PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michal Tarnowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Athan Stamatis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tarnowski comes to the cage accompanied by Hemp Gru - Sami swoi . Stamatis has chosen Lose Yourself as his entrance music. 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.

Tarnowski
vs
Stamatis

179 cm
27
154 lbs
46 - 10 - 0

176 cm
37
184 lbs
59 - 28 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 46 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michal Tarnowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 59 - 28 - 0, fighting out of New York, Athan Stamatis!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stamatis rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tarnowski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tarnowski works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Stamatis.
Stamatis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tarnowski sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Tarnowski tries to sprawl but Stamatis drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Tarnowski is looking to improve his position.
Tarnowski is working hard here to advance position.
Tarnowski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tarnowski is trying to control but can't.
Tarnowski is trying to get back to full guard.
Tarnowski regains full guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tarnowski tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stamatis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tarnowski is keeping the position for now.
Stamatis trying to control but Tarnowski is working from the bottom.
Stamatis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stamatis trying to control but Tarnowski is working from the bottom.

Tarnowski looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stamatis looking to pass the guard.

Tarnowski throws his legs up looking for a submission but Stamatis uses it to pass to side control.
Stamatis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tarnowski keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Tarnowski manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Tarnowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stamatis pulls his head out easily.
Stamatis throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tarnowski wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stamatis content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tarnowski is looking for a sweep. Stamatis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tarnowski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tarnowski is looking to control Stamatis's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tarnowski avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tarnowski avoids a kick to the body.
Stamatis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tarnowski.
Stamatis misses with a low kick.
Stamatis connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tarnowski needs to keep his hands up - Stamatis had a free shot at his head there.
Stamatis smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Tarnowski is rocked!
Stamatis wobbles Tarnowski with a right hand and the left hook that follows puts him on his rear! Stamatis dives in with a huge flying punch that connects right on the button and puts Tarnowski to sleep! - What a violent and spectacular finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Athan Stamatis!
In his post fight interview, Athan Stamatis started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.