PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brian Stanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Flare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stanson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Until The End. Flare is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Also Sprach Zarathustra. Rick Flare has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Brian Stanson's chin.

Stanson
vs
Flare

174 cm
32
178 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

173 cm
40
180 lbs
30 - 23 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brian Stanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Rick Flare!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Damien Edna and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Flare is defended easily by Stanson.
Stanson misses with a right hand
and Flare counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A low kick from Stanson is predictable there
and Flare connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Stanson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stanson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stanson can't break the clinch.

Stanson manages to break the clinch.
Stanson wants to clinch.
Stanson is looking to clinch but Flare is avoiding it.
Flare keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stanson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Flare swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Flare has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Stanson is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Brian Stanson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Flare.
Stanson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Flare checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare dives in for a single leg takedown but Stanson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Brian Stanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Flare.
Stanson working aggressively here.

Stanson breaks from the clinch.
Stanson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Flare.
Stanson tries to clinch up.
Stanson misses with a low kick.

Flare closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stanson to the mat! Stanson manages to get full guard.
Stanson pulls Flare in close to prevent any damage.
Stanson wants to stand but Flare is controlling the position.
Flare throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flare postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Flare wants to control from the top but Stanson keeps moving.
Flare being controlled here momentarily.
Flare content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stanson is looking to stand up but Flare isn't so interested in that idea.
Flare trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Flare wants to control from the top but Stanson keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stanson tries to clinch up but Flare circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanson throws a leg kick but Flare sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stanson slaps away a takedown attempt from Flare, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Stanson as Flare shoots in.
Flare avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stanson tries to clinch but Flare is having none of it.
Flare misses with a takedown attempt - Stanson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Flare shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Stanson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Flare.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanson trying to control the position here.
Stanson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Flare throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stanson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Stanson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Flare throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Flare dominated that 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.

Flare goes for a double leg but Stanson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stanson continues to drive forward.
Flare misses with the head strike.

Stanson breaks the clinch.

Flare tries to keep at a distance but Stanson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Flare misses with the head strike.
Stanson wants to stall.

Stanson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stanson throws a leg kick
and Flare counters with a nice uppercut.
Stanson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Flare checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Flare avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Stanson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stanson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Flare drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Flare in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Flare throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stanson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Flare off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Stanson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Flare paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stanson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Flare is out of range and Stanson settles back down.
Flare takes a swing at Stanson's ribcage but misses.
Stanson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Flare swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Flare circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stanson is looking to clinch.
Stanson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Flare chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stanson can pounce on him.
Flare shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stanson but Stanson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Flare shoots for a double leg takedown but Stanson sprawls well. He's pushed Flare's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Brian Stanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Flare.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanson is looking to chop away at Flare's legs.
Stanson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Stanson wants to clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Flare.
Brian Stanson is winning the standup battle so far.
Flare keeps the fight on the outside.
Stanson looks to score with a jab to the body but Flare is just out of range.
Flare circles away from the clinch attempt
and Flare counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stanson thinking.
Brian Stanson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stanson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stanson.
Stanson throws a series of punches but Flare avoids them all with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Stanson as Flare shoots in.
Stanson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Flare checks it well.

Stanson clinches up against the cage.
Stanson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Flare has him pressed against the cage.

Stanson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Flare checks the leg kick.
Flare gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stanson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Flare shoots for a takedown but Stanson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanson looks to score with a jab to the body but Flare is just out of range.
Stanson moves in looking to clinch but Flare pushes him off.
Stanson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Brian Stanson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stanson tries to clinch there but Flare circles away.
Flare fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Flare looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stanson wants to sweep but no luck.
Flare trying to control but Stanson is working from the bottom.
Flare has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Stanson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Stanson doesn't manage to clinch there - Flare circles away.
Stanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stanson tries a low kick but Flare avoids it.
Stanson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Flare checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Stanson as Flare shoots in.
Flare uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stanson.

Flare closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stanson quickly recovers to half guard.

Stanson manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Flare keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Stanson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stanson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stanson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stanson wants to land a leg kick but Flare is out of range.
Stanson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Stanson misses with a series of wild punches.
Stanson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Flare.
Stanson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stanson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Flare.
Flare goes for a double leg but Stanson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stanson continues to drive forward.
Brian Stanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Flare.
Stanson tries to circle away but Flare has him pinned against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Flare.
Stanson wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Stanson.

Stanson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stanson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stanson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Flare fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Flare has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stanson.
Stanson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Stanson instigates a clinch.
Stanson just leaning against Flare, taking a breather.
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!

Stanson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stanson rushes Flare and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stanson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Flare with that takedown attempt.

Stanson tries to keep at a distance but Flare has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stanson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Flare up against the cage.
Stanson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Stanson breaks the clinch.
Flare shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stanson counters with a low kick, right behind Flare 's knee.
Stanson tries to clinch there but Flare circles away.
Flare misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Flare keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanson wants to clinch up but Flare keeps it at a distance.
Stanson wants to clinch.

Stanson clinches up with Flare and pushes him back against the cage.
Stanson wants to get back to striking at distance but Flare won't allow it.
Flare has a couple of punches blocked by Stanson.

Flare has Stanson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Flare pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Stanson tumbling to the mat - Flare dives into Stanson's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Flare postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Stanson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stanson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Topper Green scores the fight 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Stanson!
Brian Stanson thanked the fans post fight for their support.