PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trevor Fitch (ranked 1732 p4p, 906 weight class) and Joseph Stalinovich (ranked 231 p4p, 125 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Fitch
vs
Stalinovich

177 cm
25
205
9 - 8 - 0

192 cm
24
210
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

FF Gear
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Trevor Fitch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joseph Stalinovich!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitch looks to land a left hand but Stalinovich moved out of range nicely.
Fitch fails with a takedown attempt.
Stalinovich throws an overhand right that lands on Fitch's shoulder, as Fitch tries to avoid the shot.
Fitch attempts a counter takedown but Stalinovich avoids it well and moves away.
Fitch misses with a looping right.
Stalinovich stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stalinovich wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - Fitch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stalinovich scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stalinovich has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fitch finds it's way round the side to connect with Stalinovich's head.
Fitch takes a swing at Stalinovich's ribcage but misses.
Stalinovich wants to counter the offense by Fitch and move into the clinch position.
Stalinovich throws a poor cross that misses

and Fitch counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fitch.
Stalinovich tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stalinovich managing to control the position.
Fitch engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Stalinovich is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Fitch preventing the sweep.
Stalinovich trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Joseph Stalinovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stalinovich misses the shot to the body.
Stalinovich stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trevor Fitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalinovich throws the left hand but Fitch avoids the punch easily.
Stalinovich throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Trevor Fitch has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitch takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stalinovich throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stalinovich's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Stalinovich duly obliges.
Stalinovich is looking to clinch.
Stalinovich throws a head kick but Fitch moves out of range.

Fitch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stalinovich tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stalinovich felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Stalinovich is trying to escape the position but Fitch is controlling the position.
Fitch works to advance to full mount. Stalinovich defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Fitch wants to control the pace but Stalinovich is squirming around nicely.
Stalinovich is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Stalinovich slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Fitch is fighting to break Stalinovich's control of his arms but Stalinovich is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Stalinovich keeping full guard, as Fitch tries to pass.
Fitch is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stalinovich keeping moving, preventing Fitch from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fitch controlling from the top position.
Stalinovich keeping moving, preventing Fitch from controlling successfully.
Fitch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stalinovich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stalinovich working a defensive guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fitch ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fitch throws a right hand that Stalinovich ducks under and follows up with a left that Stalinovich also avoids with ease.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Trevor Fitch will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Trevor Fitch's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stalinovich lands with a nice body punch.
Fitch blocks a head kick by Stalinovich.
Fitch on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fitch blocks a head kick by Stalinovich.
Fitch misses with a body shot

and Stalinovich moves into the clinch.
Stalinovich misses with a punch on the inside.
Stalinovich misses with the head strike.
Stalinovich blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fitch throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stalinovichs head.
Fitch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stalinovich tries a body shot but Fitch blocks it.
Fitch tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stalinovich just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalinovich scores with a shoulder strike.

Fitch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A decent looking cross lands there for Fitch.
Fitch staying out of range there.
Fitch half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stalinovich sprawls well. Stalinovich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fitch gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalinovich looks to throw the jab but Fitch is out of range.
Fitch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stalinovich.
Stalinovich takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stalinovich misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fitch appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fitch connects with a looping right hand.
Fitch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Fitch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stalinovich throws a body punch but Fitch moves out of range.
Fitch misses with a takedown attempt - Stalinovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trevor Fitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalinovich closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Joseph Stalinovich seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stalinovich bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fitch's head backwards.
Fitch moves away from the strike by Stalinovich.
Fitch loads up on a big right hand but Stalinovich slips the punch.
Fitch staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich misses with a body shot.
Fitch cracks Stalinovich with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fitch looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stalinovich is fending him off so far but Fitch persists. Nope, Stalinovich circles away and we're back to standing.
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!
Stalinovich takes a swing at Fitch's ribcage but misses.
Fitch changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fitch scores with a body shot.
Stalinovich throws a looping overhand right but Fitch ducks down to avoid it.
Stalinovich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fitch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice defenses there by Fitch.
Fitch steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stalinovich.
Fitch attempts a counter takedown but Stalinovich avoids it well and moves away.
Fitch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stalinovich slips under a jab.
Fitch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stalinovich scores with a nice strike.
Stalinovich keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stalinovich misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitch.
Stalinovich misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fitch slips under a jab.

Fitch feints and as Stalinovich raises his hands in defense, Fitch changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stalinovich is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fitch might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stalinovich wants to sweep but no luck.
Fitch is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fitch trying to control but Stalinovich is working from the bottom.
Fitch engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Stalinovich is pulling down on Fitch's head to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stalinovich is keeping the position for now.
Fitch sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Fitch comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fitch fails with a takedown attempt.
Fitch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fitch staying out of range there.

Stalinovich tries to sprawl but Fitch drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stalinovich is holding on to half guard well.
Stalinovich tries to get to full guard but Fitch has control of the leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joseph Stalinovich will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Trevor Fitch'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. This is the final round!

Stalinovich misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitch.
Fitch connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stalinovich scores with a jab.
Fitch throws a body shot but no joy.
Stalinovich lands an overhand right.
Stalinovich stuffs the takedown.
Fitch takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stalinovich takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stalinovich looks to score with a jab to the body but Fitch is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Fitch.
Fitch tries to counter with a takedown but Stalinovich is quick to defend against it.
Fitch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stalinovich circles away quickly and effectively.
Fitch connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fitch throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Stalinovich to counter with a crisp jab.

Trevor Fitch's cut is getting worse.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circle momentarily. Stalinovich darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Stalinovich throws a sloppy head kick and Fitch moves out of range easily.
Fitch shoots for a takedown but Stalinovich saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fitch tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stalinovich swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trevor Fitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch scores with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitch. Stalinovich does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stalinovich lands a jab.
Fitch is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stalinovich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fitch darts in looking for a takedown but Stalinovich gets double underhooks and turns Fitch into the cage.
Fitch takes a shot to the head.
Fitch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stalinovich working aggressively here.
Fitch lands a nice shot to the body.
I was talking to Fitch's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Stalinovich gets through Fitch's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Trevor Fitch's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Stalinovich pushes Fitch back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Stalinovich lands with a short shot to the head.
Fitch fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Stalinovich.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fitch wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fitch tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fitch blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stalinovich scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stalinovich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fitch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitch fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fitch struggles to land a body shot inside as Stalinovich controls his hands.
Stalinovich working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stalinovich prevents a body shot from Fitch.
Stalinovich stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Stalinovich gets through Fitch's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stalinovich lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fitch can't find room to land a body shot as Stalinovich controls the action.
Stalinovich tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stalinovich misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stalinovich gets through Fitch's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fitch has had enough of the clinch but Stalinovich keeps him there for the moment.
Stalinovich is leaning against Fitch and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stalinovich working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Stalinovich.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fitch wants to break free but Stalinovich has control.
Stalinovich throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fitchs head.

Jeez, Trevor Fitch's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Stalinovich presses Fitch against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stalinovich lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Fitch is rocked!
Stalinovich lands a nice uppercut.
Oh Fitch is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stalinovich scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stalinovich dips a shoulder and cracks Fitch with a mighty uppercut! Fitch falls back against the cage and Stalinovich unloads with a barrage of strikes! Fitch 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 - Stalinovich screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joseph Stalinovich!
Joseph Stalinovich bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.