PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Blikstein (ranked 813 p4p, 1007 weight class) and Shane Stead (ranked 112 p4p, 139 weight class). Paulo Blikstein has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Blikstein
vs
Stead

187 cm
22
200
6 - 2 - 0

190 cm
24
195
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paulo Blikstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shane Stead!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stead throws an off balance right hand
letting Blikstein counter with a right hand.

It looks like Shane Stead has been cut.
Stead lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Blikstein at a distance.
Stead misses with a wild body shot.
A quick step to the side and Blikstein tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blikstein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stead.
The fighters circling - Stead throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stead scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stead avoids the body shot from Blikstein.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stead fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stead misses with a hook.
Stead walks into a left hand.

Blikstein rushes Stead and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blikstein blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stead blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Blikstein escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stead misses with an uppercut.
Blikstein blocks a jab.
Blikstein takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stead stuns Blikstein with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Blikstein uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stead.
Stead misses with a hook.
It looked like Blikstein was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stead waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Blikstein.
Stead lands a really nice looking cross but Blikstein seems unphased.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stead.
Blikstein is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Stead misses the jab.
Shane Stead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stead digs a good body shot into Blikstein's ribs.
Stead misses the body punch
and Blikstein connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Blikstein ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stead moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Stead lands with an uppercut that bounces Blikstein off the cage and back into range.
Stead lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Stead bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Blikstein's head backwards.
Stead scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Blikstein takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Blikstein misses with an uppercut.
A jab from Stead does it's job there.
Stead misses with a wild body shot.
Stead thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stead on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Stead.
A lazy left from Stead finds it's target.

Blikstein gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stead.
Blikstein holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Blikstein blocks a body shot from Stead.
Stead drops down looking for an ankle pick but Blikstein pulls his leg out and moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stead misses with a combination
and Stead takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Blikstein uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stead.
Blikstein was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Stead throws a lazy right hand but Blikstein sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A quick step to the side and Blikstein tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've been told by Blikstein's head coaches at UnderGround BJJ & MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Stead with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Blikstein lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stead circles away quickly and effectively.
Blikstein changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Stead dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shane Stead's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Blikstein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stead manages to avoid it.
Blikstein misses with a body punch
and Stead counters with a straight right hand.
Blikstein ducks under a wild hook from Stead.
Stead lands with a nice body punch.
Blikstein is looking to wear down Stead with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A jab lands there for Stead.
Blikstein misses with a looping right.
Stead misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blikstein moves out of range as Stead strikes.
Stead takes a swing at Blikstein's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from Blikstein on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Blikstein checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stead misses with an uppercut.
Blikstein appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Blikstein misses with a double jab
and Stead counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Blikstein thinking.
Stead loads up on a big right hand but Blikstein slips the punch.
Stead jabs Blikstein right on the nose. Blikstein blinks but takes it well.
Stead throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Blikstein wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Stead has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blikstein misses with the combination.
Stead feints a counter leg kick.
Stead throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Stead swings widly with a right hand
and Blikstein counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Stead misses.
Shane Stead seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Some wild striking there from Blikstein.
Stead connects with the punch.
Stead takes a swing at Blikstein's ribcage but misses.
Stead rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Blikstein counters with a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stead misses the shot to the body.
As Stead looks to move away, Blikstein throws a big counter combo but Stead just gets out of the way.
Stead swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Stead lands an impressive looking overhand right. Blikstein doesn't seem phased though.
Stead walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Blikstein checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A shot to the body from Stead misses

and Blikstein counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Blikstein is looking to work some ground and pound but Stead has wrist control.
Stead trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Blikstein's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Blikstein working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stead wants to sweep here but Blikstein controlling him for the moment.
Stead is trying to control the position but Blikstein postures up.
Blikstein preventing the sweep.

Stead had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blikstein defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stead is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Blikstein loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stead controlling Blikstein's posture.
Blikstein is working Stead over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Blikstein stopping the sweep attempt from Stead.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blikstein accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stead is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stead is pulling down on Blikstein's head to control his posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shane Stead will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Shane Stead's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Stead throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stead thuds his right hand into Blikstein's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Stead with a hook.
Stead swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blikstein went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Blikstein scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That has opened up Shane Stead's cut even more.
Good standup being displayed there by Blikstein as he connects with a hook.
Stead misses with a straight left.
Blikstein was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stead throws a right hand that misses
enabling Blikstein to counter with a crisp jab.
Blikstein misses the shot to the body.
Blikstein blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Blikstein.
Blikstein lands with a good body shot.
Danga de danga de dang - Stead scores with a four punch combination!
Stead throws a hook to the side of Blikstein's head but Blikstein sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Blikstein appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Blikstein takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Decent striking displayed by Stead there.
Nice shot lands for Stead.
Paulo Blikstein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stead lands a lovely overhand right.
Blikstein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stead moves away.
Stead keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stead takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shane Stead is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Blikstein uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stead.
Blikstein half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Blikstein displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stead throws out the jab.
Blikstein takes one to the chin there.
Blikstein lands a nice looking body shot.
Blikstein takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stead misses with a body shot.
Blikstein looks to land a right hand but Stead moved out of range.
Stead swings for the body but Blikstein moves out of range.
Blikstein changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Blikstein clinches up with Stead and pushes him back against the cage.
Stead takes a shot to the head.
Shane Stead is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Blikstein misses with a hook from the clinch.
Blikstein swings wildly with an uppercut but Stead uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blikstein struggles to land a body shot inside as Stead controls his hands.
Blikstein misses with a punch to the body.
A hook to the body from Stead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein is stalling here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stead.
Stead lands a body shot.
Blikstein goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Blikstein manages to break the clinch.
Blikstein looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Jab from Stead.
Stead misses with a low kick.
Stead swings widly with a right hand
and Blikstein counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stead thinking.
Stead slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Stead!
Shane Stead decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.