PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Noah Zelazny (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stoic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Noah Zelazny could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Victor Stoic's chin.

Zelazny
vs
Stoic

175 cm
19
166 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
28
167 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

BlackStar Athletics

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Noah Zelazny!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Victor Stoic!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Bruno Lombardi and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zelazny moves into the clinch successfully.

Stoic tightens his grip and picks Zelazny up, before dumping him to the ground. Zelazny manages to land in guard.
Stoic stopping the sweep attempt from Zelazny.
Zelazny utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Zelazny looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stoic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stoic tries to free his leg and advance position but Zelazny is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stoic lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stoic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stoic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stoic scoring with some ground and pound.
Stoic stands up over Zelazny, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stoic scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zelazny wants to sweep here but Stoic controlling him for the moment.
Stoic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stoic throws a strike but Zelazny rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zelazny throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoic is controlling Zelazny's posture.
Stoic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stoic seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Stoic has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at The Factory. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Stoic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zelazny.
Zelazny preventing the sweep.
Zelazny stops Stoic from standing up.
Zelazny trying to control the position from guard on top but Stoic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stoic manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Zelazny lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stoic is looking for a sweep. Zelazny is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've been hearing that Zelazny has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Stoic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Zelazny gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
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!
Zelazny is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stoic wants to stand but Zelazny is controlling the position.
Zelazny throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stoic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stoic wants to stand up but Zelazny is controlling him.
Stoic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stoic wants to get back to his feet but Zelazny is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zelazny throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stoic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoic wants to get back to his feet but Zelazny is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zelazny tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stoic paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Zelazny gets caught napping as Stoic dives in and scores a takedown. Zelazny manages to retain guard.
Zelazny trying to keep a closed guard but Stoic is proving a slippery customer.
Stoic landing with the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zelazny is on top in guard.

Stoic kicks Zelazny off and gets to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zelazny.

Zelazny tries to sprawl but Stoic drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Stoic working Zelazny over with strikes.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Zelazny is looking to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zelazny trying to control but Stoic postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zelazny wants to improve his position but Stoic is controlling well.
Zelazny is looking to control Stoic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zelazny avoid being mounted?
Zelazny is refusing to be controlled, as Stoic sits in half guard.
Stoic slips a nice elbow through Zelazny's hands, connecting with Zelazny's forehead.
Zelazny is trying to get back to full guard.
Zelazny is trying is best to control the position here.
Zelazny wants to control but Stoic is keeping busy.
Stoic missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zelazny regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Stoic.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stoic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stoic dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stoic shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Stoic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Victor Stoic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zelazny is refusing to be controlled, as Stoic sits in half guard.
Stoic is nestled in close to Zelazny, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stoic landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stoic takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stoic thows a huge punch but Zelazny dodges it nicely.
Zelazny is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stoic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stoic's back!
Stoic wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoic is trying to remain composed but Zelazny is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoic is trying to stand back up.

Stoic manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.

Zelazny tries to sprawl but Stoic drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Stoic looks to land a strike but Zelazny avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Stoic works over Zelazny with some ground and pound from guard.
Zelazny can't keep his opponent in guard - Stoic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stoic thows a huge punch but Zelazny dodges it nicely.
Zelazny blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stoic.
Stoic is thwarting Zelazny's attempts to control the position.
Zelazny on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zelazny tries to get out of the position.
Stoic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zelazny trying to hold on to Stoic's head to control him but Stoic postures up.
Stoic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zelazny does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoic working Zelazny over with strikes.
Zelazny won't allow Stoic to pass to mount.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zelazny manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zelazny trying to strike off his back.
Stoic tries to free his leg and advance position but Zelazny is retaining full guard.
Stoic postures up in Zelazny's guard and throws a big left but Zelazny blocks it.
Zelazny will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Zelazny is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stoic defends well.
Stoic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stoic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stoic controls from within his opponent's guard.
Stoic working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zelazny's head.
Zelazny pulls Stoic in to control the position.
Stoic with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelazny looking to control.
Stoic stopping the sweep attempt from Zelazny.
Stoic postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Stoic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Stoic in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Zelazny is looking for a sweep.
Stoic working the head and body with strikes.
Zelazny is working to avoid the ground and pound but Stoic connects with a decent elbow.
Stoic trying to control the position but Zelazny is working away.
Zelazny gets back to half guard.
Zelazny is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stoic scores with a couple of nice shots.
Zelazny is pressing down on Stoic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoic working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zelazny's head.
Stoic throws a big elbow that misses.
Stoic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zelazny is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stoic postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zelazny looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stoic trying to control but Zelazny is working from the bottom.
Stoic advances position into side control!
Stoic is chipping away with strikes.
Zelazny tries to buck Stoic off but Stoic is having none of it.
Stoic scoring with punches and elbows.
Zelazny is looking for a sweep.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
You can see the frustration on Zelazny's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stoic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Zelazny's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Stoic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zelazny did well to prevent Stoic getting side control.
Stoic lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stoic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zelazny is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zelazny is controlling Stoic's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Stoic wants to pass to mount but Zelazny is defending the position.
Zelazny keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stoic looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoic seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Zelazny gets back to full guard.
Zelazny tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoic with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stoic's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stoic tries to free his leg and advance position but Zelazny is retaining full guard.
Stoic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stoic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stoic stands and throws Zelazny's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stoic looks up at the clock and then as Zelazny takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Stoic smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Zelazny sneaks back into half guard.
Stoic wants to free his trapped foot but Zelazny is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Stoic missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zelazny gets back to full guard.
Stoic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zelazny lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zelazny is in close to Stoic's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zelazny prevents Stoic from getting back to his feet.
Stoic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zelazny's guard.

Stoic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zelazny works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stoic pushes down on Zelazny's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Zelazny on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zelazny moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Zelazny escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stoic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zelazny is trying to control the position but Stoic postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoic working some strikes from top position.
Stoic throws a big right hand that misses.
Stoic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zelazny is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stoic lands a couple of digs.
Stoic forces his way into half guard.
Zelazny has hold of Stoic's hands but Stoic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zelazny is looking to improve his position.
Stoic lands with a punch from half guard.
Stoic looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Zelazny on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stoic lands a nice short elbow.
Noah Zelazny has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoic is pressing down on Zelazny's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zelazny is holding on for now.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stoic connects with a nice short shot to Zelazny's temple.
Zelazny gets back to full guard.
Stoic tries to free his leg and advance position but Zelazny is retaining full guard.
Stoic trying to control the position from guard on top but Zelazny is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stoic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zelazny trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Stoic with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zelazny is controlling Stoic's posture.

Zelazny is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stoic defends well.
Zelazny tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Stoic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stoic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Victor Stoic!
Victor Stoic gave a mention to BlackStar Athletics in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).