PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hector Stefan (ranked 1244 p4p, 176 weight class) and Cleon Wright (ranked 1402 p4p, 193 weight class). Stefan comes to the cage accompanied by Onward to Victory. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Stefan
vs
Wright

190 cm
29
216 lbs
12 - 5 - 2

195 cm
27
209 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 2, fighting out of New York, Hector Stefan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cleon Wright!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Jorge Garcia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stefan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Wright counters with an inside leg kick.
Wright fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stefan manages to avoid it.
Wright has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Stefan is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Wright misses with a few strikes there.
Wright cracks a nice hook into Stefan's ribs.

Stefan takes the fight into the clinch.
Wright working hard to break the clinch.
Wright blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stefan prevents Wright from breaking the clinch.
Stefan blocking some punches.
Wright wants to break free but Stefan has control.
Wright is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wright manages to break the clinch.
Stefan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wright paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Stefan moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wright effectively controlling the action here.
A frustrated look appears on Wright's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Wright just leaning against Stefan, taking a breather.
Wright is looking to break free of the clinch but Stefan has double underhooks.
Stefan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wright misses with a body punch.
Stefan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stefan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wright lands a hook that snaps the head of Stefan backwards.
Wright tries to work over Stefan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wright tries to break the clinch but Stefan is controlling the position.
Stefan prevents a body shot from Wright.
Stefan lands with a right to the head.
Stefan holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Wright tries to break free but Stefan pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stefan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Wright in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stefan.
Wright scores with a nice hook to the head.

Wright pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stefan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stefan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stefan scores with a shot to the side of Wright's head.

It looks like Cleon Wright has been cut.
Stefan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stefan.
Wright will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stefan up against the cage.
A short right from Stefan on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Wright throws an elbow but misses.
Stefan taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stefan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Wright misses with a punch to the body.
Wright is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stefan tries a knee to the head but Wright blocks it.
Stefan pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Stefan lands with a right to the head.
Wright is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stefan blocking some punches.
Stefan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wright tries to circle away but Stefan has him pinned against the cage.
Wright lands a nice uppercut.

Wright breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wright stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wright misses with a hook

and Stefan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wright is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Stefan is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Stefan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Wright escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wright tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stefan was well out of range. Poor timing from Wright.
Stefan moves away from the strike by Wright.
Stefan sizes up Wright with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Stefan pushes Wright up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wright.
Wright fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stefan lands a shoulder strike.
Wright throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stefan blocks it with crossed arms.
Stefan digs a right hand into Wright's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Wright's gas tank.
Stefan is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Wright with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
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 Hector Stefan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cleon Wright's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stefan tries to close the distance and clinch but Wright swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Stefan closes the distance and clinches.
A short uppercut from Stefan.
Stefan content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Wright breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stefan has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Stefan moves out of range of the body kick.
Wright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stefan throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wright misses with a looping left.
Stefan is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Wright.
Stefan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stefan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wright.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright 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.
Stefan avoids the head kick by Wright.
Stefan tries to clinch up.
Stefan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hector Stefan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stefan moves into the clinch.
Wright is trying to force a seperation but Stefan has the dominant position.

Wright escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefan slips under a jab.
Stefan wants to clinch up but Wright keeps it at a distance.
Wright unleashes a big counter combination but Stefan bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Stefan blocks a jab.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Stefan misses with an uppercut. Wright saw that one coming.
Stefan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Wright's sensitive parts.
Wright misses with a hook.
Donk. Wright catches Stefan right on the button with a cross.
A cross from Stefan lands.
Stefan is looking to clinch but Wright is avoiding it.
Stefan tries to clinch but Wright is having none of it.
That kick from Wright tenderised Stefan's leg. Stefan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stefan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wright.
Stefan seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Cleon Wright seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stefan tries to clinch up.
Wright throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stefan tries to clinch but Wright moves away
and Wright connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stefan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
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!
Wright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stefan doesn't manage to clinch there - Wright circles away.
Wright misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wright moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stefan throws a lazy head kick
and Wright counters with a nice uppercut.
Stefan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wright throws the left hand but Stefan avoids the punch easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wright. Stefan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stefan appears to be looking for a big counter.
Stefan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stefan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Wright circles away from the clinch attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stefan.
Wright throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stefan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefan wants to clinch up but Wright keeps it at a distance.
Wright will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Stefan tries to close the distance and clinch but Wright swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wright scores with a hook to the body. Stefan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wright takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wright throws a jab when Stefan was well out of range.
Wright looks to throw a body kick
and Stefan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Wright throws a hook but Stefan avoids it easily.

