PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aksel Stenger (ranked 1335 p4p, 176 weight class) and Sea Level Cain (ranked 1253 p4p, 170 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Stenger might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Hit2face - Ain't it nice to get hit to the face?. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stenger
vs
Level Cain

186 cm
31
196 lbs
26 - 17 - 3

184 cm
36
196 lbs
23 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 26 - 17 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Aksel Stenger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sea Level Cain!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cain misses with a wild body shot.
Stenger has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gentlemans Offence and Defense System in the buildup to the fight.
Cain throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stenger throws a leg kick but Cain sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Cain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stenger is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Stenger missing with a left hand there. Cain was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Despite the aggression on Cain's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Cain uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stenger.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cain checks a leg kick.
Cain looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A jab from Stenger does it's job there.
Stenger connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cain momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cain takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cain looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Stenger just misses with a punch to the body.
Stenger lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenger misses with a looping right.
Cain lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Stenger throws a shot to the body.
Stenger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stenger looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Despite the aggression on Cain's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Aksel Stenger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cain takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Stenger moves out of range of the strikes.
Jab, jab by Stenger - just one landing.
Stenger tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stenger fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cain looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stenger tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stenger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cain throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cain throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Stenger to counter with a crisp jab.
Stenger just misses with a punch to the body.
Cain is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cain has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Stenger wants to slow Cain down by chopping away at his legs.
Cain takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stenger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cain walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stenger scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cain in his tracks.
Stenger lands a head kick!
Stenger getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Stenger, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenger lunges at Cain with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cain's hand.
Aksel Stenger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cain thuds his shin into the meat of Stenger's side.
Cain looks to land a body kick but Stenger moved away.
Stenger takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stenger is looking to counter with head kicks.
Stenger lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cain takes a step back to recover.
Stenger bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stenger scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cain in his tracks.
Stenger swings for the body but Cain moves out of range.
Cain with the counter takedown but Stenger avoids it easily.
Cain's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stenger under the eye.
Stenger is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Stenger slips a jab and a cross from Cain.
Stenger throws out a leg kick but Cain moves out of range and Stenger only half commits.
Cain lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stenger throws an overhand right that lands on Cain's shoulder, as Cain tries to avoid the shot.
Cain throws a fast counter high kick but Stenger manages to duck under it in time.
Stenger looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stenger listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Stenger throws a body punch but Cain moves out of range.
Stenger scores with a sloppy right hand. Cain should have avoided that one.
Stenger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cain's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stenger connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cain scrambles back to his feet.
Stenger thuds his right hand into Cain's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Stenger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cain was well out of range. Poor timing from Stenger.
Cain on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stenger scores with a head kick. Cain tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aksel Stenger dominated that 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.

Stenger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stenger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cain was well out of range. Poor timing from Stenger.
Stenger looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stenger misses with a low kick as Cain jumps back.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Cain might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Stenger has got the better of the exchanges.
Stenger's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cain under the eye.
Stenger rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stenger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stenger throws a lazy head kick
and Cain counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stenger misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stenger misses with a wild body shot.
Stenger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Stenger scores with a head kick. Cain tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Stenger throws a head kick that Cain semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenger thuds a left hand into Cain's body.
Stenger lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Stenger misses the target.
Cain blocks a head kick by Stenger.
Stenger blocks a head kick by Cain.
Stenger lands a leg kick that knocks Cain off balance momentarily.
Stenger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stenger slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stenger scores with a jab.
Stenger throws a head kick that half lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stenger. Cain does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sea Level Cain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cain pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stenger appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cain takes a kick to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stenger misses with a leg kick
and Cain connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stenger is looking to slow Cain down with leg kicks.
Cain throws a head kick but Stenger moves out of range.
Cain avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stenger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Cain has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Stenger avoids a kick to the body.
A head kick from Stenger lands but Cain takes it in his stride.
Cain blocks a head kick by Stenger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stenger.
A leg kick checked by Cain.
Stenger throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cain stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cain tries to bum rush Stenger with a series of wild strikes but Stenger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stenger looks to score with a jab to the body but Cain is just out of range.
Stenger is looking to chop away at Cain's legs.
Cain's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Stenger looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stenger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cain moves away.
Cain looks to land a combination but Stenger avoids it well.
Stenger is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cain can do to turn this around?
Good leg kick by Stenger there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cain takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Cain. Those never looked like landing.
Stenger throws a leg kick but Cain sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cain misses with a wild combination.
Cain shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cain scores with a head kick.
Cain displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stenger throws out the jab.
A countering left hand to the body from Cain misses.
Some wild striking there from Stenger.
Cain connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aksel Stenger dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stenger throws a jab but it's blocked by Cain.
Stenger connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stenger misses the shot to the body.
Stenger throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cain throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stenger tries a head kick but it misses.
Stenger throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cain looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Nice body punch from Stenger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stenger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cain has a takedown stuffed.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenger cracks Cain with an open hand slap.
Cain throws a series of punches but Stenger moves out of range.
Cain moves out of range as Stenger strikes.
Stenger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cain moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Aksel Stenger is winning the standup battle so far.
Stenger connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stenger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cain lands with an uppercut that bounces Stenger off the cage and back into range.
Stenger cracks Cain with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Stenger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cain was well out of range. Poor timing from Stenger.
Stenger connects with a crisp jab.
Sea Level Cain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenger swings for the body but Cain moves out of range.
Despite the aggression on Cain's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Stenger has Cain up against the cage in a clinch.
Stenger throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Cain jumps guard and drags Stenger to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cain has Stenger pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stenger throws an elbow that misses. Cain uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stenger's guard. Nice move by Cain!

Stenger pulls Cain in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenger wants to stand but Cain is controlling the position.
Stenger throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Aksel Stenger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cain's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Cain is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stenger has momentary wrist control but Cain slips an elbow through the middle.
Stenger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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

That's four 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.
Stenger is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cain is controlling him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Stenger looking for a sweep. Not yet Stenger, not yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stenger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stenger jabs Cain right on the nose. Cain blinks but takes it well.
Stenger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cain.
Stenger lands a high kick!
Stenger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Stenger thuds a left hand into Cain's body.
Cain misses with a straight right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aksel Stenger showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stenger, 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aksel Stenger!
During a confident post fight interview, Aksel Stenger thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.