PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hussein Stahl (ranked 3652 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robo Pope (ranked 16154 p4p, 258 weight class). Pope has chosen Ghost - Monstrance Clock as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Stahl
vs
Pope

208 cm
32
323 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

225 cm
40
351 lbs
10 - 50 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hussein Stahl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 50 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robo Pope!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stahl pushes Pope up against the cage in a clinch.
Pope looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Stahl tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stahl goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pope prevents it.
Stahl is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pope pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hussein Stahl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pope wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pope prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stahl is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pope pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stahl has Pope pressed against the cage, preventing Pope from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stahl lands a left hand.

It looks like Robo Pope has been cut.
Stahl is looking for a takedown.
Stahl lands an elbow inside that Pope shrugs off.
Stahl goes for a takedown attempt but Pope pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pope throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stahl looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Stahl connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Pope to the floor! Stahl dives in looking for the finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stahl looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Stahl is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pope can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pope really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stahl. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stahl seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pope for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stahl continues to stall.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Stahl landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That has opened up Robo Pope's cut even more.
Stahl content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pope has hold of Stahl's hands but Stahl slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stahl tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pope knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Stahl seems to be working for a kimura but Pope defends the submission attempt.
Ground and pound from Stahl.

Pope is rocked!

Robo Pope's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Stahl works his way into full mount!
Pope is still in real trouble! Can Stahl finish him?

Stahl is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Pope has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Stahl postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Pope badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Stahl around the waist but Stahl pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Stahl is the winner by TKO! Stahl jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hussein Stahl!
After the fight, Hussein Stahl was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
The defeated Robo Pope had this to say: 'I hope to be the first MMA fighter to die in the ring. Help make my dream come true.'.