PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trage Tragedy (ranked 1041 p4p, 1822 weight class) and Shane Stead (ranked 147 p4p, 245 weight class). 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.

Tragedy
vs
Stead

180 cm
22
195
11 - 3 - 0

190 cm
22
195
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Trage Tragedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shane Stead!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tragedy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tragedy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tragedy misses with a straight right.
Stead feints the counter takedown.
Stead throws an off balance right hand
and Tragedy counters with a thumping low kick.
Stead walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like Shane Stead has been cut.
Stead connects with a looping right hand.
Tragedy looks to score with a jab to the body but Stead is just out of range.
Tragedy slips under a jab.
Tragedy takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tragedy fails to land with a series of punches.
Tragedy misses with a hook

and Stead counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stead missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stead throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've been hearing good reports from Tragedy's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tragedy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tragedy is holding on to half guard well.
Tragedy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tragedy is staying active underneath Stead, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stead not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tragedy trying to control but Stead postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stead is trying to control the action in half guard but Tragedy is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Stead takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stead is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Tragedy reverses the position - he's now on top in Stead's guard.
Tragedy trying to stand up but can't free himself from Stead's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stead controls Tragedy momentarily but Tragedy frees himself.
Tragedy is stalling in the full guard.

Stead is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stead working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tragedy.
Stead is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tragedy slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stead throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Tragedy content to stall in guard here.
Tragedy wants to control from the top but Stead keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tragedy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tragedy scores with a nice head shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Stead as he connects with a hook.
Tragedy throws a lazy right hand but Stead sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stead looks to land a left hand but Tragedy moved out of range nicely.
Tragedy throws a hook but Stead blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stead clobbers Tragedy with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tragedy scores with a jab.
Tragedy misses with a looping left.
Stead takes a swing at Tragedy's ribcage but misses.
Tragedy takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stead has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Stead throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
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!
Tragedy takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stead scores with a nice right hand.
Stead with a hook.
Tragedy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tragedy misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shane Stead will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shane Stead's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stead keeps the fight on the outside.

Tragedy gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stead trying to control the position but instead, Tragedy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Stead into the cage.
Tragedy just leaning against Stead, taking a breather.
Stead has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stead stalling in the clinch but Tragedy improves position.
Stead blocks a body shot from Tragedy.
Tragedy looking to stall.
Stead misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Tragedy pushes Stead off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tragedy misses with a shot to the body

and Stead counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tragedy won't be happy with that.
Stead wants to control but Tragedy is keeping him busy.
Tragedy taking a bit of punishment here - Stead scoring with strikes.
Stead working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Stead lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Tragedy down.
Tragedy is trying to improve his position.
Tragedy wants to control but Stead postures up.
Stead misses with the ground and pound.
Tragedy managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Stead.
Sloppy strikes there by Stead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stead lands a few punches from side control.
Tragedy manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tragedy makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tragedy.
Stead advances position into side control!
Stead throws a strike aimed at the side of Tragedy's head but Tragedy avoids it well.
Stead tries to score with some ground and pound. Tragedy controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Tragedy is looking to regain half guard here but Stead keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stead throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Stead postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Stead working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tragedy takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Shane Stead has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tragedy managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Stead.
Tragedy can't do much from the bottom here.
Stead postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Tragedy tries to bench press Stead off him but Stead keeps the position.
Stead working the head with strikes.
Stead in side control lands a decent elbow.
Tragedy tries to improve position but can't.
Stead throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Tragedy is looking to regain half guard here but Stead keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tragedy is working hard here to advance position.
Stead wants to control for a moment but Tragedy uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Tragedy is looking to control Stead's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tragedy avoid being mounted?
Tragedy slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Stead postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stead missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stead wants to control from the top but Tragedy keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Stead showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shane Stead's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Stead lands a jab.
Tragedy is looking to land body kicks.
Shane Stead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tragedy looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tragedy defending well as Stead loads up on a big left hand.
Shane Stead seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stead takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Stead cracks Tragedy with an open hand slap.
Tragedy cracks Stead with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tragedy throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Stead counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stead throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tragedy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stead.
Tragedy regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Stead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tragedy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Stead throws an elbow that misses. Tragedy uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stead's guard. Nice move by Tragedy!

Stead is trying to keep Tragedy in close.
Stead lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Trage Tragedy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stead throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tragedy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tragedy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stead's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tragedy is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tragedy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stead landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stead is looking to work some ground and pound but Tragedy has wrist control.
Stead must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stead landing some decent shots from guard.
Stead throwing strikes from guard but Tragedy blocks nicely.
Tragedy pulls Stead in to control the position.
Shane Stead is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stead tries to free his leg and advance position but Tragedy is retaining full guard.
Stead looking to sit in guard and control but Tragedy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stead controlling the position.
Tragedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Stead is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stead pulls Tragedy in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tragedy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Tragedy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stead looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tragedy is one step ahead there.

Tragedy drops back looking for a leg! Stead is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stead manages to kick Tragedy off! Tragedy jumps back into Stead's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tragedy throws a big elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shane Stead.
I've got Stead 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Stead!
A very excited looking Shane Stead made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.