PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Butabi (ranked 916 p4p, 127 weight class) and Maverick Stoner (ranked 1415 p4p, 187 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Butabi might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Make That Money. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Butabi
vs
Stoner

180 cm
19
180 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

150 cm
26
170 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

ZZ POPS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Steve Butabi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Maverick Stoner!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, David Hoff and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Butabi scores with a jab. Stoner acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stoner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Butabi tries to avoid it but Stoner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Butabi to the ground. Butabi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stoner throws a leg kick that is checked

and Butabi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stoner won't be happy with that.
We've been hearing good reports from Butabi's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Butabi is trying to get an arm triangle but Stoner is defending well.
Stoner defending against the ground and pound.
Stoner is looking to reverse the position.

Butabi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Stoner dodges the ground and pound from Butabi.
Stoner looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Stoner is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Stoner takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Stoner wants to control but Butabi postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoner is looking to reverse the position.
Stoner is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Butabi swings around for an armbar but Stoner sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Butabi's guard.

Stoner avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Butabi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stoner trying to control but Butabi is working from the bottom.

Butabi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stoner defends it easily.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stoner wants to control from the top but Butabi keeps moving.
Stoner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stoner trying to control the position from guard on top but Butabi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stoner drops back looking for a leg! Butabi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Butabi manages to kick Stoner off! Stoner jumps back into Butabi's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stoner sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Butabi's guard.
Butabi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stoner.
Stoner uses his free foot to push down on Butabi's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Butabi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stoner moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Butabi has worked his arm free - good work by Butabi!

Stoner tries for a kimura but Butabi is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Butabi tries to buck Stoner off but Stoner is having none of it.

Stoner tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stoner has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Stoner looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Butabi tries to buck Stoner off but Stoner is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
You can see the frustration on Butabi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Butabi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Stoner.
Butabi tries to improve position but can't.

Stoner looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Stoner tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stoner has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Stoner goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Butabi has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Stoner but great work by Butabi.
Stoner managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Butabi.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stoner struggling a bit here.

Butabi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stoner has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Butabi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Horrible takedown attempt by Stoner or perhaps it was just good defense by Butabi, which made it look bad.
Butabi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stoner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stoner looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Butabi looks to throw the jab but Stoner is out of range.
Stoner let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Butabi looking to score a takedown here. Stoner is defending well but Butabi drives through and ends up in Stoner's guard.

Stoner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Butabi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Butabi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Butabi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Stoner looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Stoner looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Stoner!

Butabi is trying to control Stoner's posture but Stoner avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stoner tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stoner has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Stoner is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Butabi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stoner working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Stoner is looking to take a break and control but Butabi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Butabi wants to control but Stoner postures up.
Butabi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stoner trying to control the position but Butabi is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
You can see the frustration on Butabi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Butabi parries the strikes from Stoner easily there. Stoner is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Butabi to escape.

Stoner is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Butabi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Butabi wants to control but Stoner postures up.
Stoner tries to score with some ground and pound. Butabi controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Stoner throws a strike aimed at the side of Butabi's head but Butabi avoids it well.

Stoner is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Butabi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Butabi tries to bench press Stoner off him but Stoner keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoner working away.

Stoner tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stoner has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Butabi can't do much from the bottom here.
Butabi sneaks back into half guard.

Stoner wants to work for an arm triangle but Butabi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Butabi wants to control but Stoner is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Butabi tries to roll over but Stoner keeps him under control.
Stoner slips a nice elbow through Butabi's hands, connecting with Butabi's forehead.
Stoner not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Stoner is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Stoner is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stoner prevents Butabi from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stoner is trying to control the action in half guard but Butabi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Stoner prevents Butabi from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maverick Stoner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stoner thows a leg kick but Butabi checks it
and Butabi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Butabi shoots in and bounces Stoner off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Butabi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Butabi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stoner keeping moving, preventing Butabi from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butabi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stoner is keeping the position for now.
Stoner pulls Butabi in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butabi trying to control but Stoner is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Butabi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Butabi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stoner changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Butabi moves out of range of the leg kick from Stoner.
Butabi scores with a hook to the body. Stoner takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A big right from Butabi misses.
Butabi misses with a low kick.
Nice takedown defense from Butabi. No joy for Stoner on that attempt.
Stoner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
An attempted straight right counter from Butabi misses the target.
Butabi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoner shoots in but no luck this time.

