PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Erik Kramer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alastair Stirling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kramer
vs
Stirling

175 cm
29
175 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

187 cm
30
175 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erik Kramer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alastair Stirling!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Stirling lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kramer doesn't seem phased though.
Stirling with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kramer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kramer.
Kramer lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stirling backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Stirling.
Stirling fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kramer throws a punch but it's blocked by Stirling.
Stirling blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kramer fails to land.

Stirling's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A slow jab from Stirling misses its intended target.
Kramer attempts a counter takedown but Stirling avoids it well and moves away.
Kramer is looking to clinch but Stirling is avoiding it.

Kramer has taken the fight to the clinch.

Stirling has Kramer pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Stirling pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kramer tumbling to the mat - Stirling dives into Kramer's guard.

Kramer pushes Stirling off and gets back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Alastair Stirling seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stirling throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Kramer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kramer.
Kramer misses with the head strike.
Kramer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stirling is looking to break free of the clinch but Kramer has double underhooks.
Stirling lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kramer throws a head punch that misses.
Kramer working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kramer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stirling lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Stirling takes a shot to the head.
Kramer misses with a punch on the inside.
Kramer prevents the takedown attempt.
Kramer prevents a body shot from Stirling.
Stirling digs a right hand into Kramer's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kramer's gas tank.
A short left from Kramer.
Kramer misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Kramer fails to land.

Stirling breaks the clinch.
Stirling throws a hook but Kramer avoids it easily.
Stirling keeps the fight on the outside.
Stirling is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kramer with a body shot.
Kramer tries to clinch up but Stirling circles away and keeps his distance.
Stirling swings away with a body shot that misses

and Kramer counters by clinching up.

Stirling manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stirling is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stirling controlling Kramer's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stirling is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stirling has control of Kramer's left arm, preventing Kramer from doing any damage.
Stirling looking to control.
Stirling looking for a sweep. Not yet Stirling, not yet.
Stirling managing to control the position.
Stirling trying to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kramer looks for a takedown but Stirling sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stirling throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stirling with a jab.
Stirling misses with a head kick.
Kramer swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Stirling scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kramer in his tracks.
Nice sprawl there from Stirling as Kramer shoots in.

Stirling gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stirling.

Stirling breaks from the clinch.
Kramer throws a body kick that misses.
Stirling avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stirling looks to score with a jab to the body but Kramer is just out of range.
Kramer shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Kramer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kramer clinches up against the cage.
Stirling tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stirling taking a breather.
A head punch on the inside from Kramer fails to land.

Stirling escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stirling throws a body punch but Kramer moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stirling takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Alastair Stirling has been cut.
Stirling is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kramer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stirling.
Kramer lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stirling backs up against the cage.
Kramer fails with a takedown attempt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Stirling scores with a body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kramer or perhaps it was just good defense by Stirling, which made it look bad.
Kramer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stirling as he avoids it easily.
Stirling throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stirling is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kramer.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stirling throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jab from Stirling.
Stirling throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stirling connects with a right hand. Kramer shakes it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alastair Stirling will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alastair Stirling's cut.
That's time! Kramer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kramer takes the fight into the clinch.
Kramer blocks an uppercut.
Stirling blocks an uppercut.
Stirling is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kramer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kramer takes a shot to the head.
Stirling blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kramer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kramer misses with a punch on the inside.
Stirling lands a shoulder strike.
Kramer tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kramer swings wildly with an uppercut but Stirling uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kramer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stirling lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kramer's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Kramer is fighting off a takedown attempt but Stirling is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kramer to the mat. Kramer regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Kramer scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stirling has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Kramer closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kramer tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Stirling is looking to regain half guard here but Kramer keeps moving and retains side control.
Stirling can't do much from the bottom here.
Stirling tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kramer working away.
Stirling stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stirling can't do much from the bottom here.
Stirling gets back to half guard.
Stirling is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Stirling is trying to get back to full guard.
Stirling moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kramer won't allow Stirling to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kramer is fighting to break Stirling's control of his arms but Stirling is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Stirling is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stirling seems keen to control Kramer's posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Kramer scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Stirling is looking to reverse the position.
Kramer working away.
Kramer tries to stand but Stirling is controlling his head.
Stirling tries to bench press Kramer off him but Kramer keeps the position.

Kramer stands up and beckons Stirling to his feet.
Kramer shoots in for a double leg but Stirling sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stirling throws a low kick, looking for Kramer's leg but Kramer calmly moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kramer dives in and grabs Stirling's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stirling pushes down on Kramer's head and hops out.
Kramer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the liver by Stirling. Beautiful body shot.
Stirling throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kramer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stirling swivels and escapes.
A nice side step and Stirling releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Kramer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kramer shoots in but Stirling avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stirling scores with a shot to the body.
Kramer thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stirling if he has to take too many more of those.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stirling throws a leg kick but Kramer checks it.
Stirling swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kramer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stirling throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kramer connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kramer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stirling swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stirling attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
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 Erik Kramer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alastair Stirling'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stirling looks to land a body kick but Kramer moved away.
Stirling is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kramer rather than just go for the knockout.
Stirling scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kramer takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stirling throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stirling swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kramer feinted with a counter takedown.
Kramer tries to close the distance and clinch but Stirling swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kramer shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Stirling wants to control but Kramer is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kramer prevents Stirling from improving his position.
Stirling is doing well to control the position and prevent Kramer from advancing to side control.
Stirling slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kramer is looking to stand up but Stirling won't let him.
Stirling looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Stirling throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stirling has a closed guard, preventing Kramer from standing up.
Stirling seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Stirling is continuing to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stirling misses with a looping right.
Kramer seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

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.
Kramer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Erik Kramer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stirling keeps the fight on the outside.
Stirling throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Kramer looking to score a takedown here. Stirling is defending well but Kramer drives through and ends up in Stirling's guard.
Kramer is looking to stand up but Stirling won't let him.
Stirling is controlling Kramer's posture.
Kramer preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stirling has Kramer pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stirling is on top in guard.

Stirling missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stirling postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stirling with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stirling trying to control but Kramer is working from the bottom.
Stirling throws a big right hand that misses.
Stirling postures up in Kramer's guard and throws a big left but Kramer blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stirling postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
My spies in Malmi Aitta inform me that Stirling has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Stirling throws a strike but Kramer rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kramer won't allow Stirling to sweep him here.
Stirling trying to control the position here.
Kramer wants to get up but he can't break Stirling's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stirling wants to sweep but no luck.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stirling controlling Kramer's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kramer gets in close and instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alastair Stirling.
I think Stirling has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Erik Kramer!