PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramses Fiddlesticks (ranked 18556 p4p, 607 weight class) and Howard Stern (ranked 2030 p4p, 259 weight class). Stern has chosen The Great American Nightmare as his entrance music. Ramses Fiddlesticks had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 207.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. 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?

Fiddlesticks
vs
Stern

180 cm
32
225 lbs
8 - 19 - 0

184 cm
43
205 lbs
35 - 30 - 1

Powerful takedowns
World class boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Ramses Fiddlesticks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 30 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Howard Stern!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fiddlesticks pushes Stern up against the cage in a clinch.
Stern can't get the takedown.
Stern tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fiddlesticks has had enough of the clinch but Stern keeps him there for the moment.
Stern just leaning against Fiddlesticks, taking a breather.
Fiddlesticks stops a takedown attempt from Stern.
Ramses Fiddlesticks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Howard Stern.

Stern wants the takedown. Fiddlesticks is fighting it off but Stern persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Fiddlesticks's guard against the cage.
Stern is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fiddlesticks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stern is controlling him.
Stern slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fiddlesticks wants to stand up but Stern is controlling him.
Stern is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stern looking to pass the guard.
Fiddlesticks wants to stand up but Stern is controlling him.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Stern looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stern is stalling in the full guard.
Fiddlesticks keeping full guard, as Stern tries to pass.
Fiddlesticks wants to stand but Stern is controlling the position.
Stern looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stern prevents Fiddlesticks from getting back to his feet.
Stern's corner is telling him to maintain position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Fiddlesticks wants to get back to his feet but Stern is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Stern shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Stern performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

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

Stern is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fiddlesticks defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stern sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Fiddlesticks has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Stern is on him like a limpet, forcing Fiddlesticks back against the cage.
Stern can't get the takedown.
Stern wants a takedown.
Fiddlesticks gets underhooks to prevent Stern's takedown attempt.
Stern prevents Fiddlesticks from breaking the clinch.
Stern drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stern drops down looking for an ankle pick but Fiddlesticks pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fiddlesticks fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stern drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Fiddlesticks defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fiddlesticks moves into the clinch successfully.
Fiddlesticks gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stern.
A frustrated look appears on Fiddlesticks's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fiddlesticks has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stern has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fiddlesticks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fiddlesticks has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stern has Fiddlesticks pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fiddlesticks manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fiddlesticks gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stern.
Fiddlesticks is trying to push Stern away but Stern has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fiddlesticks tries to break free but Stern pushes him back against the cage.
Stern stalling the fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ramses Fiddlesticks will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck for Fiddlesticks with that takedown attempt.
Fiddlesticks stuffs the takedown attempt from Stern. Stern gets slowly back to his feet.
Fiddlesticks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stern avoids it really well and circles away.
Stern is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Fiddlesticks misses with a wild combination.
Stern misses with a takedown attempt - Fiddlesticks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fiddlesticks fails with an attempt to clinch.

Stern dives in and scores a takedown into Fiddlesticks's guard.

Fiddlesticks has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Stern off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fiddlesticks has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ramses Fiddlesticks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stern shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fiddlesticks sprawls well. Fiddlesticks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stern gets slowly back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fiddlesticks scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fiddlesticks lands a jab-cross combination.

Stern bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Stern is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Fiddlesticks has escaped the position, nice work there.
Fiddlesticks is trying to get back to his feet.

Stern thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stern happy to just control the position for now.
Fiddlesticks tries to escape but Stern is in control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Fiddlesticks is trying to get back to his feet.
Stern moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fiddlesticks tries to escape but Stern is in control.
Fiddlesticks is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at FIERCE - {{$750}} - 15 Elite Coaches, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
The referee asks Stern politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Stern prefers to stall for the moment though.
Let's hope that Stern 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.
Fiddlesticks is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Stern is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fiddlesticks throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fiddlesticks digs a good body shot into Stern's ribs.
Ramses Fiddlesticks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stern drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Stern controls the position from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fiddlesticks is trying to get back to his feet.
Howard Stern has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stern tries for a kimura but Fiddlesticks is defending well.
Stern in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Fiddlesticks wants to get back to his feet but Stern drags him back down.
Stern slows the pace down.
Fiddlesticks pushes Stern away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Stern gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A lull in the action here as Stern stalls from top position.
Stern prevents Fiddlesticks from escaping the position.
Stern taking a breather here.

Stern is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fiddlesticks is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fiddlesticks is trying to buck Stern off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ramses Fiddlesticks will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Fiddlesticks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stern circles away quickly and effectively.
Stern tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Stern feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stern not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Fiddlesticks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stern sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fiddlesticks wants to get back to his feet but Stern is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stern passes Fiddlesticks's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fiddlesticks wants to get back to his feet.

Stern is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fiddlesticks is trying to stand.
Stern content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Stern is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stern controlling the action here.
Howard Stern has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Fiddlesticks is trying to stand back up but Stern is controlling him

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Stern throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Fiddlesticks was covering up waiting for the punch and Stern finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Fiddlesticks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stern is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Fiddlesticks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stern is controlling him.
Stern stands and throws Fiddlesticks's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fiddlesticks is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Stern is staying tight to Fiddlesticks's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fiddlesticks tries to escape but Stern is in control.

Stern is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fiddlesticks is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Stern is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Fiddlesticks's shoulder. That is not cool.
Stern's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Stern prevents Fiddlesticks from escaping the position.
Fiddlesticks bucks up and tries to throw Stern off but instead Stern has got his back!
Stern just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Fiddlesticks is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fiddlesticks is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Fiddlesticks is trying to stand back up.
Stern just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Ramses Fiddlesticks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Our spies down at at Rabid Dog inform us that Stern has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Fiddlesticks wants to get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stern is riding his opponent, not letting Fiddlesticks buck him off.

Stern looking for the choke but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Howard Stern comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fiddlesticks 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Howard Stern!
An out of breath Howard Stern thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Ramses Fiddlesticks spoke after the fight, saying 'Um, this is no surprise. I don't know why I fight. I don't even like fighting.'.