PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Stokes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Thend (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leo Thend acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Stokes
vs
Thend

151 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

202 cm
25
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Francesco Stokes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Leo Thend!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thend throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stokes tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Thend is in Stokes's guard.
Thend wants to control from the top but Stokes keeps moving.

Thend drops back looking for a leg! Stokes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stokes manages to kick Thend off! Thend jumps back into Stokes's guard.
Stokes thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Thend stops Stokes from standing up.

Stokes working for a triangle but Thend defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stokes wants to stand up but Thend is controlling him.
Thend must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Thend stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Thend closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stokes tries to kick Thend off but Thend keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stokes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thend.
Thend is trying to control. Stokes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Stokes kicks Thend off and gets back to his feet.

Thend is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stokes's half guard.
Thend stops Stokes from getting back to his feet.
Thend wants to take a breather but Stokes is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stokes is trying to stand.

Stokes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thend pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thend is trying to control. Stokes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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

Thend closes the distance and pushes Stokes back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Thend gets control of Stokes's arms and successfully pulls guard. Thend will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Thend is pulling down on Stokes's head to control his posture.
Stokes prevents Thend from getting back to his feet.

Thend is working an open guard so Stokes takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Stokes gets caught napping as Thend dives in and scores a takedown. Stokes manages to retain guard.
Thend looks winded!
Stokes wants to stand up but Thend is controlling him.
Stokes could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Thend trying to control but Stokes is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stokes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thend looking to pass the guard.

Stokes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thend can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thend.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stokes is looking for a sweep.
Thend wants to control but Stokes is keeping him busy.
Stokes is trying to buck Thend off.
Stokes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stokes tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stokes tries to strike from the bottom but he's left himself exposed and Thend has taken his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thend slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Stokes looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thend connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stokes. Stokes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Thend changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stokes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Thend decides to stand back up.

Thend scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stokes is trying to stand.
Thend seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stokes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stokes pushes Thend off looking to stand but Thend dives back in and keeps control.
Stokes is pressing down on Thend's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thend trying to control but Stokes is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Stokes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thend manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stokes stands and steps away. Thend gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Thend scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Thend wants to get back to his feet.
Stokes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stokes tries to kick Thend off but Thend keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stokes is staying active underneath Thend, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stokes pushes Thend off looking to stand but Thend dives back in and keeps control.

Thend is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stokes is just riding it out for now. Thend eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stokes tries to kick Thend off but Thend keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Thend stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Thend throws a head kick but Stokes moves out of range.
Thend throws a push kick but Stokes slaps the foot to one side.
Stokes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thend looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Thend won't allow Stokes to get back to his feet.
Thend wants to control from the top but Stokes keeps moving.
Stokes wants to stand but Thend is controlling the position.
Leo Thend has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thend trying to control the position from guard on top but Stokes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Leo Thend has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Thend gets a double leg takedown into Stokes's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thend wants to control from the top but Stokes keeps moving.

Stokes is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Thend frees his head nicely. Oh but Stokes has switched to an armbar! Thend is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Francesco Stokes!