PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Abalajon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Georgi Stanev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stanev has chosen Shinedown - Cut the Cord as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Abalajon
vs
Stanev

189 cm
24
226 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
265 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, George Abalajon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Georgi Stanev!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jorge Garcia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stanev throws a head kick that misses.
Abalajon was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Abalajon stuffs the takedown.

Stanev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Stanev tries to stand but can't do so whilst Abalajon controls his leg.
Stanev is thwarting Abalajon's attempts to control the position.
Stanev wants to stand up but Abalajon manages to regain full guard.
Stanev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Abalajon is proving hard to escape from.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abalajon wants to sweep here but Stanev controlling him for the moment.
Stanev tries to stand but Abalajon is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stanev gets to his feet - Abalajon follows without any prompting.
Stanev shoots for a double leg takedown but Abalajon sprawls well. He's pushed Stanev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stanev shoots in for a double leg but Abalajon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Abalajon swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
George Abalajon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Georgi Stanev.
Abalajon takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like George Abalajon has been cut.
Stanev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A head kick misses from Stanev.
Stanev misses with a takedown
and Abalajon counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Stanev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Abalajon as he avoids it easily.
Abalajon lands with a shot to the body.
Stanev throws a body kick that misses

and Abalajon counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Abalajon.
Stanev being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanev wants to get back to his feet but Abalajon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Abalajon controls from within his opponent's guard.
Abalajon might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Stanev has his feet on Abalajon's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A bone on bone clash there as Abalajon blocks the leg kick.
Georgi Stanev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stanev misses with a takedown
and Abalajon counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stanev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Abalajon if he has to take too many more of those.
Stanev lands with a kick to the temple. Abalajon shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Stanev throws a head kick but Abalajon moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Abalajon counters with a straight right hand.
Stanev throws a head kick that Abalajon semi-blocks.
Stanev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Abalajon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stanev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Abalajon is fending him off so far but Stanev persists. Nope, Abalajon circles away and we're back to standing.
Abalajon attempts a counter takedown but Stanev avoids it well and moves away.
Stanev throws out a leg kick but Abalajon moves out of range and Stanev only half commits.
A quick step to the side and Abalajon tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stanev looks to land a body kick but Abalajon moved away.
Abalajon attempts a counter takedown but Stanev avoids it well and moves away.
Stanev tries for a takedown but Abalajon circles away easily
and Abalajon counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stanev thinking.
Stanev shoots for a double leg takedown but Abalajon sprawls well. He's pushed Stanev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stanev fails with the takedown
and Abalajon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stanev gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Abalajon counters with a right hand to the body.
Stanev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Abalajon checks a low kick from Stanev.
Abalajon throwing a counter right hand but Stanev manages to avoid it.
Stanev misses with a takedown
and Abalajon counters with a nice body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abalajon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stanev throws a head kick that misses.
Stanev misses with a low kick.
Abalajon swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A head kick misses from Stanev.
Stanev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Abalajon circles away.
Stanev misses with a takedown attempt
and Abalajon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stanev looks winded!
Stanev misses with a takedown
and Abalajon counters with a nice body shot.

Abalajon closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stanev to the mat! Stanev manages to get full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that George Abalajon will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on George Abalajon's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stanev throws a body kick that misses.
Stanev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Abalajon is fending him off so far but Stanev persists. Nope, Abalajon circles away and we're back to standing.
George Abalajon is winning the standup battle so far.
Stanev looks to land a body kick but Abalajon moved away.
Abalajon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stanev.

Abalajon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stanev is trying to defend but Abalajon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Still in half guard, Abalajon seems content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abalajon seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Stanev for as long as he can get away with.
Stanev is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abalajon seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abalajon is nestled in close to Stanev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
George Abalajon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Abalajon in particular looking to stall.
Stanev tries to kick Abalajon off but Abalajon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Abalajon trying to control the pace.
Stanev tries to kick Abalajon off but Abalajon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nice sprawl there from Abalajon as Stanev shoots in.
Abalajon tries to counter with a takedown but Stanev is quick to defend against it.
George Abalajon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Georgi Stanev.
Abalajon stuffs the takedown attempt from Stanev. Stanev gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Abalajon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stanev.

