PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Porfirio Stanton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spaniel Cormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cormier is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by all about that cake. Spaniel Cormier is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Stanton
vs
Cormier

174 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Porfirio Stanton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Spaniel Cormier!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stanton dives in for a single leg takedown but Cormier sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Cormier closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Stanton's guard.
Stanton keeping moving, preventing Cormier from controlling successfully.
Cormier engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Cormier works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cormier trying to control from half guard but Stanton is working away.
Stanton is holding on to half guard well.

Cormier wants to work for an arm triangle but Stanton is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanton moves into full guard.
Stanton controls Cormier momentarily but Cormier frees himself.
Cormier postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cormier trying to control but Stanton is working from the bottom.
Cormier lands a couple of digs.
Stanton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cormier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stanton 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.

Cormier thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cormier working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Stanton keeping full guard, as Cormier tries to pass.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stanton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

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

Cormier is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stanton has managed to free his arm - good work.

Stanton actively working from the bottom here.
Cormier has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cormier winds up and cracks Stanton with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Cormier not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Cormier is working for a kimura but Stanton is defending it quite comfortably.
Cormier is keen to just control but Stanton is a slippery customer.

Cormier is working for a kimura but Stanton is defending it quite comfortably.
Cormier throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cormier thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stanton's head.
Stanton looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cormier throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cormier blocks the strikes from Stanton.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cormier not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cormier is thwarting Stanton's attempts to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cormier bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spaniel Cormier dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cormier closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stanton did well to prevent Cormier getting side control.

Cormier is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stanton sees it coming and defends easily.
Cormier is thwarting Stanton's attempts to control the position.
Stanton moves into full guard.
Cormier wants to control from the top but Stanton keeps moving.
Spaniel Cormier has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cormier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanton has control of Cormier's left arm, preventing Cormier from doing any damage.
Stanton really is a fat lump.
Stanton throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Cormier trying to control but Stanton is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cormier's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stanton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cormier swats away the attempt to clinch by Stanton.

Cormier decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cormier trying to control the action but Stanton is working from the bottom.
Stanton trying to control but Cormier postures up.
Stanton avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cormier.
Stanton trying to control from the bottom.

Cormier is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Cormier seems to be working for a kimura but Stanton defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanton keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Stanton trying to control but Cormier postures up.
Cormier is looking to advance position but Stanton won't allow it.

Cormier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Cormier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stanton defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cormier seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stanton does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Cormier is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stanton has managed to free his arm - good work.

Cormier is working for a kimura but Stanton is defending it quite comfortably.
Stanton is staying active underneath Cormier, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cormier thows a huge punch but Stanton dodges it nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Cormier fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stanton sprawls well initially but Cormier persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spaniel Cormier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cormier drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Stanton's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cormier trying to control the action but Stanton is working from the bottom.
Stanton manages to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cormier looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stanton with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Stanton moves into full guard.
Cormier wants to control from the top but Stanton keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cormier throws a big elbow that misses.
Cormier trying to control the position from guard on top but Stanton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cormier postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Stanton is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cormier, into his guard.

Stanton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Cormier pushes Stanton off and gets back to his feet.

Stanton scores with a takedown into Cormier's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Stanton drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cormier dives on top into guard.

Stanton is trying to control the position but Cormier postures up.

Cormier is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stanton is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stanton has escaped and now he's on top!

Stanton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cormier's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cormier is looking to stand up but Stanton isn't so interested in that idea.

Stanton drops back looking for a leg! Cormier is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cormier manages to kick Stanton off! Stanton jumps back into Cormier's guard.
Stanton won't allow Cormier to sweep him here.

Cormier is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stanton defends well.
Stanton prevents Cormier from getting back to his feet.
Spaniel Cormier is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cormier looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stanton is one step ahead there.
Cormier is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cormier wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Stanton manages to pass to side control.

Stanton is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cormier doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stanton.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stanton is working for a kimura but Cormier is defending it quite comfortably.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Spaniel Cormier.
Well Cormier has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spaniel Cormier!
In his post fight interview, Spaniel Cormier started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.