PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jim Sterntz (ranked 1652 p4p, 209 weight class) and Max Onera (ranked 2727 p4p, 323 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sterntz
vs
Onera

190 cm
21
190 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

196 cm
29
191 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jim Sterntz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Onera!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sterntz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Sterntz has his foot on Onera's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Onera works his way back into a safe position though.
My spies in Touch Of Death Combat Academy inform me that Onera has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Onera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sterntz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sterntz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sterntz wants to sweep here but Onera controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sterntz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Onera pushing down on Sterntz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

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

Sterntz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sterntz's coaches at Stark Combat Center have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sterntz is looking for a sweep. Onera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Onera wants to work for an arm triangle but Sterntz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Sterntz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Onera seems to be looking for submissions.

Onera looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Sterntz is trying to stand.
Sterntz tries to get to full guard but Onera has control of the leg.

Sterntz looking for submissions off his back.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Onera is looking for a kimura here.

Onera is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sterntz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Onera is working for a submission of some sort.

Onera is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sterntz is just riding it out for now. Onera eventually gives up the hold.
Onera trying to pass the guard but Sterntz defending well.
Onera trying to control the action but Sterntz is working from the bottom.
Sterntz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Onera trying to control the action but Sterntz is working from the bottom.
Sterntz wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sterntz actively working from the bottom here.
Sterntz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Onera trying to control the position from guard on top but Sterntz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Onera got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sterntz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Onera has managed to get both his arms back between Sterntz's legs - danger averted.
Onera is stalling in the full guard.
Sterntz keeping full guard, as Onera tries to pass.
Onera trying to control the position from guard on top but Sterntz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sterntz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

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

Onera avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sterntz 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.
Onera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sterntz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sterntz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Onera can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Onera trying to control the position from guard on top but Sterntz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Onera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sterntz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sterntz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Onera defends it easily.
Sterntz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Onera misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sterntz is defended easily by Onera.
Onera throws a low kick but Sterntz avoids it.
Onera has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sterntz fails with an attempt to clinch.

Onera shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Onera showed some decent athleticism there.
Onera passes to side control.
Onera moves into full mount!
Onera prevents Sterntz from getting the reversal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Onera is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sterntz keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Onera jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Sterntz manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Sterntz tries to bench press Onera off him but Onera keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Onera tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Onera has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sterntz seems a little lost for a moment, as Onera dominates the positioning.
Sterntz is trying to get back to half guard.
Sterntz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Max Onera has got the better of the ground game so far.
Onera is looking to take a break and control but Sterntz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sterntz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Onera is trying to control. Sterntz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sterntz manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Onera keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Sterntz lands with a right to the head.
Sterntz scores with a hook to the body.
Sterntz manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sterntz gets underhooks to prevent Onera's takedown attempt.
Sterntz throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sterntz controlling the action here for a moment.
Onera wants to take the fight to the mat but Sterntz manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sterntz stalls.
Onera misses with the head strike.
Onera avoids the elbow strike from Sterntz, against the cage.
Sterntz missing with knees to the body.
Sterntz has Onera pushed against the cage.
Sterntz stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onera drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sterntz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jim Sterntz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Onera.
Onera shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sterntz as he jumps to the side.

Sterntz clinches with his opponent.
Sterntz misses with a knee strike.
Sterntz is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sterntz taking a breather.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Sterntz for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Onera throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sterntz blocks it with crossed arms.
Onera has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sterntz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sterntz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Sterntz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sterntz's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sterntz is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sterntz stalling.
Sterntz wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jim Sterntz.

Sterntz tries to keep at a distance but Onera has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sterntz is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sterntz prevents the takedown attempt.
Onera has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sterntz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sterntz lands a shot to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sterntz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Onera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sterntz stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Sterntz dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Onera is looking to chop away at Sterntz's legs.

Sterntz forces Onera back against the cage and clinches.
Onera tries for a takedown. No joy.
A bit of stalling here from Sterntz.
Sterntz managing to block the knees to the body from Onera.
The referee calls for Sterntz to work.
Sterntz stalling in the clinch.
Sterntz prevents the takedown attempt.
Sterntz misses with a body punch.
Come on Sterntz - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Onera trying to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sterntz stalls.
Onera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sterntz is defending well for now.
Onera letting Sterntz take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jim Sterntz.
Onera throws a body punch but Sterntz moves out of range.
Sterntz tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Onera manages to circle out of the way.
Max Onera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Onera throws a lazy right hand but Sterntz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Sterntz clinches with his opponent.
Sterntz is trying to stall.
Sterntz lands a nice shot to the body.
Onera blocks the elbow strike.
Onera takes a shot to the head.
Sterntz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Onera misses with a knee strike.
Sterntz dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Onera is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jim Sterntz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Onera.
Sterntz wants to stall.
Jim Sterntz has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Onera is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sterntz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from Sterntz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sterntz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sterntz is struggling to control the position.
Onera misses with a knee to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Sterntz.
Sterntz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Onera swings wildly with an uppercut but Sterntz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Onera blocking some punches.
Sterntz tries to land knees in the clinch but Onera avoids the damage to the body.
Onera being controlled against the cage.
Sterntz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Onera blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sterntz prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Onera is looking to take this one to the mat.
Onera letting Sterntz take a breather here.
Onera goes for a takedown attempt but Sterntz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Sterntz clinches up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sterntz - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Sterntz lands with a left to the head.
Onera tries for a takedown but Sterntz manages to get underhooks.
Onera drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sterntz gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sterntz controlling the action here for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onera has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sterntz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sterntz misses with a knee to the head.
Sterntz gets underhooks to prevent Onera's takedown attempt.
Onera has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sterntz after a bit of a struggle.
Onera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sterntz will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Onera up against the cage.
Onera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sterntz is defending well for now.
Sterntz avoiding damage.
Sterntz misses with a knee to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sterntz leaning against his opponent.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sterntz.
Onera blocks an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Sterntz showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sterntz 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Sterntz!
Jim Sterntz seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.