Stanev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Abalajon napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Stanev has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nice sprawl there from Abalajon as Stanev shoots in.
Stanev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abalajon is looking to counter with a body kick.
A low kick from Stanev misses
and Stanev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stanev throws a sloppy head kick and Abalajon moves out of range easily.
Abalajon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Stanev is breathing heavily.
Stanev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Abalajon avoids it really well and circles away.
Abalajon was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Abalajon is looking to wear down Stanev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Abalajon's waist but Abalajon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stanev off to one side.
It looked like Abalajon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stanev.
A head kick by Stanev misses

and Abalajon counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Abalajon content to stall in guard here.
Abalajon stops Stanev from standing up.
Abalajon is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Abalajon's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Stanev wants to stand and escape but Abalajon is having none of it.
Stanev can't keep his opponent in guard - Abalajon advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Abalajon trying to mount his opponent but Stanev defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Stanev tries to kick Abalajon off but Abalajon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abalajon perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Stanev is trying to stand up here but Abalajon is controlling him well.
Stanev is looking to get back to is feet but Abalajon passes into side control.
Abalajon controls the position.
Stanev tries to escape but Abalajon is in control.
Abalajon is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Abalajon prevents Stanev from escaping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stanev seems a little lost for a moment, as Abalajon dominates the positioning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Abalajon dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on George Abalajon's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Stanev does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
It looked like Abalajon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stanev.
A head kick by Stanev misses
and Abalajon makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stanev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Abalajon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stanev throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A counter left hand to the body from Abalajon misses its target.
Abalajon blocks a head kick by Stanev.
Abalajon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Stanev shoots and misses
and Abalajon counters with a right hand to the body.
Stanev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Abalajon is able to avoid easily.
Abalajon blocks a head kick by Stanev.
It looked like Abalajon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stanev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stanev throws a sloppy head kick and Abalajon moves out of range easily.
Stanev throws a low kick but it's checked well by Abalajon.
It looked like Abalajon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stanev.
Stanev throws a lazy head kick
and Abalajon counters with a three punch combo that has Stanev backing up. Stanev nods at Abalajon to acknowledge the strikes.
Stanev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stanev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Abalajon tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Stanev is in Abalajon's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abalajon wants to sweep here but Stanev controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanev wants to stand but Abalajon has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Abalajon pulls Stanev in close to prevent any damage.
Stanev wants to get up but he can't break Abalajon's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Abalajon looking for a sweep. Not yet Abalajon, not yet.
Abalajon pulls Stanev in to control the position.
Stanev tries to stand but Abalajon is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stanev tries for a takedown but Abalajon circles away easily

and Abalajon counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Stanev!
George Abalajon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Georgi Stanev.
Abalajon advances to mount.
Georgi Stanev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanev's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Abalajon takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
We've been hearing that Abalajon has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Stanev squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Abalajon controlling his opponent.
Stanev is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Abalajon trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Abalajon content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abalajon tries to control but Stanev wriggling away.
Abalajon controlling from mount.
Further stalling from Abalajon.
Stanev throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Abalajon tries to control but Stanev wriggling away.
Stanev wants to get back to his feet.
George Abalajon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stanev has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stanev is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Stanev trying desperately to get to his feet.
Abalajon cracks Stanev with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Abalajon blocks Stanev's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Stanev swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Abalajon controlling the pace for now.
Stanev swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Stanev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Stanev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Stanev swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abalajon blocks Stanev's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Abalajon tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stanev throwing hammer fists to the chest of Abalajon. What's that going to do exactly?

And that's the end of the fight!
George Abalajon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Abalajon has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Abalajon!