PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Axel Stefano (ranked 1766 p4p, 3931 weight class) and Reece Daniels (ranked 218 p4p, 420 weight class). Daniels has chosen Eminem - Kings never die as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Stefano
vs
Daniels

180 cm
28
156
8 - 2 - 0

175 cm
27
158
9 - 9 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Brooklyn Apothecary
Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Axel Stefano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Reece Daniels!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jonathan Paton and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stefano connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stefano seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Stefano throws a lazy uppercut
and Daniels counters with an inside leg kick.
Daniels gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Good standup being displayed there by Daniels as he connects with a hook.
Stefano throws a shot to the body.
Stefano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Daniels throws a fast counter high kick but Stefano manages to duck under it in time.
Stefano lands a really nice looking cross but Daniels seems unphased.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Daniels.
Stefano swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stefano throws a series of punches but Daniels avoids them all with ease.
Daniels chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Daniels defending well as Stefano loads up on a big left hand.
Daniels fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Stefano on 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!
Stefano lands a right hook to the body.
Daniels takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stefano misses with a combination
and Daniels counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefano misses with a straight right.
A swing and a miss from Daniels.
Stefano misses with a hook. Daniels ducked under it nicely.
Stefano throws out a loose jab but Daniels uses good head movement to avoid it.
Axel Stefano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Daniels slips a straight right by Stefano.

Stefano has Daniels up against the cage in a clinch.

Daniels breaks the clinch.
Stefano rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Daniels counters with a straight right hand.
Stefano swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Daniels counters with a straight right hand.
Stefano takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Stefano swings widly with a right hand
and Daniels counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stefano gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stefano lands with a left to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stefano swings wildly with an uppercut but Daniels uses good head movement to avoid it.
Daniels blocking some punches.
Stefano swings wildly with an uppercut but Daniels uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stefano struggles to land a body shot inside as Daniels controls his hands.
Stefano stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

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

Stefano gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Daniels wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stefano lands a shoulder strike.
Stefano working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Daniels blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefano prevents Daniels from breaking the clinch.

Daniels breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stefano tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Daniels is able to avoid easily.
Daniels moves out of range as Stefano strikes.
Daniels connects with a solid leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Daniels.
Stefano loads up on a big right hand but Daniels slips the punch.
Stefano missing with a left hand there. Daniels was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Daniels falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Stefano counter with a right hand.
Daniels throws a hook but Stefano avoids it easily.
Stefano misses with a hook
enabling Daniels to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Stefano does it's job there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels misses with a low kick as Stefano jumps back.
Daniels avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Stefano moves out of range of the body kick from Daniels.
Stefano wants to clinch but Daniels slips to the side
and Daniels makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Daniels throws an overhand right that lands on Stefano's shoulder, as Stefano tries to avoid the shot.
Daniels steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stefano.
Daniels slips a jab from Stefano.
Daniels was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Stefano falls off balance throwing a combination
and Daniels counters with a straight right hand.
Daniels throws a lazy right hand but Stefano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stefano throws a jab when Daniels was well out of range.
Daniels is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Stefano had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Stefano misses with a shot to the body
and Daniels counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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 Axel Stefano will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stefano throws a hook to the side of Daniels's head but Daniels sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stefano misses with a wild body shot.
Daniels moves out of range of the strikes.
Daniels throws a hook but Stefano blocks it.
Stefano swings widly with a right hand
and Stefano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stefano is looking to clinch.
Daniels flicks out a counter leg kick but Stefano steps away.
Stefano looks to throw the jab but Daniels is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Daniels.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Stefano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left lands for Stefano.
Daniels is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stefano.
Stefano is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Daniels.
Stefano loads up on a big right hand but Daniels slips the punch.
Stefano misses with a left hand
and Daniels counters with a good low kick that Stefano was not able to check.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels throws a series of punches but Stefano avoids them all with ease.
Stefano with a hook.
Daniels throws a jab when Stefano was well out of range.
Daniels takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Reece Daniels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stefano throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Daniels on the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Stefano. Those never looked like landing.
Stefano misses with a shot to the body
and Daniels counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stefano fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Daniels on the side of the head.
Stefano misses with a two punch combination.
Daniels throws out a counter right but Stefano avoids it with no problem.
A big left from Stefano misses.
Stefano misses with a hook.
Daniels throws a counter combo.
Stefano steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Daniels.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stefano tries to work over Daniels's front leg with a kick but Daniels checks it.
A punch combination from Stefano misses.
It seemed like Daniels was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stefano throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Daniels counter with a right hand.
Stefano connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stefano throws a poor cross that misses
and Stefano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Daniels looks to throw the jab but Stefano is out of range.
Stefano misses with a right hand
and Daniels cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A good leg kick by Daniels.
Stefano blocks a jab.

