PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fredrik Stenberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Rizzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fredrik Stenberg has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stenberg
vs
Rizzo

177 cm
21
149 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

162 cm
21
149 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
GREEN!160

Héritage!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fredrik Stenberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frank Rizzo!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab lands there for Stenberg.
Rizzo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stenberg sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Stenberg checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rizzo closes the distance looking to clinch
and Stenberg counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rizzo thinking.
Stenberg stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rizzo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stenberg stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rizzo misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Stenberg to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice sprawl there from Rizzo as Stenberg shoots in.
Rizzo throws a head kick but Stenberg moves out of range.
Stenberg lands with a straight right. Rizzo didn't see that one coming.
Rizzo misses with a hook
and Stenberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stenberg punishes Rizzo's body with a nice straight punch.
Stenberg throws a hook to the side of Rizzo's head but Rizzo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rizzo moves out of range as Stenberg strikes.
Stenberg is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Stenberg connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenberg looks to land a left hand but Rizzo moved out of range nicely.
Stenberg works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Stenberg connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Frank Rizzo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stenberg connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stenberg is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Stenberg throws an off balance right hand

and Rizzo counters by moving into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stenberg.
Stenberg lands a body punch in the clinch.
Stenberg tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rizzo just stands there and leans against the cage.
I was talking to Stenberg's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Stalling in the clinch from Rizzo.
Rizzo misses with some punches.
Stenberg tries to circle away but Rizzo has him pinned against the cage.
Rizzo has a couple of punches blocked by Stenberg.
Rizzo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rizzo.
Rizzo has Stenberg pushed against the cage.
Rizzo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg lands a nice uppercut.

Stenberg pulls guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stenberg has his hands on Rizzo's head, controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rizzo postures up.

Stenberg looking for a guillotine here but Rizzo defends easily.

Stenberg is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rizzo defends well.
Rizzo stopping the sweep attempt from Stenberg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg is trying to control the position but Rizzo postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rizzo wants to pass the guard but Stenberg is keeping the position.
Stenberg is controlling Rizzo's posture.
Rizzo passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rizzo works to advance to full mount. Stenberg defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Stenberg tries to hold on but Rizzo pushes him away.

That's four 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.
Stenberg bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rizzo working a defensive guard here.
Rizzo looking to control but Stenberg passes into half guard.
Rizzo is looking for a sweep. Stenberg is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rizzo is refusing to be controlled, as Stenberg sits in half guard.
Stenberg passes to full mount!
Rizzo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stenberg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rizzo doesn't seem bothered though.
Stenberg swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rizzo.
Stenberg dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stenberg keeps the fight on the outside.
Stenberg misses with a body shot.
Rizzo throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Stenberg counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Rizzo!
Stenberg is looking to take a break and control but Rizzo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stenberg is really struggling to control Rizzo but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Rizzo tries to bench press Stenberg off him but Stenberg keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo is not content to let Stenberg control the position.
Rizzo is trying to get back to his feet.
Stenberg moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Fredrik Stenberg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rizzo regains half guard.
Stenberg stops Rizzo from getting back to his feet.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

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.
Rizzo is pressing down on Stenberg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stenberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Rizzo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rizzo throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stenberg escapes and throws Rizzo's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Stenberg is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rizzo can do to turn this around?
Stenberg trying to control the action but Rizzo is working from the bottom.
Rizzo is trying to control Stenberg's posture but Stenberg avoids it.
Stenberg will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rizzo is looking to regain half guard here but Stenberg keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rizzo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stenberg makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rizzo throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Stenberg to counter with a crisp jab.
Rizzo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rizzo lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rizzo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Stenberg steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rizzo.
Stenberg digs a good hook to Rizzo's body.
Rizzo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rizzo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Stenberg defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stenberg.
Stenberg lands a really nice looking cross but Rizzo seems unphased.
Fredrik Stenberg is winning the standup battle so far.
Rizzo looks to throw a body kick
and Stenberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rizzo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rizzo tries to clinch up.
Stenberg wants to clinch up but Rizzo keeps it at a distance.
Stenberg stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stenberg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stenberg uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rizzo.
Stenberg was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rizzo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
An attempted straight right counter from Stenberg misses the target.
Stenberg looks to score with a jab to the body but Rizzo is just out of range.
Rizzo cracks Stenberg with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A lazy left from Stenberg finds it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fredrik Stenberg dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stenberg throws out a loose jab but Rizzo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rizzo feints the counter takedown.
Stenberg scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rizzo is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Stenberg lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stenberg sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Stenberg lands with a straight right. Rizzo didn't see that one coming.
That kick from Rizzo tenderised Stenberg's leg. Stenberg is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stenberg is looking to clinch.
Rizzo throws an off balance right hand
and Stenberg counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rizzo thinking.
Stenberg swings widly with a right hand

and Rizzo counters by moving into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rizzo.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rizzo.
Stenberg jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rizzo walks away with a smile on his face. Stenberg gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stenberg lands the left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stenberg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rizzo doesn't seem bothered though.
Rizzo throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stenberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenberg lands a right hook to the body.
Stenberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rizzo.
Rizzo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Stenberg misses the target.
Stenberg connects with a jab.
Stenberg checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Stenberg smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rizzo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Decent striking displayed by Stenberg there.
Stenberg sizes up Rizzo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rizzo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rizzo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rizzo wants it to stay on the feet.
Stenberg moves out of range as Rizzo throws a body kick.
Rizzo throws a body kick that misses
and Stenberg counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed right hand from Rizzo misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo throws a head kick but Stenberg moves out of range.
Stenberg scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Stenberg lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stenberg digs a good hook to Rizzo's body.
Stenberg cracks Rizzo with a good jab.

Stenberg closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rizzo manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rizzo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stenberg backwards.
Rizzo avoiding damage.
Stenberg blocks an elbow strike from Rizzo.
Stenberg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rizzo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fredrik Stenberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenberg uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rizzo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stenberg has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rizzo misses with the head strike.
Stenberg misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Stenberg - that landed with a thud.
Rizzo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stenberg up against the cage.
Rizzo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rizzo blocking some punches.
Frank Rizzo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rizzo lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Stenberg.
Rizzo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rizzo avoiding damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stenberg.
Stenberg misses with a punch on the inside.
Rizzo is pushing Stenberg up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Stenberg lands a nice uppercut.
Stenberg blocking some punches.
Rizzo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stenberg blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rizzo working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fredrik Stenberg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stenberg, 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fredrik Stenberg!
A victorious Fredrik Stenberg thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.