PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bogdan Vrinceanu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stacey Poole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vrinceanu comes to the cage accompanied by The Foggy dew. Stacey Poole has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vrinceanu
vs
Poole

180 cm
25
154 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
141 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bogdan Vrinceanu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Stacey Poole!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Winston Alpacca and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poole shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vrinceanu as he jumps to the side.
Poole lands a slapping body shot.
Poole wants to clinch up but Vrinceanu keeps it at a distance.
Vrinceanu throws a quick counter head kick but Poole was just out of range.
Vrinceanu looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Vrinceanu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Poole swivels and escapes.

Vrinceanu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Poole tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Poole is trying to pull guard but Vrinceanu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Poole escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vrinceanu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Vrinceanu darts in looking for a takedown but Poole gets double underhooks and turns Vrinceanu into the cage.
Poole has a takedown stuffed.
Bogdan Vrinceanu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stacey Poole.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Poole, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Poole shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vrinceanu sprawls well. Vrinceanu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Poole gets slowly back to his feet.
Poole tries to clinch but Vrinceanu moves out of range.
Vrinceanu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Vrinceanu fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Poole sprawls well initially but Vrinceanu persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Poole blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vrinceanu.
Poole is trying to get back to full guard.

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

Vrinceanu is working for a kimura but Poole is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poole has hold of Vrinceanu's hands but Vrinceanu slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Poole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vrinceanu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Vrinceanu not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Poole is defending against the submission attempts here by Vrinceanu.
Vrinceanu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vrinceanu.

Vrinceanu is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Poole sees it coming and defends easily.
Poole wants to control but Vrinceanu is keeping busy.

Vrinceanu is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vrinceanu is keen to just control but Poole is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Vrinceanu stops Poole from getting back to his feet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Vrinceanu looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Poole is trying to stand up here but Vrinceanu is controlling him well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Vrinceanu closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Poole did well to prevent Vrinceanu getting side control.
Vrinceanu is nestled in close to Poole, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Poole looks winded!
Vrinceanu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Poole's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bogdan Vrinceanu dominated that 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.

Vrinceanu closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Vrinceanu is looking to pass Poole's guard but actually Poole recovers to full guard.
Poole wants to sweep but no luck.
Vrinceanu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vrinceanu looking to sit in guard and control but Poole gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Vrinceanu has control of Poole's left arm, preventing Poole from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poole is looking to work some ground and pound but Vrinceanu has wrist control.
Poole is fighting to break Vrinceanu's control of his arms but Vrinceanu is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poole is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Poole drops back looking for a leg! Vrinceanu is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vrinceanu manages to kick Poole off! Poole jumps back into Vrinceanu's guard.
Vrinceanu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Poole on the ground.
Vrinceanu keeping moving, preventing Poole from controlling successfully.
Bogdan Vrinceanu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Vrinceanu holds on and takes a little breather.
Poole working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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.
Vrinceanu seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Poole tries to stand but Vrinceanu is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A head kick misses from Vrinceanu.
Vrinceanu shoots in looking for a takedown but Poole manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vrinceanu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Poole throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Vrinceanu is rocked!
Poole swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Vrinceanu counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Poole is breathing heavily.
Vrinceanu jumps guard but Poole turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Vrinceanu jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Poole walks away with a smile on his face. Vrinceanu gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bogdan Vrinceanu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poole tries a head kick but it misses.
Vrinceanu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Poole changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Poole moves to clinch but Vrinceanu breaks away
and Vrinceanu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Poole tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Poole is looking to clinch.
Poole throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vrinceanu's waist but Vrinceanu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Poole off to one side.

Vrinceanu changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Poole looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Poole is trying to control Vrinceanu's posture but Vrinceanu avoids it.

Vrinceanu is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Poole has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrinceanu grinds an elbow into Poole's temple.
Vrinceanu just content to control the position.
Vrinceanu working the ground and pound from side control.
Vrinceanu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Poole can do to turn this around?
Vrinceanu scoring with punches from side control.
Vrinceanu lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vrinceanu scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Poole to see if he's OK.
Vrinceanu landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vrinceanu closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Vrinceanu lands in his opponent's guard.
Vrinceanu trying to control but Poole is working from the bottom.
Poole utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vrinceanu postures up in Poole's guard and throws a big left but Poole blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vrinceanu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poole is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vrinceanu won't allow Poole to sweep him here.
Poole takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vrinceanu stands up from Poole's guard - Vrinceanu perhaps looking for a knockout.
Vrinceanu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Poole.
Poole tries for a takedown but Vrinceanu circles away easily
and Vrinceanu counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Poole is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Poole takes a kick to the side of the head.

