PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Horace Cuba (ranked 4934 p4p, 408 weight class) and Alan Schaefer (ranked 5255 p4p, 423 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Cuba
vs
Schaefer

200 cm
18
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
249 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Horace Cuba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alan Schaefer!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cuba is looking to clinch but Schaefer is avoiding it.
Cuba tries to clinch
and Schaefer counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Schaefer tries for a takedown but Cuba sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Schaefer looks for a takedown but Cuba sprawls well.
We've been hearing reports that Cuba has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Schaefer buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Cuba moves into range and clinches up with Schaefer.
Cuba working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Schaefer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cuba has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Schaefer avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Cuba manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schaefer has had enough of the clinch but Cuba keeps him there for the moment.
Cuba lands a nice elbow.
Cuba lands a damaging elbow.
Schaefer takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuba taking a breather.
Cuba drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Schaefer gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cuba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cuba lands an elbow inside.
Cuba pressing his opponent against the cage.
Schaefer has Cuba pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cuba manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Horace Cuba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alan Schaefer.
Cuba lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cuba.
Cuba lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cuba leaning against his opponent.
Cuba has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Schaefer is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cuba lands an elbow inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Schaefer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuba is trying to drag Schaefer to the mat but Schaefer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Schaefer blocks an elbow strike from Cuba.
Schaefer looking for a takedown.
Come on Schaefer - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cuba lands an elbow inside.
Cuba is stalling here.
Cuba working aggressively here.
Schaefer blocks a punch to the side of the head.
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!
Schaefer is trying to push Cuba away but Cuba has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cuba lands an elbow that stopped Schaefer in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Alan Schaefer has been cut.
Cuba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cuba will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Schaefer up against the cage.
Cuba gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schaefer goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cuba prevents it.
Cuba lands an elbow inside.
Cuba lands a damaging elbow.
Cuba lands an elbow inside that Schaefer shrugs off.
Cuba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Schaefer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cuba cracks Schaefer with a nice body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cuba.
Cuba prevents Schaefer from breaking the clinch.
Cuba prevents Schaefer from breaking the clinch.
Schaefer trying to control the position but instead, Cuba has worked for underhooks and has pushed Schaefer into the cage.
Cuba tries to score a body lock takedown but Schaefer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cuba lands an elbow just above Schaefer 's eye.
Schaefer looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuba creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Schaefer's defenses.
Cuba gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Schaefer fails to pull guard.
Cuba creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Schaefer's defenses.
Schaefer is trying to break the clinch but Cuba is controlling him.
Schaefer tries to break the clinch but Cuba is controlling the position.
Schaefer stops a takedown attempt from Cuba.
Schaefer can't break the clinch.
Cuba lands an elbow inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schaefer wants to take the fight to the mat but Cuba manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Schaefer takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cuba stalling the fight.
Cuba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Schaefer backwards.
Schaefer takes an elbow to the temple.
Cuba gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cuba lands an elbow that stopped Schaefer in his tracks for a moment.
Cuba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Horace Cuba dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alan Schaefer's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cuba fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Alan Schaefer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cuba closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Schaefer did well to prevent Cuba getting side control.
Cuba takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cuba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schaefer is trying to stand back up but Cuba is controlling him
Cuba controlling the action here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schaefer is trying to stand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cuba closes the distance but Schaefer moves to the side
and Schaefer counters with a stiff right hand.

Cuba closes the distance and clinches.
Schaefer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Schaefer takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuba stalls.
Cuba is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Schaefer can do to turn this around?
Cuba prevents the takedown attempt.
Schaefer lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Horace Cuba has been cut.
Schaefer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cuba gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Cuba.
Schaefer is looking to break free of the clinch but Cuba has double underhooks.
Schaefer has Cuba pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cuba manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Horace Cuba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alan Schaefer.
Cuba comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Schaefer works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cuba has control of Schaefer's left arm, preventing Schaefer from doing any damage.
Cuba will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cuba wants to get back to his feet but Schaefer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cuba trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Cuba pulls Schaefer in to control the position.
Cuba keeping moving, preventing Schaefer from controlling successfully.
Cuba is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cuba thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cuba performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Schaefer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Schaefer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cuba takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Cuba has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

Cuba clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Horace Cuba dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cuba throws a shot from downtown. Schaefer moves away and avoids it.
Cuba doesn't manage to clinch there - Schaefer circles away.
Cuba tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Schaefer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Schaefer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cuba seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Cuba closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cuba content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cuba working aggressively here.
Schaefer is trying to maintain a safe position but Cuba gets an underhook and turns Schaefer into the cage.
Cuba creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Schaefer's defenses.
Cuba lands an elbow just above Schaefer 's eye.
Horace Cuba has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schaefer has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cuba after a bit of a struggle.
Cuba keeps control of Schaefer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cuba using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cuba lands an elbow just above Schaefer 's eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuba creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Schaefer's defenses.
Schaefer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cuba drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cuba lands an elbow inside that Schaefer shrugs off.
Cuba lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cuba pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nice elbow from Cuba.
Cuba lands a nice elbow.
Schaefer working hard to break the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cuba.
Cuba lands an elbow just above Schaefer 's eye.

Cuba has picked Schaefer up - he's going for a ride! Cuba dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schaefer is trying to stand.
Horace Cuba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Schaefer is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schaefer has hold of Cuba's hands but Cuba slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cuba thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cuba trying to control the pace.
Cuba's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Cuba throwing shots but Schaefer is blocking nicely.
Cuba with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuba stops Schaefer from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Cuba tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Schaefer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Schaefer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cuba is looking to clinch.
Schaefer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Horace Cuba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alan Schaefer.
Schaefer slips a straight right by Cuba.
Cuba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cuba throws an overhand right that lands on Schaefer's shoulder, as Schaefer tries to avoid the shot.
Cuba closes the distance looking to clinch
and Schaefer counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Horace Cuba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cuba tries to clinch up but Schaefer circles away and keeps his distance.

Cuba gets a clinch.
Schaefer tries to break the clinch but Cuba is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuba swings wildly with an uppercut but Schaefer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schaefer is trying to break the clinch but Cuba has him pressed against the cage.
Cuba is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Schaefer ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Schaefer no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Cuba content to stall in guard here.
Alan Schaefer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a sustained period of stalling by Cuba.

And that's the end of the fight!
Horace Cuba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cuba, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Horace Cuba!