PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Duke McStoner (ranked 910 p4p, 118 weight class) and Jose Romero (ranked 695 p4p, 91 weight class). Jose Romero has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McStoner
vs
Romero

209 cm
22
275 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

190 cm
29
265 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Duke McStoner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jose Romero!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romero fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
McStoner cracks Romero with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
McStoner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McStoner connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - McStoner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Romero looking to score a takedown here. McStoner is defending well but Romero drives through and ends up in McStoner's guard.
Romero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McStoner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Romero on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero controls from within his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Romero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McStoner has momentary wrist control but Romero slips an elbow through the middle.
McStoner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Romero.
McStoner keeping moving, preventing Romero from controlling successfully.

Romero drops back looking for a leg! McStoner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McStoner manages to kick Romero off! Romero jumps back into McStoner's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Romero passes McStoner's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McStoner's coaches at London BALLS OF STEEL 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Romero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Romero thows a huge punch but McStoner dodges it nicely.
Romero is looking to take a break and control but McStoner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Romero tries to pass to full mount but McStoner defends it.
McStoner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McStoner tries to get out of the position.
McStoner is looking for a sweep. Romero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Romero not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero is pressing down on McStoner's thigh, looking to free his foot. McStoner is holding on for now.
McStoner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Romero.
Romero is pressing down on McStoner's thigh, looking to free his foot. McStoner is holding on for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Romero misses with a takedown attempt
enabling McStoner to counter with a crisp jab.
McStoner scores with a nice right hand.
Romero takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McStoner throws out a loose jab but Romero uses good head movement to avoid it.
It seemed like Romero was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Romero shoots and misses
and McStoner counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Romero thinking.
Duke McStoner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Romero.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McStoner misses with a looping left.
McStoner throws a nice looking combination but Romero bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice side step and Romero releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
McStoner fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McStoner is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Romero tries to score a power double leg takedown but McStoner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Romero somewhat.
McStoner was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Duke McStoner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McStoner's corner calls for a 1-2. McStoner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duke McStoner dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Romero has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Romero there as he acknowledges the shot.
McStoner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Romero shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McStoner as he avoids it easily.
Romero has a takedown stuffed.
McStoner sizes up Romero with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Jose Romero has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McStoner misses with a body shot

and Romero counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for McStoner!
You can see the frustration on McStoner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero is looking to take a break and control but McStoner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Romero working the ground and pound but McStoner is defending the strikes.
McStoner is not content to let Romero control the position.
An elbow from Romero crashes against the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Romero trying to control the action but McStoner is working from the bottom.
McStoner is trying to control Romero's posture but Romero avoids it.
Romero throwing strikes but McStoner manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Romero tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but McStoner wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
McStoner will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero can't do much from the bottom here.
McStoner happy to just control the position for now.
A control attempt from Romero but he's now mounted!
McStoner avoids the attempt from Romero to control.
Romero really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Romero tries to hold on but McStoner pushes him away.
Romero bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
McStoner has momentary wrist control but Romero slips an elbow through the middle.
Romero is looking to work some ground and pound but McStoner has wrist control.
Romero pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McStoner is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McStoner utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McStoner controls Romero momentarily but Romero frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jose Romero will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jose Romero's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

McStoner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Romero moves away.
A nice side step and Romero releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
McStoner ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McStoner is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
McStoner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Romero.
Romero avoids the body shot from McStoner.
Romero walks into a jab.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McStoner looks to score with a jab to the body but Romero is just out of range.
Romero avoids the body shot from McStoner.
Romero changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McStoner throws a hook but Romero avoids it easily.
McStoner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Romero can do to turn this around?
Romero tries for a takedown but McStoner circles away easily
letting McStoner counter with a right hand.
Romero misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Duke McStoner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Romero.

Romero throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McStoner tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Romero is in McStoner's guard.
Romero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McStoner looking for a sweep. Not yet McStoner, not yet.
Romero pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McStoner is keeping the position for now.
Romero throws a big right hand that misses.
Romero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Romero keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McStoner's head.
Romero passes McStoner's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Romero sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McStoner defending well though.
Jose Romero has got the better of the ground game so far.
McStoner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Romero.
McStoner trying to control here.
Romero throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Romero content to control rather than advance.
Romero is keen to just control but McStoner is a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Duke McStoner is winning the standup battle so far.
A slow jab from McStoner misses its intended target.
McStoner lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Romero takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero with a poor takedown
and McStoner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Romero shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McStoner defends it nicely.
Romero will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McStoner catches Romero with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McStoner lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McStoner fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Romero on the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Duke McStoner showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McStoner 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duke McStoner!
Duke McStoner decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.