PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Stern (ranked 21819 p4p, 443 weight class) and Mac Bandini (ranked 2747 p4p, 249 weight class). Mac Bandini acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Stern
vs
Bandini

178 cm
24
143 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

179 cm
22
153 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Stern!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mac Bandini!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Bandini.
It looked like Stern was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bandini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stern manages to avoid it.
Bandini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bandini lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bandini has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Stern takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stern misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bandini looks to land a left hand but Stern moved out of range nicely.
Bandini works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Bandini fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Bandini closes the distance and pushes Stern back into the ropes.
Bandini lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stern backwards.

Bandini manages to break the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bandini lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stern backs up against the ropes.
Stern keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bandini.
Stern looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A lazy left from Bandini finds it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stern gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bandini scores with a body shot.
Stern dodges the punch combination from Bandini.
Mac Bandini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick from Bandini misses.
Stern appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bandini cracks Stern with a good jab.
Bandini dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stern. That did some damage!
Nice body kick there by Bandini.
Bandini tries to clinch but Stern moves out of range.
Stern slips a straight right by Bandini.
Bandini turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bandini connects with a body shot.
Bandini loads up on a big right hand but Stern slips the punch.
Stern looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A telegraphed right hand from Bandini misses the target.
Stern throws a lazy right hand but Bandini sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bandini displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Stern blocks a jab.
Stern misses with a combination
and Bandini connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stern swats away the attempt to clinch by Bandini.
Stern scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bandini misses with a looping right.
Stern swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stern displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bandini throws out the jab.
Bandini lands an overhand right.
Bandini misses with a right hand
letting Stern counter with a right hand.
Bandini throws an off balance right hand
and Stern counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stern takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Stern stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A bone on bone clash there as Stern blocks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bandini scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Stern misses with a hook. Bandini ducked under it nicely.
Bandini swings widly with a right hand
letting Stern counter with a right hand.
Stern misses with a straight right.
Bandini feints a jab promting Stern to slip. Bandini then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stern slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Stern is rocked!
Bandini tests Stern's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stern staying out of range there.
Stern went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bandini throws a wild body kick that Stern sees coming a mile off.
Stern slips under a jab from Bandini.
Stern takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stern connects with a looping right hand.
A punch combination from Bandini misses.
Stern throws a big counter combination but Bandini scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Stern throws a looping overhand right but Bandini ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bandini lands a nice looking body shot.
Bandini looks to land a right hand but Stern moved out of range.
Bandini misses with a looping left.
Stern uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bandini.
Stern looks to throw the jab but Bandini is out of range.
Stern throws a good cross that connects.
Bandini throws out a loose jab but Stern uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stern throws a big counter combination but Bandini scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bandini lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Stern just misses with a punch to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bandini.
Bandini scores with a sloppy right hand. Stern should have avoided that one.
Bandini ducks under a wild hook from Stern.
Bandini scores with a decent looking hook.
Bandini scores with a jab. Stern acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stern walks into a stiff left hand from Bandini.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stern takes a swing at Bandini's ribcage but misses.
Bandini throws a leg kick
and Stern counters with a series of strikes. Bandini will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bandini chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bandini will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stern misses with a wild combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Bandini misses the target.
Stern is looking for a counter combo.
Bandini connects with a body shot that sends Stern's belly button to the back.
Stern circles away from the clinch attempt
and Stern counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bandini scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bandini connects with a leg kick. Stern looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bandini tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bandini takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stern is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stern works the jab nicely.
Stern throws a series of punches but Bandini avoids them all with ease.
Stern looks to land a combination but Bandini avoids it well.
Bandini dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stern displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bandini throws out the jab.
Stern is looking to counter punch.
Bandini throws a chopping leg kick but Stern manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bandini dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stern. That did some damage!
Bandini throws a head kick but Stern moves out of range.
Stern seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bandini throws a hook but Stern avoids it easily.
Stern swinging wildly here.
Bandini connects with a single shot there.
Bandini misses with a hook. Stern ducked under it nicely.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Stern waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bandini.
Bandini misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Bandini drives through and clinches with Stern against the ropes.
Stern is trying to force a seperation but Bandini has the dominant position.
Stern's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Bandini breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice jab there from Bandini.
Bandini tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stern is able to avoid easily.
Stern is looking for a counter combo.
Stern bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stern avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stern throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bandini counters with a left to the body.
Stern is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A telegraphed right hand from Bandini misses the target.
Bandini scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stern doesn't seem bothered though.
Bandini misses with a hook. Stern ducked under it nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bandini fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bandini misses with a straight right.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bandini jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bandini throws an off balance right hand
and Stern counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bandini moves out of range of the strikes.
Bandini lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stern backs up against the ropes.
Bandini throws a big shot that misses.
Stern misses with a body shot.
Stern looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bandini throws the left hand but Stern avoids the punch easily.
Stern fails to land with a series of punches.
Stern takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Bandini jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bandini throws a lazy uppercut
and Stern counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bandini misses the shot to the body.
Bandini shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stern eats them both and turns towards Bandini to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Stern scores with a nice head shot.
That kick from Bandini tenderised Stern's leg. Stern is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stern moves away from the strike by Bandini.
Bandini throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bandini throws a series of punches but Stern avoids them all with ease.
Bandini misses with an uppercut. Stern saw that one coming.
Bandini attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A punch combination from Stern misses.
Bandini throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stern counters with a straight right hand.
Stern fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bandini throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stern is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bandini misses with the combination.
Jab, jab by Bandini - just one landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mac Bandini dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Bandini fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Stern on the side of the head.
Bandini lands a glancing blow to the side of Stern's head.
Bandini uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The fighters circling - Bandini throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stern tries to bum rush Bandini with a series of wild strikes but Bandini uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bandini throws out a counter right but Stern avoids it with no problem.
Bandini walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stern checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bandini wants to clinch
and Stern counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bandini scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Bandini has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stern throws a series of punches but Bandini moves out of range.
Bandini thuds his right hand into Stern's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bandini misses with a body punch
and Stern connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bandini connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stern momentarily.
Bandini is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Alex Stern is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bandini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stern manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bandini steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stern.
Bandini avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bandini swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Stern misses with a hook. Bandini ducked under it nicely.
Bandini misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mac Bandini seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bandini misses with an uppercut.
Bandini looks to land a left hand but Stern moved out of range nicely.
Nice defenses there by Stern.
Stern connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bandini lands a right hook to the body.
Stern bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stern was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Stern throws a series of punches but Bandini moves out of range.

