PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brian Stanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Haverford (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. Haverford has chosen Jay-Z & Kanye West - N** In Paris as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Stanson
vs
Haverford

174 cm
34
178 lbs
20 - 12 - 1

180 cm
37
185 lbs
16 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

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 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Brian Stanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tom Haverford !
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, John Mangel and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haverford lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stanson cracks the inside of Haverford 's front leg.

Stanson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Stanson showed some decent athleticism there.
Haverford tries to roll over but Stanson keeps him under control.
Haverford is trying to maintain the position but Stanson is very close to passing his half guard.
Haverford blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stanson.
Haverford has hold of Stanson's hands but Stanson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haverford is trying to maintain the position but Stanson is very close to passing his half guard.
Haverford wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stanson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Haverford controls his leg.
Haverford regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanson passes into half guard.
Stanson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Haverford has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stanson is working away from the top position though.
Haverford is trying to get back to full guard.

Stanson is looking for a kimura but Haverford is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stanson to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Haverford manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stanson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Haverford is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Haverford is on top in guard.

Stanson keeping moving, preventing Haverford from controlling successfully.
Haverford looking to pass the guard.
Stanson wants to stand but Haverford is controlling the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stanson is adopting a defensive guard.
Stanson keeping full guard, as Haverford tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanson seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Haverford wants to control from the top but Stanson keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Haverford is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A low kick from Haverford misses

and Stanson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Stanson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Stanson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Haverford 's guard.
Haverford avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stanson throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Stanson throwing strikes from guard but Haverford blocks nicely.
Stanson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stanson connects with a couple of short punches.
Stanson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stanson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stanson is in close to Haverford 's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stanson wants to control from the top but Haverford keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Stanson dominated that round.
That's time! Stanson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Haverford lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Haverford misses with a low kick.
Stanson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haverford swivels and escapes.
Stanson closes the distance and clinches up with Haverford , looking for a takedown. Stanson pushes Haverford against the cage but Haverford circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Haverford throws a looping overhand right but Stanson ducks down to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Stanson.
Haverford is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stanson off and has taken his back!

Haverford looking for the choke but no joy.
Stanson avoids the strikes from Haverford .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haverford missing with strikes from the back.
Stanson is trying to stand back up.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Haverford 's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Haverford looking to break Stanson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Stanson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Haverford will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Haverford is persistently looking for the submission but Stanson is defending it well.
Will Haverford go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanson turns into Haverford and is now in his guard.
Stanson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Haverford is trying to stand.
Stanson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Haverford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stanson.
Haverford is trying to control but can't.
Stanson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Haverford can do to turn this around?
Stanson wants to stand up but Haverford is controlling the position.
Haverford is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stanson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stanson's back!

Haverford has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Stanson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Stanson turns into Haverford and is now in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanson slips nicely into half guard.
Stanson works his way into full mount!
Haverford tries to hold on but Stanson postures up.
Stanson raining down shots from the mount!
Haverford manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Haverford wants to improve his position but Stanson is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stanson is nestled in close to Haverford , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Haverford trying to hold on to Stanson's head to control him but Stanson postures up.
Haverford tries to roll over but Stanson keeps him under control.
Stanson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Haverford works his way to full guard. Good work.
Haverford working a defensive guard but Stanson manages to pass into side control anyway.
Haverford is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stanson off and has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Brian Stanson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Stanson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haverford swivels and escapes.

Stanson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Haverford is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Haverford makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Haverford .
Haverford controls Stanson momentarily but Stanson frees himself.
Stanson works over Haverford with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haverford looking for a sweep. Not yet Haverford , not yet.
Stanson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stanson trying to control the position from guard on top but Haverford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stanson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Haverford works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanson lands a couple of elbows.
Stanson prevents Haverford from getting back to his feet.
Stanson postures up.
Haverford wants to control the position but Stanson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Haverford is controlling Stanson's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Stanson throwing shots but Haverford is blocking nicely.
Haverford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stanson.
Stanson stalling.
Haverford trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A chopping leg kick lands by Haverford .

Stanson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Haverford is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Stanson swings around for an armbar but Haverford sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Stanson's guard.
Haverford in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Haverford working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Haverford tries to free his leg and advance position but Stanson is retaining full guard.
Haverford won't allow Stanson to sweep him here.
Haverford tries to free his leg and advance position but Stanson is retaining full guard.
Brian Stanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haverford is working Stanson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Stanson wants to sweep but no luck.
Stanson keeping moving, preventing Haverford from controlling successfully.
Haverford is looking to pass into half guard but Stanson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Stanson is in guard.

Haverford wants to sweep but no luck.
Stanson trying to control but Haverford is working from the bottom.
Haverford avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haverford has Stanson pulled in close to control his posture.
Haverford looking for a sweep. Not yet Haverford , not yet.
Stanson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haverford is keeping the position for now.
Haverford seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Haverford lands a lovely overhand right.
Stanson takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Haverford gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Stanson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tom Haverford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Haverford looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Stanson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stanson, 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Stanson!
An out of breath Brian Stanson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.