PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lorenzo Bataglia (ranked 2734 p4p, 143 weight class) and Hale Stenburg (ranked 1885 p4p, 107 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bataglia
vs
Stenburg

170 cm
24
142 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

150 cm
26
130 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Threads of HARDCORE

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lorenzo Bataglia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hale Stenburg!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bataglia misses with a jab to the body

and Stenburg counters with a crisp one two that drops Bataglia! Stenburg thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Bataglia to his feet! Bataglia is in big trouble!

Bataglia is rocked!
Bataglia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Oh Bataglia is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stenburg throws a series of punches but Bataglia moves out of range.
Stenburg throws a right and a left that Bataglia avoids nicely.
Bataglia seems to have got his legs back now.
Bataglia looks to throw the jab but Stenburg is out of range.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch but Bataglia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stenburg tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bataglia counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stenburg thinking.
Stenburg wants to clinch.
Stenburg scores with a hook to the body. Bataglia takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Bataglia misses.
Stenburg tries to clinch there but Bataglia circles away.
Stenburg closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bataglia counters with a stiff right hand.
Stenburg moves in looking to clinch but Bataglia pushes him off.
Bataglia was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bataglia lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stenburg at a distance.
Stenburg walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stenburg tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bataglia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stenburg tries to clinch up
and Bataglia connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bataglia swings widly with a right hand
and Stenburg counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Bataglia misses its intended target.

Stenburg rushes Bataglia and presses him up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stenburg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stenburg dives in and grabs Bataglia's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bataglia pushes down on Stenburg's head and hops out.
A punch combination from Stenburg misses.
Bataglia scores with a hook.
Hale Stenburg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bataglia keeps the fight on the outside.
Stenburg walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bataglia is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Stenburg darts in trying to clinch
and Bataglia counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bataglia takes a swing at Stenburg's ribcage but misses.
Bataglia definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Bataglia tries to keep at a distance but Stenburg has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Bataglia.

Bataglia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stenburg tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bataglia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stenburg tries to clinch
and Bataglia makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Bataglia lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bataglia misses with a looping right.
Bataglia misses with a body shot.
Bataglia changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bataglia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stenburg.
Stenburg throws a counter combo.
Bataglia circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bataglia connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stenburg has closed the distance and engaged Bataglia in a clinch.
Stenburg is trying to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bataglia creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bataglia creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bataglia lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Bataglia breaks from the clinch.
Stenburg tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bataglia counters with a left and a right that stings Stenburg.
Stenburg misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stenburg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stenburg closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bataglia counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stenburg wants to clinch but Bataglia slips to the side
and Bataglia counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch but Bataglia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bataglia is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bataglia circles away from the clinch attempt.
It looked like Bataglia wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hale Stenburg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bataglia listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A punch lands to the side of Stenburg 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stenburg closes the distance but Bataglia moves to the side
and Bataglia counters with a nice body shot.
Stenburg is looking to clinch.
Bataglia was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bataglia lands with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bataglia keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Stenburg closes the distance and pushes Bataglia back into the cage.
Bataglia is trying to break the clinch but Stenburg is controlling him.

Bataglia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stenburg tries to clinch but Bataglia moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bataglia jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stenburg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bataglia is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Bataglia connects with a single shot there.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bataglia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stenburg fails to land the takedown.
Stenburg moves away from the strike by Bataglia.
Stenburg moves to clinch but Bataglia breaks away
and Bataglia cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stenburg takes a swing at Bataglia's ribcage but misses.
Nice body punch from Bataglia.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bataglia swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stenburg tries to clinch up.
Bataglia thuds a left hand into Stenburg's body.
Stenburg wants to clinch up but Bataglia keeps it at a distance.
Stenburg fails to land with a series of punches.
Bataglia misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stenburg.
Bataglia misses with a straight right.
Stenburg moves to clinch but Bataglia breaks away
and Bataglia counters with a three punch combo that has Stenburg backing up. Stenburg nods at Bataglia to acknowledge the strikes.
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!
Stenburg lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bataglia circles away quickly and effectively.
Stenburg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bataglia scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bataglia circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bataglia cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stenburg fails to land the takedown.
Bataglia swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stenburg is looking to clinch.
Stenburg misses with a hook to the body
and Bataglia counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stenburg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bataglia ducks under a wild hook from Stenburg.
Bataglia connects with a nice looking jab.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bataglia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bataglia misses with a straight right.
Lorenzo Bataglia is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Bataglia.
Stenburg has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stenburg there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch but Bataglia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bataglia swings for the body but Stenburg moves out of range.

Stenburg forces Bataglia back against the cage and clinches.
Stenburg presses Bataglia against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bataglia lands with a right to the head.
A short uppercut from Bataglia.
Stenburg has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Bataglia working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stenburg struggles to land a body shot inside as Bataglia controls his hands.
Bataglia goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stenburg looking to stall.
Bataglia tries to throw a body punch but Stenburg avoids it by throwing Bataglia back against the cage.
Bataglia lands a nice shot to the body.
Stenburg is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bataglia is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lorenzo Bataglia dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Stenburg throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bataglia counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bataglia is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stenburg can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed right hand from Bataglia misses the target.
Stenburg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bataglia lands a nice hook to Stenburg's body. Stenburg takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Stenburg lands a jab-cross combination.
Stenburg tries to clinch but Bataglia moves away
and Bataglia counters with a straight right hand.
Stenburg throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bataglia jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bataglia cracks Stenburg with an open hand slap.
Stenburg tries to clinch up
and Bataglia makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenburg with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice uppercut there from Bataglia.
Stenburg falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bataglia counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stenburg takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bataglia feints a jab promting Stenburg to slip. Bataglia then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stenburg slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Stenburg tries to clinch there but Bataglia circles away.
Bataglia swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stenburg closes the distance but Bataglia moves to the side
and Bataglia counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bataglia swings for the body but Stenburg moves out of range.
Stenburg moves to clinch but Bataglia breaks away
and Bataglia counters with a nice uppercut.
Bataglia scores with a three punch combo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stenburg tries to clinch up.
A shot to the liver by Bataglia. Beautiful body shot.
Stenburg scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stenburg tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bataglia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
An attempted straight right counter from Bataglia misses the target.
Bataglia circles away from the clinch attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Bataglia misses its target.
Bataglia uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stenburg has time to react.

Stenburg darts in and clinches Bataglia up against the cage.
Stenburg misses with a hook from the clinch.

Stenburg breaks from the clinch.
Bataglia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bataglia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stenburg wants to clinch up but Bataglia keeps it at a distance.
Bataglia circles away from the clinch attempt
and Stenburg takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg tries to clinch up
and Bataglia counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bataglia throws a jab when Stenburg was well out of range.
Bataglia keeps the fight on the outside.
Stenburg closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bataglia counters with a nice uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bataglia.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bataglia circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bataglia counters with a nice body shot.
Stenburg wants to clinch
enabling Bataglia to counter with a crisp jab.
Bataglia misses with a body shot.
Hale Stenburg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bataglia circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bataglia counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Jab by Bataglia.
Stenburg is looking to clinch but Bataglia is avoiding it.
Lorenzo Bataglia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stenburg tries to clinch but Bataglia moves away
and Stenburg takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lorenzo Bataglia showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bataglia has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lorenzo Bataglia!