Stoner gets caught flat footed, as Butabi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Butabi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stoner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Butabi tries to free his leg and advance position but Stoner is retaining full guard.

Butabi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stoner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Butabi has managed to get both his arms back between Stoner's legs - danger averted.
Steve Butabi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Butabi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Butabi.
Butabi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stoner is proving hard to escape from.

Stoner has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Butabi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Butabi wants to control from the top but Stoner keeps moving.
Butabi throws a big elbow that misses.
Butabi trying to control the position from guard on top but Stoner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Butabi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stoner can do to turn this around?

Butabi drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stoner dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoner throws a big elbow that misses.

Stoner avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Stoner postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Butabi is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Stoner, into his guard.

Stoner is looking for a triangle but Butabi pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butabi throws an elbow that misses. Stoner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Butabi's guard. Nice move by Stoner!

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stoner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Butabi clearly takes that round.
That's time! Butabi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stoner decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Butabi has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Stoner escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Stoner!
Butabi is trying to control Stoner's posture but Stoner avoids it.

Stoner is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Butabi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Stoner working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stoner looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Butabi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Stoner is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butabi trying to control from the bottom.
Butabi moves into full guard.
Stoner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Butabi controls Stoner momentarily but Stoner frees himself.

Butabi looking for a guillotine here but Stoner defends easily.

Butabi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Butabi keeping moving, preventing Stoner from controlling successfully.

Butabi working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Stoner has passed into half guard!
Stoner wants to control but Butabi is keeping him busy.

Stoner is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Butabi tries to roll over but Stoner keeps him under control.
Butabi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Butabi tries to get out of the position.
Stoner looks to land a strike but Butabi avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butabi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Butabi keeping full guard, as Stoner tries to pass.
Butabi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stoner preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Stoner actively working from the bottom here.
Stoner trying to hold on to Butabi's head to control him but Butabi postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoner is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Butabi stalling away here and it's allowed Stoner to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Stoner looking for a guillotine here but Butabi defends easily.
Butabi trying to control the position from guard on top but Stoner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Butabi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Butabi throws a big elbow that misses.

Stoner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Butabi is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maverick Stoner dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Butabi thows a left - swing and a miss!

Butabi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stoner to the ground. Butabi is now in Stoner's guard.
Butabi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Butabi trying to control but Stoner is working from the bottom.

Stoner working for a triangle but Butabi defends it easily.
Butabi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoner keeping moving, preventing Butabi from controlling successfully.
Butabi looking to pass the guard.
Butabi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Butabi trying to control the position from guard on top but Stoner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butabi pushing down on Stoner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Stoner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Butabi.
Butabi lands with a punch from half guard.
Butabi moves nicely into side control.
Butabi landing strikes.
Stoner dodges the ground and pound from Butabi.
Butabi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stoner keeps working.
Stoner regains half guard.
Butabi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Butabi.
Butabi trying to control from half guard but Stoner is working away.
Stoner moves into full guard.
Butabi pushing down on Stoner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Stoner preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Butabi is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Butabi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Butabi wants to pass to mount but Stoner is defending the position.
Stoner tries to roll over but Butabi keeps him under control.
Butabi controlling the action here.
Butabi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stoner moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four 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.
Butabi cracks Stoner with a solid left hand.
Butabi postures up in Stoner's guard and throws a big left but Stoner blocks it.
Stoner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stoner wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Butabi trying to control the position from guard on top but Stoner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stoner doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Butabi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Butabi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stoner is looking to chop away at Butabi's legs.
Butabi slips a straight right by Stoner.
Stoner misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Butabi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Butabi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 48:47
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 48:47
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Butabi!
Steve Butabi retains his welterweight title!
Steve Butabi took some time post fight to say the following; 'Emilioooooooooo'.