of Stahlberg as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stahlberg is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stahlberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Safej has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stahlberg is struggling to control the position.
Safej avoiding damage as Stahlberg throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stahlberg blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stahlberg tries to circle away but Safej has him pinned against the cage.
Stahlberg jumps guard but Safej turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stahlberg just leaning against Safej, taking a breather.
Stahlberg throws an elbow but it misses.
Stahlberg wants to break free but Safej has control.
Stahlberg taking a breather.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stahlberg is working for takedown but Safej is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Stahlberg dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Stahlberg keeps Safej at a distance using the push kick.
A head kick misses from Stahlberg.
Stahlberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Safej misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Stahlberg.
Stahlberg darts in looking for a takedown but Safej gets double underhooks and turns Stahlberg into the cage.
Stahlberg presses Safej against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stahlberg tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Safej just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stahlberg is trying to pull guard but Safej turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikael Stahlberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stahlberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stahlberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Safej has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Safej gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stahlberg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stahlberg tries to land knees in the clinch but Safej avoids the damage to the body.
Safej tries a knee to the head but Stahlberg blocks it.
Stahlberg drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Safej gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stahlberg jumps guard but Safej turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stahlberg tries to break the clinch but Safej is controlling the position.
Safej on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stahlberg jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Safej walks away with a smile on his face. Stahlberg gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Safej throws a sloppy head kick
and Stahlberg counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Safej is lucky that one didn't land flush.

It looks like Kevin Safej has been cut.
Stahlberg looks for a takedown but Safej sprawls well.
Safej on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Stahlberg misses with a head kick.
Stahlberg throws a sloppy head kick and Safej moves out of range easily.
Stahlberg shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stahlberg scores with a push kick.
Stahlberg blocks a head kick by Safej.
Stahlberg misses with a wild body shot.
Safej blocks a head kick by Stahlberg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stahlberg misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Stahlberg.
Stahlberg tries to close the distance and clinch but Safej swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stahlberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Stahlberg connects with a leg kick. Safej looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A head kick misses from Stahlberg.
Stahlberg avoids the head kick by Safej.
A jab lands there for Stahlberg.
Stahlberg throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Safej.
Stahlberg pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stahlberg throws a body kick that misses.
Stahlberg scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Stahlberg tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stahlberg shoots in and drives through. Safej sprawls well.
Stahlberg lands with a kick to the temple. Safej shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Stahlberg throws a sloppy head kick
and Safej counters with a big head kick but Stahlberg shrugs it off.
Stahlberg attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stahlberg avoids the head kick by Safej.
Stahlberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Safej blocks a head kick by Stahlberg.
Safej blocks a head kick by Stahlberg.
Safej avoids the head kick by Stahlberg.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stahlberg throws a head kick but Safej moves out of range.
Safej takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stahlberg misses with a takedown attempt - Safej sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kevin Safej has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mikael Stahlberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mikael Stahlberg is winning the standup battle so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stahlberg misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikael Stahlberg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stahlberg 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikael Stahlberg!
Mikael Stahlberg gave a mention to Dr J's in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).