PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leo Stokes (ranked 23501 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ollie OCallaghan (ranked 5057 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Leo Stokes has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Stokes
vs
OCallaghan

199 cm
19
193 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

200 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leo Stokes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ollie OCallaghan!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stokes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
OCallaghan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Stokes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and OCallaghan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by OCallaghan.
Stokes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. OCallaghan just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leo Stokes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stokes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables OCallaghan to keep the fight standing.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by OCallaghan as Stokes tries to tie him up.

OCallaghan has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Stokes is trying to keep an underhook but OCallaghan manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Stokes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from OCallaghan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OCallaghan is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Stokes throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and OCallaghan manages to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stokes is trying to get back to his feet.
OCallaghan controlling from side mount.

OCallaghan decides to stand back up.

OCallaghan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - OCallaghan lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stokes has a closed guard, preventing OCallaghan from standing up.
OCallaghan postures up and lands a big shot to Stokes's brow.
OCallaghan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OCallaghan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
OCallaghan stopping the sweep attempt from Stokes.
Stokes keeping full guard, as OCallaghan tries to pass.

OCallaghan stands up from guard. Let's bang!

OCallaghan shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stokes is trying to defend but OCallaghan finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Stokes wants to stand back up but OCallaghan manages to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stokes is working to avoid the ground and pound but OCallaghan connects with a decent elbow.
OCallaghan in side control, just content to control the action for now.
OCallaghan cracks Stokes with an elbow. That is naaassty.
OCallaghan takes a little break here. Stokes wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Stokes wants to control but OCallaghan postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OCallaghan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

OCallaghan tries for a kimura but Stokes is defending well.
OCallaghan is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Let's hope that OCallaghan has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ollie OCallaghan dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
OCallaghan leaning against his opponent.

OCallaghan gets control of Stokes's arms and successfully pulls guard. OCallaghan will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Stokes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

OCallaghan throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stokes escapes and throws OCallaghan's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Stokes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OCallaghan is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OCallaghan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
OCallaghan manages to get back to half guard.

Stokes wants to work for an arm triangle but OCallaghan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
OCallaghan regains full guard. Nicely done.

OCallaghan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stokes defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OCallaghan wants to stand but Stokes is controlling the position.
OCallaghan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stokes manages to get himself to full guard.

Stokes wants to sweep here but OCallaghan controlling him for the moment.
Ollie OCallaghan has got the better of the ground game so far.
OCallaghan controlling from the top position.
OCallaghan trying to control the position from guard on top but Stokes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OCallaghan tries to free his leg and advance position but Stokes is retaining full guard.
OCallaghan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stokes's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
OCallaghan trying to control but Stokes is working from the bottom.
OCallaghan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
OCallaghan passes easily into side control. Nice work.

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.
OCallaghan throws a strike aimed at the side of Stokes's head but Stokes avoids it well.
OCallaghan is staying tight to Stokes's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Stokes is trying to control OCallaghan's posture but OCallaghan avoids it.

OCallaghan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stokes has escaped the position, nice work there.
OCallaghan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stokes keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stokes isn't going anywhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ollie OCallaghan 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! This is the final round!

OCallaghan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Stokes on his heels. He'll look to pass Stokes's guard now, I'm sure.

OCallaghan stands and steps away. Stokes gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

OCallaghan shoots in and bounces Stokes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stokes has his hands on OCallaghan's head, controlling the position.
OCallaghan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OCallaghan advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
OCallaghan is staying tight to Stokes's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Stokes is trying to control OCallaghan's posture but OCallaghan avoids it.
Stokes tries to buck OCallaghan off but OCallaghan is having none of it.
OCallaghan moves into full mount!
Stokes is looking to improve his position but OCallaghan isn't that keen on the idea.

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.
OCallaghan fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
OCallaghan scores with a couple of good head shots there.
OCallaghan controlling from mount.
OCallaghan has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stokes's face.

Stokes is rocked!
OCallaghan lands a big elbow - Stokes is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Stokes is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Ollie OCallaghan!