Vrinceanu shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Poole is trying to defend but Vrinceanu finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Vrinceanu controlling the action here.
Vrinceanu not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrinceanu working the head and body with strikes.
Vrinceanu working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poole is looking for a sweep. Vrinceanu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Poole taking some punishment here, with Vrinceanu in his half guard.
Vrinceanu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Poole is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Vrinceanu scores with a couple of nice shots.
Vrinceanu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Vrinceanu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Vrinceanu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Poole is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Vrinceanu jumps into side control!

Vrinceanu decides to stand back up. Vrinceanu steps back and let's Poole get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vrinceanu looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Vrinceanu escapes and gets back to his feet.
Vrinceanu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vrinceanu misses with a head kick.
A combination from Poole does no damage.

Vrinceanu looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Vrinceanu is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Vrinceanu content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrinceanu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Vrinceanu wants to work for an arm triangle but Poole is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Poole is trying to stand back up but Vrinceanu is controlling him
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vrinceanu lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bogdan Vrinceanu clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vrinceanu slips a jab and a cross from Poole.
Vrinceanu fails with a takedown attempt.
Vrinceanu is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Poole.
Poole doesn't manage to clinch there - Vrinceanu circles away.
Vrinceanu blocks a head kick by Poole.
Vrinceanu blocks a head kick by Poole.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poole lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Vrinceanu lands a glancing blow to the side of Poole's head.
Poole is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Poole misses with a double jab.
Stacey Poole seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vrinceanu goes for a double leg but Poole avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Poole continues to drive forward.
Poole is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Stacey Poole is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vrinceanu gets the takedown into side control.
Vrinceanu landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Poole is trying to get back to half guard.
Vrinceanu scoring with punches and elbows.

Vrinceanu tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Vrinceanu has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Vrinceanu lands a few punches from side control.

Vrinceanu tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Vrinceanu.
Poole is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Vrinceanu connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Poole some visible discomfort.

Vrinceanu stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Vrinceanu lands a head kick. Poole smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Stacey Poole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poole gets caught napping as Vrinceanu dives in and scores a takedown. Poole manages to retain guard.

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

Vrinceanu keeping moving, preventing Poole from controlling successfully.
Vrinceanu has his hands on Poole's head, controlling the position.
Poole prevents Vrinceanu from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrinceanu has his hands on Poole's head, controlling the position.
Poole connects with a couple of short punches.
Poole trying to control but Vrinceanu is working from the bottom.
Poole working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vrinceanu controlling the position.

Vrinceanu pushes Poole off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Bogdan Vrinceanu will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Vrinceanu scores with a head kick.
A head kick from Vrinceanu lands but Poole takes it in his stride.
Poole tries to clinch but Vrinceanu is having none of it.
Poole throws a body shot but no joy.
Poole ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vrinceanu moves away.
Vrinceanu throwing a counter right hand but Poole manages to avoid it.
Vrinceanu scores with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poole is looking to clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vrinceanu.
Poole wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vrinceanu looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Vrinceanu goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Poole has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Vrinceanu but great work by Poole.
Poole is looking to take a break and control but Vrinceanu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Poole tries to score with some ground and pound. Vrinceanu controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Poole is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poole wants to control but Vrinceanu is keeping him busy.
Vrinceanu struggling a bit here.
Poole working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Vrinceanu stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Vrinceanu tries to improve position but can't.
Poole cracks Vrinceanu with a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrinceanu is trying to get back to half guard.
What's Vrinceanu going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Poole blocks the strikes from Vrinceanu.
The ground and pound from Poole seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Poole tries to stand but Vrinceanu is controlling his head.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Poole cracks Vrinceanu with a big right hand but Vrinceanu just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Poole works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Poole wants to stand but Vrinceanu has his arm trapped.
Poole throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Vrinceanu forces Poole back against the cage and clinches.

Vrinceanu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vrinceanu scores with a jab to the head.
Poole swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vrinceanu throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poole tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vrinceanu was well out of range. Poor timing from Poole.
Vrinceanu circles away from the clinch attempt

and Vrinceanu counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Poole has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Vrinceanu off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stacey Poole comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vrinceanu 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge David Hoff scores the fight for Bogdan Vrinceanu!
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight for Bogdan Vrinceanu!
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Bogdan Vrinceanu!

Bogdan Vrinceanu wins by unanimous decision!
Bogdan Vrinceanu is the new featherweight champion!
As Bogdan Vrinceanu got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Stacey is a solid competitor, Stacey is a warrior, but he shouldn't have been in here with me and that's just the truth of it.'.