Bandini drives through and clinches with Stern against the ropes.
Stern is trying to break free.
Bandini lands a hook that snaps the head of Stern backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bandini manages to break the clinch.
Bandini avoids a punch combination nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Stern.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bandini lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stern scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Stern throws a nice looking combination but Bandini bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stern misses with a looping left.
Bandini with a jab.
Bandini throws a sloppy head kick and Stern moves out of range easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bandini lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stern has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stern and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A big right from Bandini misses.
Stern needs to keep his hands up - Bandini had a free shot at his head there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bandini lands with an overhand left.
Bandini changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stern uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bandini.
Stern was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Stern has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stern there as he acknowledges the shot.
A punch combination from Bandini misses.
Stern misses with a looping left.
Stern throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bandini swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bandini works over Stern's head and body with a nice combination.
Stern takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Oh Stern is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A jab from Bandini does it's job there.
Bandini misses with a looping right.
Bandini tries to clinch but Stern is having none of it.
Bandini is working the combinations to good effect here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bandini tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stern is able to avoid easily.
Stern appears to be looking for a big counter.
Stern seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bandini throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stern connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stern ducks under a wild hook from Bandini.
Bandini throws a lazy head kick
and Stern counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bandini lands an overhand right.
Bandini punishes Stern's body with a nice straight punch.
Stern misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bandini.
It seemed like Bandini was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stern takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A telegraphed right hand from Stern misses the target.
Bandini throws a body shot but no joy.
Stern went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bandini misses with a double jab
and Stern counters with a stiff right hand.
Bandini throws a right hand that misses
and Stern counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bandini throws a jab but it's blocked by Stern.
Stern connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bandini thuds his right hand into Stern's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bandini throws a lazy uppercut
and Stern counters with a three punch combo that has Bandini backing up. Bandini nods at Stern to acknowledge the strikes.
Bandini misses with a hook. Stern ducked under it nicely.
Bandini steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stern.
Bandini keeps Stern at a distance using the push kick.
Jab, jab by Stern - just one landing.
Bandini throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stern went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bandini scores with a hook to the body. Stern takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A swing and a miss from Stern.
Bandini avoids the body shot from Stern.
Stern blocks a leg kick.
Bandini throws a solid leg kick but Stern takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bandini.
Stern avoids a punch combination nicely.
It looked like Stern wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Stern throws a combination. Bandini tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big left from Bandini misses.
Bandini throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bandini misses with a hook.
It looked like Stern was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stern on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bandini tried to score with a low kick but Stern checks it.
Bandini throws an off balance right hand
and Stern counters with a stiff right hand.
Bandini throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stern throws a big counter combination but Bandini scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Stern displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bandini throws out the jab.
Stern misses with the combination.
Stern bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bandini throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Stern counters with a series of strikes. Bandini will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bandini throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stern stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bandini tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stern is able to avoid easily.
Bandini lands an overhand right.
Bandini lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stern lands with a nice combination. Bandini backs away looking to recover.
Bandini moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bandini throws a jab but it's blocked by Stern.
Bandini avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Stern. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stern.
Stern misses with a wild body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bandini's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stern connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bandini scrambles back to his feet.
Well,Stern is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Stern walks into a left hand.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bandini clobbers Stern with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bandini misses with a few strikes there.
Stern swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Bandini uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stern.
A little jabbing left from Bandini on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A swing and a miss from Bandini.
Bandini darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bandini misses with an uppercut
and Stern cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stern slips a jab and a cross from Bandini.
Stern throws a big counter combination but Bandini scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Stern keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bandini.
Bandini tries to land a front kick but Stern steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A little feinted left hand from Stern on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bandini misses with a few strikes there.
Bandini throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stern checks the leg kick.
Bandini misses with a hook. Stern ducked under it nicely.
Stern swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Stern slips a jab from Bandini.
Stern ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bandini wants to land a leg kick but Stern is out of range.
Bandini misses with an uppercut
and Stern counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bandini throws a combination that misses
and Stern counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bandini thinking.
Bandini is breathing heavily.
Bandini throws a body shot but no joy.
Bandini will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stern was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Mac Bandini is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stern throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A big left from Bandini misses.
Bandini takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Stern misses with a hook. Bandini ducked under it nicely.
Bandini tries to bum rush Stern with a series of wild strikes but Stern uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Alex Stern has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stern throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mac Bandini comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bandini has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Mac Bandini!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Mac Bandini!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Mac Bandini!

Mac Bandini wins by unanimous decision!
Mac Bandini was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.