PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jackie Vergys (ranked 1966 p4p, 907 weight class) and Hale Stenburg (ranked 123 p4p, 56 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vergys
vs
Stenburg

167 cm
27
135
6 - 3 - 0

150 cm
27
130
7 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Threads of HARDCORE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Jackie Vergys!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hale Stenburg!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vergys gets tackled into the cage by Stenburg. Stenburg maintains the clinch.

Stenburg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Stenburg has Vergys up against the cage in a clinch.
Vergys is trying to pull guard but Stenburg has him pressed against the cage.
Vergys is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stenburg lands with a right to the head.

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

Stenburg forces Vergys back against the cage and clinches.
Stenburg lands a body shot in the clinch.
Vergys has Stenburg pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stenburg manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackie Vergys. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stenburg avoiding damage.
Vergys goes for a takedown attempt but Stenburg pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hale Stenburg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stenburg moves into the clinch.
Stenburg lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stenburg lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Stenburg closes the distance and pushes Vergys back into the cage.
Stenburg digs a right hand into Vergys's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vergys's gas tank.
Vergys has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stenburg avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Stenburg.

Stenburg breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vergys tries to score a body lock takedown but Stenburg shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vergys looking for a takedown.

Stenburg breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stenburg closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vergys creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Stenburg lands an uppercut.
Stenburg lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vergys wants to take the fight to the mat but Stenburg manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Stenburg as the two fighters clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Vergys is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Stenburg can't fight it off and eventually Vergys manages to take the fight to the floor. Stenburg looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Vergys is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg wants to stand up but Vergys is controlling him.
Vergys loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've been hearing that Vergys has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Stenburg wants to stand up but Vergys is controlling him.
Vergys throws an elbow that misses. Stenburg uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vergys's guard. Nice move by Stenburg!

Stenburg gets to his feet - Vergys follows without any prompting.

Stenburg instigates a clinch.
Stenburg lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Stenburg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg pushes Vergys back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Stenburg is pressed up against the cage. Vergys has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stenburg down to the mat. Stenburg avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Stenburg has Vergys up against the cage in a clinch.
Vergys changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stenburg fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Stenburg moves into the clinch.

Stenburg breaks from the clinch.

Stenburg has closed the distance and engaged Vergys in a clinch.
Stenburg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stenburg is leaning against Vergys and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Stenburg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stenburg moves into the clinch successfully.
A left hand lands to the body for Stenburg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stenburg manages to break the clinch.

Stenburg has managed to clinch.
Stenburg lands a hook that snaps the head of Vergys backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stenburg digs a right hand underneath Vergys's ribcage. Vergys let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stenburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vergys backwards.
A hook to the body from Stenburg.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stenburg.
Stenburg is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Vergys is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Stenburg to keep the fight standing.
Vergys drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stenburg lands a shoulder strike.

Stenburg manages to break the clinch.

Stenburg closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Stenburg.
A short body shot lands from Stenburg as the two fighters clinch.
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 interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Stenburg moves into the clinch.
Stenburg lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Stenburg.

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

Stenburg instigates a clinch.
Vergys has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stenburg avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vergys is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Vergys is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackie Vergys. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short body shot lands from Stenburg as the two fighters clinch.

Stenburg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stenburg has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vergys tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stenburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vergys backwards.
Stenburg lands with a light punch inside.
Stenburg pushes Vergys back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stenburg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vergys tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stenburg stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vergys can't get the takedown.

Stenburg manages to break the clinch.

Stenburg rushes Vergys and presses him up against the cage.
Stenburg effectively controlling the action here.
Stenburg lands with a short shot to the head.

Stenburg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stenburg has managed to clinch.
Stenburg pushes Vergys back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Vergys is looking for a takedown.
Vergys tries to stall but Stenburg uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Stenburg lands a left hand.

Stenburg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stenburg moves into the clinch.
Vergys changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stenburg fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stenburg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Stenburg has Vergys up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg lands with a right to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stenburg lands with a short shot to the head.
Stenburg working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vergys changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stenburg fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Stenburg closes the distance and pushes Vergys back into the cage.

Stenburg breaks from the clinch.
Stenburg wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Stenburg has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stenburg presses Vergys against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stenburg scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Stenburg.
Stenburg lands a left hand that snaps the head of Vergys backwards.
Stenburg lands a hook to the side of the head.

Vergys is rocked!
A shot in the inside from Stenburg.
Oh Vergys is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stenburg lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stenburg is working Vergys over against the cage.
Hale Stenburg seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stenburg lands a body punch in the clinch.

Stenburg drops Vergys onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Vergys is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee calls for Stenburg to work.
Vergys drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stenburg gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stenburg pushes Vergys back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Stenburg gets control of Vergys's arms and successfully pulls guard. Stenburg will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Vergys trying to control but Stenburg is working from the bottom.

Stenburg is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Vergys seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stenburg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Stenburg gets underhooks to prevent Vergys's takedown attempt.
Stenburg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stenburg will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Vergys up against the cage.
Stenburg pushes Vergys back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Stenburg.
Stenburg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stenburg scores with a shoulder strike.

Stenburg jumps guard.
Stenburg is looking to stand up but Vergys isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Stenburg manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Stenburg pushes Vergys back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stenburg working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Vergys tries to keep at a distance but Stenburg has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stenburg lands a right hand.
Stenburg lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Vergys wants to take the fight to the mat but Stenburg manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Vergys tries for a takedown. No joy.
Vergys looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackie Vergys. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vergys's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stenburg gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Vergys.
Stenburg scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Stenburg breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Stenburg has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vergys backwards.
Vergys has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stenburg avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stenburg cracks Vergys with a nice body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Stenburg.
Stenburg pushes Vergys back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Stenburg.
Vergys is working for takedown but Stenburg is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stenburg gets through Vergys's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stenburg makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vergys tries for a takedown but Stenburg manages to get underhooks.
A hook to the body from Stenburg.
Stenburg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stenburg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vergyss head.
Stenburg dips a shoulder and cracks Vergys with a mighty uppercut! Vergys falls back against the cage and Stenburg unloads with a barrage of strikes! Vergys is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Stenburg screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hale Stenburg!
Hale Stenburg is the new bantamweight champion!
Hale Stenburg gave a mention to Core Combat in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).