PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mini Stipe (ranked 420 p4p, 56 weight class) and Daniel Larusso (ranked 146 p4p, 23 weight class). Larusso has chosen Glory of love as his entrance music. Daniel Larusso has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stipe
vs
Larusso

150 cm
33
139 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

170 cm
39
144 lbs
44 - 25 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mini Stipe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 44 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Daniel Larusso!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stipe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Larusso tests Stipe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Stipe checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Larusso avoids a punch combination nicely.
Larusso replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Stipe blocks it well.
Stipe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Larusso manages to avoid it.
Stipe moves out of range of the body kick.
Larusso bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stipe's head backwards.
Stipe with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Larusso to score with a decent uppercut.
Larusso moves out of range of the leg kick from Stipe.
Larusso punishes Stipe's body with a nice straight punch.
Stipe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Larusso stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Stipe has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Talu's Boxing Club in the buildup to the fight.
Stipe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Larusso.
Stipe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Larusso paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Larusso lands with a slapping head kick.
Larusso has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Larusso slips a straight right by Stipe.
Despite the aggression on Larusso's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Stipe takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Stipe shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Larusso walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stipe checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Stipe attempts a counter takedown but Larusso avoids it well and moves away.
Larusso throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stipe connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stipe looks to land a left hand but Larusso moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stipe has Larusso up against the cage in a clinch.
Stipe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Larusso has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Larusso manages to break the clinch.
Stipe throws a shot from downtown. Larusso moves away and avoids it.
Daniel Larusso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Larusso.
Larusso throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Larusso works Stipe's body with a nice hook.
Larusso is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Larusso lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Stipe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Larusso smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Larusso misses with a leg kick
and Stipe counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stipe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Larusso.
Larusso swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Larusso thows a leg kick but Stipe checks it
and Stipe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick from Larusso misses

and Stipe counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stipe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stipe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Larusso is keeping the position for now.
Larusso 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Stipe throws a big elbow that misses.
Stipe 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.
Larusso wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Larusso utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stipe lands a couple of digs.
Larusso looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stipe is one step ahead there.
Stipe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stipe is looking to work some ground and pound but Larusso has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stipe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Larusso has momentary wrist control but Stipe slips an elbow through the middle.
Larusso is pulling down on Stipe's head to control his posture.
Stipe might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Larusso looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stipe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Larusso wants to sweep here but Stipe controlling him for the moment.
Stipe wants to control from the top but Larusso keeps moving.
Stipe is looking to work some ground and pound but Larusso has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stipe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stipe looking to sit in guard and control but Larusso gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Larusso stands up from Stipe's guard - Larusso perhaps looking for a knockout.
Larusso throws a looping overhand right but Stipe ducks down to avoid it.
Larusso throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Larusso throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Larusso throws a looping overhand right but Stipe ducks down to avoid it.
Stipe on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Larusso. Larusso obviously looking to wear him down.
Stipe with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Larusso misses with a left hand

and Stipe counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Larusso is controlling Stipe's posture.
Stipe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Daniel Larusso will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Larusso drops his hands momentarily and Stipe takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Larusso misses with a straight left.
Stipe has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stipe there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stipe throws a lazy right hand but Larusso sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stipe throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stipe checks a low kick from Larusso.
Larusso doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Stipe.
Stipe throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stipe looks to land a right hand but Larusso moved out of range.
Larusso looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stipe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Larusso.
Stipe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Larusso wants to land a leg kick but Stipe is out of range.
Larusso connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stipe misses with a body kick.
Larusso keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Stipe crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Larusso - the referee stops the clock and Stipe gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Larusso. Stipe manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Larusso lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stipe has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stipe and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Stipe on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stipe has taken the fight to the clinch.

