PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raijin Kage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wolfram Stelzer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kage kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Gojira - Oroborus. Stelzer has chosen Satyricon - K.I.N.G. as his entrance music. Wolfram Stelzer will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kage
vs
Stelzer

165 cm
27
162 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

192 cm
27
168 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raijin Kage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Wolfram Stelzer!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kage chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Kage shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stelzer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kage forces his way into half guard.
Kage thows a huge punch but Stelzer dodges it nicely.
Stelzer has hold of Kage's hands but Kage slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Stelzer wants to improve his position but Kage is controlling well.
Kage missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kage throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Stelzer to regain full guard.

Stelzer has his foot on Kage's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kage works his way back into a safe position though.
Kage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stelzer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kage has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stelzer is looking for a triangle but Kage pushes his legs off easily.
Kage might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kage is looking to work some ground and pound but Stelzer has wrist control.

Stelzer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kage lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kage throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kage is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stelzer looking to control.
Stelzer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Stelzer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kage postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kage wants to pass the guard but Stelzer is keeping the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kage postures up.

Stelzer is looking for a triangle but Kage pushes his legs off easily.
Kage lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kage scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kage trying to control the position from guard on top but Stelzer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stelzer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kage defends it easily.
Kage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kage is looking to work some ground and pound but Stelzer has wrist control.
Kage pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stelzer is keeping the position for now.
Kage is working hard here to advance position.
Stelzer keeping moving, preventing Kage from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Stelzer is trying to control the position but Kage postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Stelzer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kage looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Stelzer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kage sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kage connects with a leg kick. Stelzer looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Stelzer throws a hook to the side of Kage's head but Kage sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Left hook, right uppercut from Stelzer.
Kage on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kage lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stelzer keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Jab from Stelzer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage takes one on the button.
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!

Kage throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stelzer was covering up waiting for the punch and Kage finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kage content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kage throws an elbow that misses. Stelzer uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kage's guard. Nice move by Stelzer!

Kage is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stelzer is aware though and is defending well.
Stelzer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kage keeping full guard, as Stelzer tries to pass.
Stelzer trying to control the position from guard on top but Kage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kage has his foot on Stelzer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stelzer works his way back into a safe position though.
Stelzer trying to control but Kage is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Raijin Kage will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stelzer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kage is fending him off so far but Stelzer persists. Nope, Kage circles away and we're back to standing.
Kage feints and then cracks Stelzer's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stelzer down.
Kage steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stelzer.
Wolfram Stelzer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stelzer misses with a wild combination.
Stelzer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kage changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kage.
Kage gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Stelzer throws an off balance right hand

and Kage counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stelzer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kage.
Kage throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stelzer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kage trying to control the position from guard on top but Stelzer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kage got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stelzer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kage has managed to get both his arms back between Stelzer's legs - danger averted.
Stelzer trying to control the position.

Stelzer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Raijin Kage overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kage working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kage makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kage is pushing down on Stelzer's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stelzer is fighting to maintain full guard but Kage has managed to sneak the leg through.
Stelzer tries to get to full guard but Kage has control of the leg.
Kage missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stelzer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stelzer has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Stelzer is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kage slips a nice elbow through Stelzer's hands, connecting with Stelzer's forehead.
Stelzer is staying active underneath Kage, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stelzer is looking for a sweep. Kage is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stelzer is refusing to be controlled, as Kage sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kage is just content to waste time from the top position. Stelzer takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Stelzer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kage's guard.

Stelzer trying to control but Kage is working from the bottom.
Stelzer is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Stelzer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kage has his foot on Stelzer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stelzer works his way back into a safe position though.

Stelzer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stelzer throwing strikes but missing.
Kage keeping moving, preventing Stelzer from controlling successfully.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kage keeping full guard, as Stelzer tries to pass.

Kage looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stelzer trying to control the position from guard on top but Kage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kage tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stelzer trying to control but Kage is working from the bottom.
Stelzer lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kage manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stelzer manages to get himself to full guard.

Stelzer working for a triangle but Kage defends it easily.
Kage is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kage looking to sit in guard and control but Stelzer gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kage looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stelzer trying to control but Kage is working from the bottom.

Stelzer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kage has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stelzer has managed to get both his arms back between Kage's legs - danger averted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stelzer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kage is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raijin Kage 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!

Stelzer scores with a nice strike.
Stelzer looks for a takedown but Kage sprawls well.

Kage shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stelzer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Stelzer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kage gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kage pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stelzer is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kage distracts Stelzer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stelzer has momentary wrist control but Kage slips an elbow through the middle.
Kage trying to control but Stelzer is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kage stands up over Stelzer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Stelzer has his foot on Kage's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kage works his way back into a safe position though.
Stelzer keeping moving, preventing Kage from controlling successfully.
Kage looking to pass the guard.
Kage postures up.
Kage trying to control but Stelzer is working from the bottom.

Stelzer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kage gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Raijin Kage is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kage is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kage.
The referee asks Kage politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Kage prefers to stall for the moment though.
Stelzer is not content to let Kage control the position.
Stelzer tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stelzer is still trying to improve position.
Kage controls the position from side control.
Kage is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stelzer can do to turn this around?
Kage's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Stelzer tries to bench press Kage off him but Kage keeps the position.
Stelzer is letting Kage control him for a moment.
Stelzer wants to control but Kage postures up.
Kage remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Wolfram Stelzer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kage is looking to take a break and control but Stelzer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stelzer shoots in but no luck this time.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kage.
Stelzer throws a big shot that misses.
Stelzer looks to land a right hand but Kage moved out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kage.
Stelzer feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kages jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Kage shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stelzer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kage is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stelzer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kage gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raijin Kage showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kage, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raijin Kage!
A very excited looking Raijin Kage made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.