PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Stafford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Dias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gabriel Dias has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Stafford
vs
Dias

152 cm
19
278 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

199 cm
25
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Stafford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel Dias!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dias shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stafford is trying to defend but Dias finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Dias sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Let's hope that Dias has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Dias prevents Stafford from standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Still in half guard, Dias seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dias passes to side control.
Stafford is trying to buck Dias off.

Dias decides to stand back up. Dias steps back and let's Stafford get back to his feet.

Dias closes the distance and clinches.

Dias ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dias no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Stafford stopping the sweep attempt from Dias.
Stafford is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dias looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dias is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Stafford dives into side control.
Stafford could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Dias is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Dias is looking for a sweep. Stafford is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stafford not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dias has a hand on Stafford's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Stafford takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Dias flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Stafford thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dias tries to hold on but Stafford pushes him away.
Stafford wants to control the pace but Dias is squirming around nicely.
Dias tries to lock up and control but Stafford gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Stafford lands a heavy elbow.
Dias is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Dias sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Dias pushes Stafford off but Stafford dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stafford has control of an arm but Dias manages to advance to Stafford's back!
Dias misses with a punch to the head.
Stafford trying to control the action but Dias just sinks the hooks in.
Stafford is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stafford defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Dias's arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dias gets the takedown into side control.
Dias is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Stafford will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Dias working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Dias prevents Stafford from escaping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dias goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Stafford has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Dias but great work by Stafford.
You can see the frustration on Dias's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dias is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stafford off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafford covering up well under a series of strikes from Dias.
Dias throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stafford can't escape the position.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Stafford tries to roll but Dias sticks to his back.

That's two 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.
Good control from Dias.
Stafford looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Stafford is trying to get back to his feet but Dias has full control of the position and if anything, Stafford has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Dias avoiding Stafford 's attempts to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stafford covering up well and avoiding damage.
Stafford rolls, trying to escape but Dias keeps control of the position.
Dias throwing sloppy strikes.
Stafford manages to reverse the position and now he's in Dias's guard. Nice work there by Stafford.
Dias pulls Stafford in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dias tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dias is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Dias is trying to work for a kimura but Stafford is defending well.
Stafford has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dias is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dias in particular looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Dias showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Dias gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stafford goes for a takedown attempt but Dias pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Dias lands a left and a right that send Stafford crashing to the mat, dazed. Dias thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Stafford is rocked!

It looks like Pedro Stafford has been cut.

Dias closes the distance looking for a takedown. Dias picks Stafford up and slams him brutally to the floor. Stafford is out! He's out cold! Wow, you don't see a finish like that every day!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Slam). Gabriel Dias!