Stefan forces Wright back against the cage and clinches.

Wright breaks the clinch.
Stefan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wright misses with a looping left.
Some wild striking there from Wright.
Stefan tries to clinch up but Wright circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stefan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wright throws a body punch but Stefan moves out of range.
Stefan moves in looking to clinch but Wright pushes him off.
Wright misses with an uppercut. Stefan saw that one coming.
Stefan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Wright checks it well.
Some wild striking there from Wright.
Stefan wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stefan tries to clinch but Wright moves out of range.
Stefan tries to clinch but Wright is having none of it.
Wright lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Wright.
Wright throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stefan tries to clinch but Wright is having none of it.
Stefan is looking to clinch but Wright is avoiding it.
Wright drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Stefan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wright.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cleon Wright showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cleon Wright's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Stefan scores with a punch to the head.
Stefan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wright throws out the jab.
An inside leg kick from Wright misses.
Stefan misses with the combination.
Wright looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
As Wright tries to get set, Stefan tries to push him back and clinch up but Wright manages to avoid the attempt.
Stefan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stefan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stefan backing away here, and Wright unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Stefan wants to clinch up but Wright keeps it at a distance.
Wright circles away from the clinch attempt
and Wright counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright misses with a double jab.
Stefan fails with an attempt to clinch.
A nice side step and Wright releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Wright throws a push kick but Stefan slaps the foot to one side.
Wright throws a jab but it's blocked by Stefan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright throws a looping overhand right but Stefan ducks down to avoid it.
Wright misses with a few strikes there.
Nice body punch from Wright.

Stefan moves into the clinch successfully.
Hector Stefan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Stefan stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wright just misses with a elbow thrown towards Stefan's brow.
Wright has had enough of the clinch but Stefan keeps him there for the moment.
Stefan lands an elbow inside that Wright shrugs off.

That has opened up Cleon Wright's cut even more.
Wright can't break the clinch.
Wright wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Stefan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stefan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wright was well out of range. Poor timing from Stefan.
Wright misses with a body shot.
Stefan is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Wright.
Stefan tries to clinch but Wright moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Stefan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wright misses with a body kick.
No joy there for Stefan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stefan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stefan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
That kick from Stefan tenderised Wright's leg. Wright is trying to keep his angry face on.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wright takes a swing at Stefan's ribcage but misses.
Wright throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stefan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stefan tries to clinch up but Wright circles away and keeps his distance.
A thudding body kick lands there by Wright!
Wright tries to score with a low kick but Stefan moves his leg out of the way.
Stefan tries to clinch up but Wright circles away and keeps his distance.
Wright throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Stefan counters with a leg kick.
Wright circles away from the clinch attempt
and Wright counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefan tries to clinch but Wright moves out of range.
Stefan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wright on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stefan doesn't manage to clinch there - Wright circles away.
Wright fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stefan manages to avoid it.
Stefan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Wright is out of range and Stefan settles back down.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Stefan, as that shot connected.

Stefan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wright can't break the clinch.
Wright looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stefan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A bit of stalling here from Stefan.
Wright tries a body shot but Stefan blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright wants to break free but Stefan has control.

Wright breaks the clinch.
Stefan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wright. That did some damage!
Wright misses with a wild body shot.
Wright throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Stefan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stefan.
Stefan throws an elbow but it misses.
Wright working hard to break the clinch.
Wright is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stefan blocks an uppercut.

Wright escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stefan moves in looking to clinch but Wright pushes him off.
Wright misses with a hook. Stefan ducked under it nicely.
Wright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A slow jab from Wright misses its intended target.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hector Stefan.
I think Stefan 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Stefan!
Hector Stefan took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.