PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Newton Fandango (ranked 5632 p4p, 503 weight class) and Hristo Stoichkov (ranked 5504 p4p, 496 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fandango
vs
Stoichkov

172 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Newton Fandango!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hristo Stoichkov!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fandango takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Fandango moves forwards but Stoichkov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fandango is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Fandango closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Stoichkov's guard.
Stoichkov can't keep his opponent in guard - Fandango advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fandango looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stoichkov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Stoichkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fandango perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stoichkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fandango pulls his head out easily.

Stoichkov has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Fandango escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Fandango!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fandango is putting a hurting on Stoichkov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Stoichkov tries to buck Fandango off but Fandango is having none of it.
A lull in the action here as Fandango stalls from top position.
Fandango seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Stoichkov for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Fandango thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Fandango tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Stoichkov is trying to control Fandango's posture but Fandango avoids it.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fandango is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Stoichkov's shoulder. That is not cool.
Stoichkov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Stoichkov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fandango wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Stoichkov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fandango controlling from side mount.
Stoichkov is trying to control Fandango's posture but Fandango avoids it.
Fandango scoring with punches from side control.
Fandango remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoichkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fandango gets to mount! Stoichkov was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Fandango looking to control and managing it successfully.
Fandango is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Stoichkov is in real trouble.
Fandango lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Fandango.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stoichkov can't escape the position.
Fandango is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Newton Fandango dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fandango drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fandango controlling the position.
Stoichkov struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fandango controls the position.
Fandango continues to stall.
Stoichkov manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoichkov wants to get back to full guard.

Stoichkov looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Fandango pushes past his half guard into mount!
Stoichkov is desperately trying to improve his position but Fandango has a good base and remains in mount.
Fandango tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stoichkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fandango controlling the pace for now.
Stoichkov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Fandango tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stoichkov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fandango scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Stoichkov?
Fandango controlling the position easily from mount.
Fandango working the ground and pound effectively.
Stoichkov is trying desperately to improve position.
Fandango content just to control the position here.
Fandango postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Stoichkov looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fandango has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stoichkov's face.
Fandango is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Stoichkov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Fandango not doing much here.

Stoichkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoichkov manages to get to full guard.
Fandango landing some decent shots from guard.
Fandango is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fandango content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Newton Fandango dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Stoichkov connects with a right hand. Fandango shakes it off.

Fandango scores with a takedown into Stoichkov's guard.
Fandango seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Stoichkov looking for subs off his back but Fandango has passed one foot through into half guard.

Stoichkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoichkov is trying to maintain the position but Fandango is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fandango not doing much here.
Stoichkov is looking for a sweep. Fandango is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fandango passes to full mount!
Fandango looking to control and managing it successfully.
Fandango scoring with strikes but Stoichkov is staying in there.
Newton Fandango overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stoichkov is trying to escape the mount but Fandango keeps good control and instead manages to take Stoichkov's back.
Fandango keeps control of the position easily here as Stoichkov tries to buck him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stoichkov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Fandango's arms.
Fandango punishes Stoichkov with strikes from the back mount.
Fandango is working the ground and pound. Can Stoichkov escape?
Stoichkov trying to control the position but Fandango manages to sink in the hooks.
Hristo Stoichkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fandango controls the action.
Stoichkov tries to escape but Fandango has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Fandango just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Stoichkov trying to control the action but Fandango just sinks the hooks in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoichkov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Stoichkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stoichkov wants to control his opponent's hands but Fandango gets his hands free.

Stoichkov fending off the submission attempt from Fandango.
Stoichkov takes a big shot to the side of the head.
You can see the frustration on Stoichkov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Fandango is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stoichkov can do to turn this around?
Fandango is riding his opponent, not letting Stoichkov buck him off.
More hug and hope from Fandango.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stoichkov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Fandango gets his way!
Stoichkov is trying to break free.
Stoichkov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Fandango doesn't have the hooks in and Stoichkov manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fandango is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stoichkov is controlling him.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Newton Fandango showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fandango, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Newton Fandango!