PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Panayiotis Stavros (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Birchack (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Panayiotis Stavros has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Stavros
vs
Birchack

160 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

159 cm
24
138 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Panayiotis Stavros!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Anthony Birchack!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Birchack steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Stavros. That one must have hurt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Stavros - that will leave a mark!
A nice inside leg kick there by Stavros. That's going to slow Birchack down.
Stavros plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Birchack takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Stavros thuds his shin into the meat of Birchack's side.
Stavros cracks the inside of Birchack's front leg.
Birchack takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Stavros throws a sloppy head kick

and Birchack counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stavros won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Birchack is putting a hurting on Stavros here, landing some big shots from side control.
Stavros is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Birchack's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Stavros throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Ground and pound from Birchack.
Birchack working Stavros over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stavros wants to get back to full guard.
Stavros is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Russian Bears Training Center that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Birchack trying to mount his opponent but Stavros defends it.
Stavros has hold of Birchack's hands but Birchack slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Birchack working the head and body with strikes.
Birchack lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stavros regains full guard. Nicely done.
Birchack landing some decent shots from guard.
Birchack working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Stavros's head.
Birchack with a nice head shot there.
Birchack won't allow Stavros to sweep him here.
Birchack connects with a couple of short punches.
Birchack scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Stavros looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Birchack scoring with some ground and pound.

Stavros throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Birchack scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stavros trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Stavros has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Birchack lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stavros is on top in guard.

Birchack looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Stavros puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Stavros tries to pass to full mount but Birchack defends it.
Birchack gets full guard.
Birchack utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Birchack can do anything to dispel that myth.
Stavros won't allow Birchack to sweep him here.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Birchack keeps trying to improve his position.
Birchack is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Stavros tries to free his leg and advance position but Birchack is retaining full guard.
Stavros preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stavros sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Birchack wants to sweep but no luck.
Stavros slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Stavros lands some shots froms side control.
Stavros working the ground and pound.
Birchack tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Stavros wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Stavros tries for a kimura but Birchack is defending well.

Stavros decides to stand back up.
Birchack takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Stavros throws a lazy body kick

and Birchack counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birchack postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Birchack working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stavros looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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!
Birchack scoring with some ground and pound.

Stavros has his foot on Birchack's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Birchack works his way back into a safe position though.
Stavros has momentary wrist control but Birchack slips an elbow through the middle.
Birchack must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Birchack scoring with some ground and pound.

Stavros has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Birchack can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stavros bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Birchack's guard.

Birchack throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Birchack tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Birchack looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stavros passes into half guard.
Stavros lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Birchack will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stavros lands a glancing blow to the side of Birchack's head.
Stavros chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Stavros jabs Birchack to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Stavros pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Birchack with the counter takedown but Stavros avoids it easily.
Stavros thows a body kick. Birchack tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Panayiotis Stavros seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Birchack has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Stavros finds it's way round the side to connect with Birchack's head.
Stavros bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Birchack on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Stavros tries a head kick but it misses.
Stavros gets off balance looking for a body kick

so Birchack counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stavros looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stavros lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Stavros with a nice head shot there.
Stavros trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Birchack looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Birchack lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Stavros content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stavros seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Birchack wants to sweep but no luck.
Birchack will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stavros trying to control but Birchack is working from the bottom.
Birchack lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Birchack working some strikes from top position.
Birchack connects with a couple of short punches.

Stavros looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Birchack with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Birchack wants to pass the guard but Stavros is keeping the position.
Birchack stopping the sweep attempt from Stavros.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stavros is on top in guard.

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!
Birchack can't keep his opponent in guard - Stavros advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stavros connects with a nice short shot to Birchack's temple.
Birchack wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stavros wants to stand up but Birchack is controlling the position.
Stavros prevents Birchack from improving his position.
Stavros working Birchack over with strikes.
Birchack missing with punches from the bottom.
Birchack wants to improve his position but Stavros is controlling well.
Stavros trying to control from half guard but Birchack is working away.
Birchack wants to get back to full guard but Stavros has mounted him!
Birchack can't escape the position.
Birchack 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birchack lands with a few short shots to the body.

Stavros escapes and gets back to his feet.
Stavros misses with a kick to the body

and Birchack counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Stavros!
Birchack is breathing heavily.
Birchack working the head with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stavros manages to work his way to half guard, despite Birchack's best efforts.
Birchack not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Birchack connects with a nice short shot to Stavros's temple.

Stavros is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Birchack pulls his head out easily.
Stavros is pressing down on Birchack's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Birchack with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stavros is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stavros prevents Birchack from improving his position.

Stavros is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Birchack has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stavros seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Panayiotis Stavros dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Stavros throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Birchack has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Stavros.
Birchack tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Birchack takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stavros throws a nice inside leg kick.
Birchack sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A head kick from Stavros lands but Birchack takes it in his stride.
Stavros delivers a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stavros throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stavros.
Stavros stuns Birchack with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Anthony Birchack is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stavros scores with a three punch combo!
Jab by Stavros.
A lazy body kick from Stavros

and Birchack counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Stavros is looking to improve his position.
Birchack is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Birchack landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stavros is looking for a sweep. Birchack is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Birchack working Stavros over with strikes.
Birchack lands with a punch from half guard.
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!
Stavros works his way to full guard. Good work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Birchack keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stavros's head.
Stavros trying to strike off his back.
Birchack content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Birchack keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stavros's head.

Stavros is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Birchack avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Oh Stavros is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Birchack lands a couple of elbows.
Stavros throwing short punches from the bottom.

Stavros looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Birchack postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Birchack postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Stavros covers up, he's hurt! Birchack keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Birchack and the ref steps in to end the fight! Birchack can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Anthony Birchack!