Stefano moves into the clinch.
Stefano swings wildly with an uppercut but Daniels uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stefano misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Daniels escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Daniels slips a jab and a cross from Stefano.
Stefano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Daniels swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Daniels lands with a right hand.
Stefano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stefano throws an off balance right hand
and Daniels cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stefano lands with a right hand.
Stefano scores with a jab.
Daniels takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Daniels is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stefano looks to land a left hand but Daniels moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stefano looks to throw the jab but Daniels is out of range.
Daniels throws a counter combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stefano misses with a straight right.
Daniels lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Daniels throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Stefano counters with a nice uppercut.
Stefano swings away with a body shot that misses
and Daniels cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Daniels slips a jab from Stefano.
Stefano moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromDaniels.
Stefano throws a hook but Daniels avoids it easily.
Good leg kick by Daniels.
A telegraphed right hand from Stefano misses the target.
Stefano cracks Daniels with a good jab.
Stefano moves out of range as Daniels strikes.
Stefano throwing a counter right hand but Daniels manages to avoid it.
A big left from Daniels misses.
Stefano slips a jab from Daniels.
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 Axel Stefano will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Daniels keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stefano.
Stefano misses with a hook
and Daniels counters with a slapping leg kick.
Reece Daniels seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stefano swings widly with a right hand
and Daniels counters with a straight right hand.
Daniels keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stefano.
Daniels uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stefano.
Stefano misses with a hook
and Daniels counters with a stiff right hand.
Daniels blocks a jab.
Daniels lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stefano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Daniels.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Daniels! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Daniels takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Daniels avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stefano thows a left - swing and a miss!
Daniels ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Daniels is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefano misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Stefano missing with a left hand there. Daniels was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stefano throws a shot from downtown. Daniels moves away and avoids it.
Stefano misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Daniels counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Daniels throws a sloppy head kick and Stefano moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Stefano misses the target.
Daniels misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stefano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Daniels swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stefano misses with a hook
and Daniels counters with a left and a right that stings Stefano.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Daniels takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Daniels slips a straight right by Stefano.
Stefano throws an off balance right hand
enabling Daniels to counter with a crisp jab.
Stefano looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels tries to bum rush Stefano with a series of wild strikes but Stefano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Daniels misses with a looping right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Daniels ducks under a wild hook from Stefano.
Daniels thows a left - swing and a miss!
Daniels drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Stefano blocks a jab.
Daniels tries a low kick but Stefano avoids it.
Stefano throws the left hand but Daniels avoids the punch easily.
It seemed like Daniels was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Daniels moves away from the strike by Stefano.
Stefano lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Daniels tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefano throws a poor cross that misses
and Daniels counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Daniels bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Daniels throws a shot from downtown. Stefano moves away and avoids it.
Stefano lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stefano misses the jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Daniels.
Daniels pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stefano swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Daniels.
Stefano lands a nice shot to the body.
Stefano looks to land a left hand but Daniels moved out of range nicely.
It seemed like Daniels was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stefano misses with a body punch
and Daniels connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stefano has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Daniels.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A shot to the body from Stefano misses
and Daniels counters with a straight right hand.
Stefano keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Daniels.
Stefano takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Stefano lands a leg kick that knocks Daniels off balance momentarily.
Stefano throws a sloppy body shot
and Daniels counters with an inside leg kick.
Stefano connects with a body shot.
Stefano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stefano takes a swing at Daniels's ribcage but misses.
Daniels looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Reece Daniels has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stefano throws a jab but it's blocked by Daniels.
Daniels avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stefano misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reece Daniels comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stefano 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Axel Stefano!
Axel Stefano spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.