PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rubens Charles (ranked 4230 p4p, 209 weight class) and Mini Stipe (ranked 6473 p4p, 0 weight class). Rubens Charles has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Charles
vs
Stipe

170 cm
30
146 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

150 cm
38
142 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rubens Charles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mini Stipe!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Charles shoots and misses
and Stipe counters with a stiff right hand.
Stipe is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stipe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Charles has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Charles misses with a takedown
and Stipe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stipe throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stipe thuds a left hand into Charles's body.
Stipe thuds a left hand into Charles's body.
Stipe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Charles momentarily.
Charles darts in looking for a takedown but Stipe gets double underhooks and turns Charles into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rubens Charles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stipe scores with a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stipe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
That kick from Stipe tenderised Charles's leg. Charles is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stipe paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Stipe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Charles shoots in for a takedown but Stipe shows good takedown defense.
Stipe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rubens Charles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Charles with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stipe moves into the clinch.
Charles is trying to drag Stipe to the mat but Stipe just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stipe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stipe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Charless head.
Charles tries to pull guard but Stipe forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Stipe stops a takedown attempt from Charles.
Stipe lands a hook that snaps the head of Charles backwards.
Stipe lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Charles or not.

Stipe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stipe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stipe lands a leg kick that knocks Charles off balance momentarily.
Charles fails with a takedown attempt.
Stipe lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nice cross by Stipe.
Nice sprawl there from Stipe as Charles shoots in.
Stipe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Stipe.
Charles with a poor takedown
and Stipe counters with a nice leg kick.
Mini Stipe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Stipe connects with a good right hand that stumbles Charles. Charles circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Charles is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Charles takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Charles shoots in but Stipe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That kick from Stipe tenderised Charles's leg. Charles is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stipe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Charles has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Stipe scores with a leg kick.
Charles fails with a takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Stipe.
Stipe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Charles on the side of the head.
Nice sprawl there from Stipe as Charles shoots in.
Charles on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stipe. Stipe obviously looking to wear him down.
Stipe connects with a high kick.
Stipe connects with a single shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stipe scores with a jab to the body.
Stipe is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Charles had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Charles takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Stipe uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Stipe slaps away a takedown attempt from Charles, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stipe follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Stipe dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Charles. That did some damage!
Stipe stuns Charles with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stipe scores with a nice body kick.
Stipe throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Charles's head.
Stipe is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stipe catches Charles with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stipe slaps away a takedown attempt from Charles, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A little jabbing left from Stipe on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stipe lands a nice leg kick that just misses Charles's sensitive parts.
Charles takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Charles shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Charles gets a double leg takedown into Stipe's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Stipe 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.
Stipe looking to control.
Charles is stalling in the full guard.
Stipe can't keep his opponent in guard - Charles advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Charles not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stipe tries to roll over but Charles keeps him under control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Charles thows a huge punch but Stipe dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mini Stipe dominated that round.
That's time! Charles's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stipe lands a nice leg kick that just misses Charles's sensitive parts.
Charles is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Charles shoots in for a double leg but Stipe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As Charles backs off Stipe throws a huge counter combo but Charles manages to avoid it all.
Stipe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Charles's head.

Charles gets a double leg takedown into Stipe's guard.
Charles won't allow Stipe to sweep him here.
Stipe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Charles will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Stipe wants to hit a switch here but Charles passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Stipe there!
Charles lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Stipe bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
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!
Stipe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stipe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stipe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stipe trying to control but Charles is working from the bottom.

Charles had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stipe defends it easily.
Stipe works over Charles with some ground and pound from guard.
Stipe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Charles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stipe sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Charles's guard.
Charles has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Charles gets full guard.
Stipe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stipe controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stipe postures up in Charles's guard and throws a big left but Charles blocks it.
Charles keeping full guard, as Stipe tries to pass.
Stipe with a nice head shot there.
Stipe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stipe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Charles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stipe content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stipe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stipe lands a couple of digs.

Charles is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stipe defends well.

Charles is looking for a triangle but Stipe pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stipe with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stipe tries to free his leg and advance position but Charles is retaining full guard.
Stipe is still trying to improve position.
Stipe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Charles's head.
Stipe slips nicely into half guard.
Charles is trying to get back to full guard.
Stipe is keen to just control but Charles is a slippery customer.
Stipe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Stipe throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Charles is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stipe scores with a couple of nice shots.
Stipe is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Mini Stipe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stipe trying to control the action but Charles is working from the bottom.
Stipe lands with a punch from half guard.
Stipe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Charles with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Stipe lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stipe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Stipe scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Charles tries to roll over but Stipe keeps him under control.
Stipe wants to control but Charles is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mini Stipe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Charles shoots and misses
and Stipe counters with a stiff right hand.
Stipe throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stipe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A head kick from Stipe lands but Charles takes it in his stride.
Stipe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Charles's head backwards.
Stipe throws a leg kick which misses Charles's front leg but catches the back leg as Charles tries to avoid it.
Stipe tries a head kick but it misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stipe.
Stipe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Charles moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Charles fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Charles takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stipe scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Stipe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Charles doesn't seem phased though.
Charles misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rubens Charles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stipe getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Charles changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stipe looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Stipe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stipe sneaks back into half guard.
Stipe slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Stipe keeping moving, preventing Charles from controlling successfully.
Charles preventing the sweep.
Stipe looking to control.
Rubens Charles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charles tries to free his leg and advance position but Stipe is retaining full guard.
Charles trying to control but Stipe is working from the bottom.
Charles throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stipe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Charles throws an elbow that misses. Stipe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Charles's guard. Nice move by Stipe!

Stipe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stipe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Stipe is in close to Charles's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Charles wants to sweep but no luck.
Charles avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Charles wants to sweep but no luck.

Stipe drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Charles dives on top into guard.

Charles postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Charles got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stipe has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Charles has managed to get both his arms back between Stipe's legs - danger averted.
Stipe tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Charles avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Charles postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stipe wants to sweep but no luck.
Stipe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Charles stopping the sweep attempt from Stipe.

Stipe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Charles throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stipe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Charles loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mini Stipe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stipe 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mini Stipe!
An out of breath Mini Stipe thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.