PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Willian Raymond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harley Stainer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Raymond
vs
Stainer

183 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Willian Raymond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Harley Stainer !
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paul Aken and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raymond misses with a series of wild punches.
Harley Stainer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stainer scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Stainer trying to control the action but Raymond is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Raymond's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stainer is looking to take a break and control but Raymond is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raymond is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Stainer wants to control but Raymond is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raymond is looking to reverse the position.
Raymond struggling a bit here.
Raymond sneaks back into half guard.
Stainer with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Raymond is looking to improve his position.
Raymond is trying to stand up here but Stainer is controlling him well.
Raymond is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Raymond is pressing down on Stainer 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two 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.
Stainer won't allow Raymond to sweep him here.
Stainer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Raymond looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stainer is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Stainer feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stainer trying to control the position from guard on top but Raymond is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stainer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raymond bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stainer 's guard.

Stainer trying to control the position.
Raymond lands a couple of elbows.
Raymond has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stainer is proving hard to escape from.
Stainer 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Raymond cracks Stainer with a solid left hand.
Raymond connects with a couple of short punches.
Stainer trying to keep a closed guard but Raymond is proving a slippery customer.

Raymond gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Raymond fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Stainer decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half 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 Willian Raymond will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Raymond closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Raymond lands in his opponent's guard.

Stainer is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Raymond is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stainer pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Raymond manages to break the clinch.
Stainer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stainer shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Stainer showed some decent athleticism there.

Raymond manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Stainer keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stainer works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Raymond wants to stand and escape but Stainer is having none of it.
Stainer wants to stand and escape but instead Raymond has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Raymond would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raymond connects with a couple of short punches.
Stainer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Raymond stands and steps away. Stainer gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Raymond drives through and clinches with Stainer against the cage.
Raymond really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raymond is trying to push Stainer away but Stainer has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Stainer pulls Raymond into guard.
Stainer is trying to control the position but Raymond postures up.
Raymond working some strikes from top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raymond distracts Stainer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Stainer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Raymond can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stainer is breathing heavily.
Raymond lands a couple of digs.
Raymond keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stainer 's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stainer is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Raymond lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Raymond chips away with some ground and pound.

Raymond stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Raymond tries to sprawl but Stainer drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Raymond gets back to full guard.
Raymond wants to stand up but Stainer is controlling him.
Raymond bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stainer 's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raymond stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Stainer drives through with a takedown into guard.
Raymond wants to get back to his feet but Stainer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Raymond lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Raymond stands up from Stainer 's guard - Raymond perhaps looking for a knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stainer shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Raymond is trying to defend but Stainer finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Willian Raymond dominated that second 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. And we move into the final round!

Raymond throws a sloppy head kick and Stainer moves out of range easily.
Stainer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raymond slips under a jab from Stainer .

Stainer scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Raymond is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Raymond regains half guard there - taking advantage of Stainer 's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stainer prevents Raymond from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raymond manages to get to full guard.
Stainer preventing the sweep.
Raymond seems keen to control Stainer 's posture.
Raymond is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stainer is controlling him.
Raymond not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Raymond pulls Stainer in to control the position.

That's two 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.
Raymond wants to sweep here but Stainer controlling him for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stainer tries a head kick but it misses.

Raymond shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stainer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stainer throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Raymond distracts Stainer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Raymond decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Raymond darts in looking for a takedown but Stainer gets double underhooks and turns Raymond into the cage.

Raymond closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stainer did well to prevent Raymond getting side control.

Stainer manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stainer closes the distance and clinches.
Stainer landing knees to the head.
Raymond wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Raymond throws a punch but it's blocked by Stainer .
Raymond is trying to drag Stainer to the mat but Stainer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Stainer drags the fight down to the ground.
Raymond wanted to stand there but Stainer had control of the position.
Stainer tries to strike from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stainer working a defensive guard here.
Raymond content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stainer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Raymond trying to stand up but can't free himself from Stainer 's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Raymond throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stainer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Harley Stainer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Willian Raymond is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stainer thows a leg kick but Raymond checks it
and Raymond counters with a series of strikes. Stainer will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Harley Stainer .
I think Raymond has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Willian Raymond!