Larusso breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larusso throws a right hand that Stipe ducks under and follows up with a left that Stipe also avoids with ease.
Larusso throws a leg kick but Stipe moved away.
Larusso stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stipe.
A good leg kick by Stipe.
Larusso looks to land a combination but Stipe avoids it well.
Stipe walks into a stiff left hand from Larusso.
Stipe lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stipe thows a left - swing and a miss!
Larusso misses the jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Larusso.
Stipe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stipe shoots in and drives through. Larusso sprawls well.
Larusso only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Larusso throws a big shot that misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Larusso.
Larusso throws a head kick that misses.
Stipe tries a head kick but it misses.
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!
Stipe throws a hook but Larusso blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Larusso misses.
Larusso uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stipe.
Larusso feints a counter leg kick.
Larusso ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stipe moves away.
Larusso throws a jab but it's blocked by Stipe.
Stipe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Stipe misses with a hook. Larusso ducked under it nicely.
Larusso looks to land a left hand but Stipe moved out of range nicely.
Larusso looks to score with a jab to the body but Stipe is just out of range.
Stipe misses with a hook. Larusso ducked under it nicely.
Larusso ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stipe moves away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Stipe lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Larusso has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Larusso and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Larusso misses the body punch
and Stipe counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Larusso pivots, looking for a leg kick but Stipe is out of range and Larusso settles back down.
Larusso fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stipe looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Larusso displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stipe throws out the jab.
Daniel Larusso seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stipe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stipe blocks a head kick by Larusso.
Larusso throws a body shot but no joy.
Stipe jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larusso throws a leg kick
and Stipe counters with a straight right hand.
Larusso ducks under a wild hook from Stipe.
Larusso follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Larusso throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A leg kick checked by Stipe.
Larusso takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stipe misses with a straight right.
Larusso lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Stipe looks to land a right hand but Larusso moved out of range.
Larusso works Stipe's body with a nice hook.
Larusso defending well as Stipe loads up on a big left hand.
Larusso swings widly with a right hand
and Stipe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Larusso throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stipe throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stipe lands with a shot to the body.
Larusso lands with a right hand.
Daniel Larusso is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Larusso checks a leg kick nicely.
Larusso throws a shot from downtown. Stipe moves away and avoids it.
Larusso throws a wild body kick that Stipe sees coming a mile off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larusso misses with a low kick as Stipe jumps back.
Larusso misses with an uppercut.
Larusso dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stipe. That did some damage!
Larusso throws a jab but it's blocked by Stipe.
Nice cross by Larusso.
Larusso throws an off balance right hand

and Stipe decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Larusso's guard.
Larusso utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mini Stipe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stipe stands and throws Larusso's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Larusso wants to control but Stipe postures up.
Stipe trying to control the action but Larusso is working from the bottom.
Larusso tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Stipe wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Daniel Larusso will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Larusso moves forwards but Stipe connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Larusso lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stipe.
Larusso lands a head shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Larusso blocks the leg kick.
Larusso stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Stipe throws a sloppy head kick and Larusso moves out of range easily.
Larusso throws a lazy head kick

and Stipe counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stipe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Larusso is keeping the position for now.
Larusso keeping moving, preventing Stipe from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stipe makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larusso is trying to keep Stipe in close.
Stipe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stipe scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stipe lands a couple of digs.
Stipe trying to control but Larusso is working from the bottom.
Stipe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Larusso working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stipe.
Stipe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mini Stipe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Larusso wants to stand but Stipe is controlling the position.
Stipe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stipe throws a big right hand that misses.
Stipe wants to control from the top but Larusso keeps moving.
Stipe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Larusso takes one on the button.
Stipe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Larusso was well out of range. Poor timing from Stipe.
Larusso misses with a body shot.
Larusso tries to move into range but Stipe moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Larusso missing with a left hand there. Stipe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stipe throwing a counter right hand but Larusso manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stipe cracks Larusso with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Larusso throws out a loose jab but Stipe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stipe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Larusso scores with a nice right hand.
Stipe throws a shot from downtown. Larusso moves away and avoids it.
Larusso misses with a body shot.
Stipe is looking to counter punch.
Stipe misses the shot to the body.
Larusso doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Stipe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Larusso throws out the jab.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Larusso - that will leave a mark!
Larusso throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Larusso throws a sloppy head kick
and Stipe counters with a nice body kick.
Larusso takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Good work by Stipe as he checks the leg kick.
Stipe tries to clinch but Larusso moves out of range.
Larusso slips under a jab from Stipe.
Larusso tries to work over Stipe's front leg with a kick but Stipe checks it.
Larusso lands with a hook. Stipe tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Larusso walks into a stiff left hand from Stipe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larusso throws out a loose jab but Stipe uses good head movement to avoid it.
It looked like Stipe was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Larusso.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stipe wants to clinch up but Larusso keeps it at a distance.
Stipe lunges at Larusso with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Larusso's hand.
Stipe ducks under a wild hook from Larusso.
That kick from Larusso tenderised Stipe's leg. Stipe is trying to keep his angry face on.
Larusso takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Larusso takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Larusso throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stipe stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Larusso uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stipe.

Stipe instigates a clinch.
Larusso misses with a punch to the body.
Stipe scores with a shoulder strike.
Stipe has a couple of punches blocked by Larusso.
Daniel Larusso is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Larusso escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Larusso uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stipe.
Stipe misses with a wild body shot.
Larusso displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stipe throws out the jab.
Larusso lands a leg kick that knocks Stipe off balance momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mini Stipe showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Larusso has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Larusso!
Daniel Larusso very nearly forgot to thank Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200) amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.