PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chael Bisping (ranked 2258 p4p, 127 weight class) and Hale Stenburg (ranked 2735 p4p, 145 weight class). Bisping kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Kasabian - Underdog. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bisping
vs
Stenburg

170 cm
26
138 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

150 cm
27
130 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Threads of HARDCORE
SynCity Fightwear

Core Combat
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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chael Bisping!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hale Stenburg!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Roberts and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stenburg has closed the distance and engaged Bisping in a clinch.
Stenburg is leaning against Bisping and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stenburg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stenburg displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bisping up against the cage.
Stenburg lands a left hand.

Bisping breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bisping slips a jab and a cross from Stenburg.
Stenburg 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.

Bisping gets tackled into the cage by Stenburg. Stenburg maintains the clinch.
Bisping prevents a body shot from Stenburg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stenburg controlling the action here for a moment.
Stenburg tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bisping just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stenburg is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bisping to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenburg avoiding damage.

Stenburg pulls guard.

Bisping stands up and waves to Stenburg to follow him.
Stenburg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bisping.
Stenburg takes one on the button.

Bisping closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Stenburg.
Stenburg misses with a punch to the body.
Bisping looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stenburg swings wildly with an uppercut but Bisping uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bisping tries to break the clinch but Stenburg is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bisping backwards.
Bisping is trying to break the clinch but Stenburg has him pressed against the cage.
Stenburg avoiding damage.
Stenburg slowing the pace effectively.
Stenburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bisping backwards.
Stenburg lands a shoulder strike.
Bisping tries to break free but Stenburg pushes him back against the cage.

Stenburg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stenburg gets a clinch.
Stenburg scores with a shot to the side of Bisping's head.
Stenburg tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Chael Bisping has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hale Stenburg.

Stenburg's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stenburg takes the fight into the clinch.
Bisping wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stenburg jumps guard but Bisping stands there with Stenburg around his waist. Stenburg gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Stenburg's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bisping throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stenburg walks into a left hand.
Bisping swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stenburg lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Stenburg blocks a leg kick.

Stenburg takes the fight into the clinch.
Stenburg slowing the pace effectively.
Stenburg fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stenburg is leaning against Bisping and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bisping tries to break free but Stenburg pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Stenburg.
Bisping tries to break free but Stenburg pushes him back against the cage.
Bisping is trying to force a seperation but Stenburg has the dominant position.
Bisping is trying to break free.
Stenburg lands with a left to the head.
Stenburg tries to work over Bisping's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stenburg's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Stenburg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stenburg scores with a shot to the side of Bisping's head.
Stenburg is working Bisping over against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hale Stenburg dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stenburg has managed to clinch.
Stenburg is pushing Bisping up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Stenburg has Bisping pushed against the cage.
Stenburg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bisping is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hale Stenburg seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stenburg dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Stenburg scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stenburg has Bisping pressed against the cage, preventing Bisping from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stenburg manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stenburg dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bisping tries to break the clinch but Stenburg is controlling the position.
Stenburg lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bisping backwards.
Stenburg tries a body shot but Bisping blocks it.
Stenburg tries to pull guard but Bisping won't allow it.
Stenburg fails to pull guard.
Stenburg effectively controlling the action here.
Stenburg is trying to pull guard but Bisping turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Chael Bisping has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hale Stenburg.
Bisping looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Stenburg breaks the clinch.
Stenburg is looking to clinch but Bisping is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bisping takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Stenburg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bisping manages to avoid it.
Bisping misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bisping wants to clinch up but Stenburg keeps it at a distance.
Stenburg fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bisping is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stenburg sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stenburg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stenburg is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Stenburg closes the distance and pushes Bisping back into the cage.
Stenburg lands a right hand.
Stenburg presses Bisping against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stenburg doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stenburg lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stenburg jumps guard and drags Bisping to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Bisping stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Bisping with that takedown attempt.
Stenburg tries to clinch there but Bisping circles away.

Stenburg darts in and clinches Bisping up against the cage.
Bisping has had enough of the clinch but Stenburg keeps him there for the moment.
A bit of stalling here from Stenburg.
A short right from Stenburg on the inside.
Stenburg working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stenburg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Stenburg pulls Bisping into guard.

Stenburg wriggles free and stands up.
Bisping will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Stenburg jumps into guard, dragging Bisping to the mat.

Bisping stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hale Stenburg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stenburg keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A nice combination there by Bisping.
Stenburg lands a nice looking body shot.
Bisping throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stenburg sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A shot to the liver by Bisping. Beautiful body shot.
Stenburg tries to clinch up but Bisping circles away and keeps his distance.
Stenburg throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bisping.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hale Stenburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A punch combination from Stenburg misses.
Bisping scores with a one two! Stenburg had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Hale Stenburg has been cut.
Stenburg swings for the body but Bisping moves out of range.
Stenburg wants to clinch up but Bisping keeps it at a distance.
Stenburg leaves Bisping with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bisping sets himself, and Stenburg steps forward looking for the clinch! Bisping avoids it this time.
Bisping tries to bum rush Stenburg with a series of wild strikes but Stenburg uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bisping shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Stenburg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bisping throws a jab but it's blocked by Stenburg.
Bisping closes the distance and clinches up with Stenburg, looking for a takedown. Bisping pushes Stenburg against the cage but Stenburg circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bisping. Stenburg does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bisping connects with a right hand. Stenburg shakes it off.
Bisping keeps the fight on the outside.
Bisping throws out a loose jab but Stenburg uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stenburg tries to bum rush Bisping with a series of wild strikes but Bisping uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch but Bisping swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Danga de danga de dang - Bisping scores with a four punch combination!
Chael Bisping is winning the standup battle so far.

Stenburg moves into the clinch.
Stenburg lands with a short shot to the head.

Stenburg's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bisping lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stenburg circles away quickly and effectively.
Bisping is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Stenburg clinches up against the cage.
Stenburg lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Stenburg lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stenburg manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Chael Bisping has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bisping is trying to break the clinch but Stenburg is controlling him.
Bisping is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stenburg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stenburg leaning against his opponent.
Stenburg tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Good body shot from Stenburg.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Stenburg swings wildly with an uppercut but Bisping uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stenburg lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bisping or not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Chael Bisping has been cut.
Stenburg throws a punch but it's blocked by Bisping.
Stenburg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stenburg keeps control of Bisping as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stenburg working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A frustrated look appears on Bisping's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bisping is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bisping wants to get back to striking at distance but Stenburg won't allow it.
Stenburg keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bisping's efforts to push away.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Stenburg keeps control of Bisping as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stenburg breaks from the clinch.
Stenburg throws a series of punches but Bisping avoids them all with ease.
Stenburg tries to clinch there but Bisping circles away.
Bisping misses the shot to the body.
Bisping throws a big shot that misses.
Bisping tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stenburg swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hale Stenburg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stenburg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bisping paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bisping swings widly with a right hand
and Stenburg counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Stenburg has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stenburg has Bisping pushed against the cage.

Stenburg jumps guard and drags Bisping to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bisping in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hale Stenburg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stenburg winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hale Stenburg!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Hale Stenburg made sure he mentioned Core Combat, along with how happy he was to win his fight.