PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Staal (ranked 1228 p4p, 160 weight class) and Albert Hoffman (ranked 167 p4p, 28 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Staal
vs
Hoffman

180 cm
28
192 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

167 cm
33
182 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Eric Staal!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Albert Hoffman !
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoffman moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Staal.
Staal throws a head kick that misses.
Hoffman fails with a takedown attempt.
Staal misses with a leg kick

and Hoffman counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hoffman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hoffman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Staal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Staal has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Staal lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hoffman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Staal defends it easily.
Staal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hoffman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Staal with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Staal throwing strikes from guard but Hoffman blocks nicely.

Hoffman looking for subs off his back but Staal has passed one foot through into half guard.
Staal keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Staal is pressing down on Hoffman 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hoffman is holding on for now.
Hoffman is trying to get back to full guard.

Hoffman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoffman wants to control but Staal is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Staal trying to control the action but Hoffman is working from the bottom.
Hoffman taking some punishment here, with Staal in his half guard.
Hoffman has hold of Staal's hands but Staal slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Staal is looking to advance position but Hoffman won't allow it.
Hoffman wants to improve his position but Staal is controlling well.
Hoffman throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Staal controlling the action here.
Staal trying to control the action but Hoffman is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal is thwarting Hoffman 's attempts to control the position.
Staal is looking to take a break and control but Hoffman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Hoffman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Staal is keen to just control but Hoffman is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Staal 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.

Hoffman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hoffman is trying to get back to full guard.

Hoffman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Staal working the head and body with strikes.
Hoffman is looking for a sweep. Staal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Staal seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Hoffman is looking for a sweep. Staal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hoffman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staal pulls his head out easily.

Hoffman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hoffman looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoffman tries to get to full guard but Staal has control of the leg.
Staal is nestled in close to Hoffman , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Staal dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hoffman tries to clinch but Staal is having none of it.
Hoffman slips under a jab from Staal.
And Hoffman tries to counter it with a takedown but Staal pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Staal tries to land a front kick but Hoffman steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hoffman wants to counter the offense by Staal and move into the clinch position.
Hoffman moves out of range as Staal strikes.
Staal fails with a takedown attempt.
Hoffman tries to counter with a clinch but Staal shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hoffman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal pulls Hoffman in close to prevent any damage.
Hoffman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Staal looking for a sweep. Not yet Staal, not yet.
Hoffman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Staal bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hoffman 's guard.

Hoffman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Staal defends it easily.

Hoffman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Staal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hoffman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Eric Staal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hoffman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Staal defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staal wants to control from the top but Hoffman keeps moving.
Staal is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hoffman is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Staal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Staal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Hoffman is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Staal is aware though and is defending well.

Staal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Hoffman working for a triangle but Staal defends it easily.
Hoffman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Staal manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Staal holds on and takes a little breather.
Staal bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hoffman 's guard.

Hoffman looking for a guillotine here but Staal defends easily.
Hoffman keeping moving, preventing Staal from controlling successfully.
Staal scoring with punches to the head and body.
Staal sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Staal got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hoffman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Staal has managed to get both his arms back between Hoffman 's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoffman thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Staal keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hoffman 's head.
Staal is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Staal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Hoffman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Staal defends it easily.
Staal working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Staal is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Hoffman looking for subs off his back but Staal has passed one foot through into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Albert Hoffman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hoffman throws a sloppy head kick
and Staal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Staal swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoffman .
Hoffman slips under a jab from Staal.

Hoffman moves into the clinch.

Staal breaks from the clinch.
Staal swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoffman .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoffman with a lazy takedown attempt
and Staal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hoffman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Staal as Hoffman shoots in.
Hoffman blocks a jab.
Hoffman is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hoffman avoids a kick to the body.
Hoffman moves out of range of the body kick.
Hoffman counters with a body kick.
Hoffman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Staal misses with a head kick.
Staal lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hoffman tries to clinch there but Staal circles away.
Staal throws the kick towards the body but Hoffman avoids it.
Hoffman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoffman avoids the head kick by Staal.
Nice defenses there by Hoffman .
Staal swings widly with a right hand

and Hoffman counters with a single leg into guard. Staal didn't expect that.
Staal can't keep his opponent in guard - Hoffman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Hoffman is trying to work for a kimura but Staal is defending well.
Staal wants to control but Hoffman is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hoffman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Staal tries to roll over but Hoffman keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hoffman preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Staal is on top in guard.

Hoffman has momentary wrist control but Staal slips an elbow through the middle.

Hoffman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Staal can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Staal's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Hoffman is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Staal is aware though and is defending well.
Hoffman keeping moving, preventing Staal from controlling successfully.
Hoffman can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Staal controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staal stopping the sweep attempt from Hoffman .

Hoffman looking for subs off his back but Staal has passed one foot through into half guard.
Hoffman is trying to get back to full guard.
Staal lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Staal perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Staal looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hoffman with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Staal wants to control but Hoffman is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Staal clearly takes that round.
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.

Staal gets tackled into the cage by Hoffman . Hoffman maintains the clinch.

Staal has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Hoffman is trying to keep an underhook but Staal manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Hoffman gets back to full guard.

Hoffman working for submissions but it's allowed Staal to get to half guard.
Staal looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Hoffman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hoffman wants to control but Staal is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Staal looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hoffman with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Hoffman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoffman is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Staal scores with a couple of nice shots.
Staal is keen to just control but Hoffman is a slippery customer.
Hoffman misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Staal content to control rather than advance.
Staal is nestled in close to Hoffman , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Staal is trying to control the action in half guard but Hoffman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Staal is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
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. Staal connects with a nice short shot to Hoffman 's temple.

Hoffman is rocked!
Staal lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hoffman is still in real trouble! Can Staal finish him?
Staal is controlling the pace.
Hoffman tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Staal seems content to control.
Hoffman seems to have recovered his senses.
Hoffman wants to improve his position but Staal is controlling well.
Hoffman taking some punishment here, with Staal in his half guard.
Staal is pressing down on Hoffman 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hoffman is holding on for now.
Staal is keen to just control but Hoffman is a slippery customer.

Hoffman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staal pulls his head out easily.
Staal wants to pass to mount but Hoffman is defending the position.
Hoffman trying to get back to full guard but Staal takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal controlling his opponent.
Staal landing shots from mount.
Hoffman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Staal tries to control but Hoffman wriggling away.
Staal looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Staal punishing his opponent with strikes.
Staal scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hoffman ?
Hoffman is looking to improve his position but Staal isn't that keen on the idea.
Hoffman bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staal has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hoffman is in close to Staal's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Staal trying to keep a closed guard but Hoffman is proving a slippery customer.
Hoffman throws a big right hand that misses.
Hoffman looking to pass the guard.
Hoffman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoffman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Staal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Staal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hoffman is looking to work some ground and pound but Staal has wrist control.
Staal is trying to keep Hoffman in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Staal had his way with Albert Hoffman in that round.
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. And we move into the final round!

Staal lands a jab to Hoffman 's midsection.
Staal throws a nasty head kick that just misses. He throws another kick to the head of his opponent and almost takes it off! Hoffman crumples to the floor and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:20 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Eric Staal!
Eric Staal is the new middleweight champion!