PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vasil Stefanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Partridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Adam Partridge told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Stefanov
vs
Partridge

190 cm
18
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vasil Stefanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Adam Partridge!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Partridge looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No luck for Stefanov with that takedown attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Partridge misses the target.
Stefanov closes the distance and clinches up with Partridge, looking for a takedown. Stefanov pushes Partridge against the cage but Partridge circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Partridge keeps the fight on the outside.
Partridge gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stefanov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Partridge!
Partridge flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Stefanov controlling the position easily from mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Partridge can do anything to dispel that myth.
Partridge tries to hold on but Stefanov pushes him away.
Partridge looks gassed!
Partridge swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Stefanov controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partridge tries to hold on but Stefanov postures up.
Partridge is working to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stefanov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stefanov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Partridge for as long as he can get away with.
Stefanov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Partridge tries to lock up and control but Stefanov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Stefanov controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Vasil Stefanov just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Partridge shoots and misses

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Stefanov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stefanov.
Vasil Stefanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Partridge.
Stefanov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Stefanov won't allow Partridge to sweep him here.
Stefanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Partridge tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stefanov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Partridge will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasil Stefanov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Partridge tries to clinch but Stefanov is having none of it.
Partridge tries for a takedown but Stefanov circles away easily

and Stefanov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stefanov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Partridge wants to improve his position but Stefanov is controlling well.
Stefanov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Stefanov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Vasil Stefanov just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Partridge with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stefanov counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice takedown defense from Partridge. No joy for Stefanov on that attempt.
A punch combination from Stefanov misses.
Stefanov has a takedown stuffed.
Partridge misses with a takedown attempt

and Stefanov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Vasil Stefanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Partridge.

Stefanov gets to his feet - Partridge follows without any prompting.
Partridge shoots in for a takedown but Stefanov shows good takedown defense.
Stefanov slips a jab and a cross from Partridge.

Partridge looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Partridge looking to sit in guard and control but Stefanov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Stefanov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Partridge looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stefanov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Partridge doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Partridge wants to sweep here but Stefanov controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Vasil Stefanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Partridge looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Partridge gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stefanov counters with a head kick. That will keep Partridge thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Partridge gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stefanov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Partridge!
Stefanov blocks Partridge's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Partridge flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Stefanov controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Partridge throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Partridge's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Partridge swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Partridge throwing hammer fists to the chest of Stefanov. What's that going to do exactly?
Stefanov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stefanov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Partridge is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasil Stefanov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Partridge misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Partridge misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Partridge takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stefanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Partridge's waist but Partridge gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stefanov off to one side.
Stefanov shoots for a takedown but Partridge saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Partridge looks for a takedown but Stefanov sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Stefanov as Partridge shoots in.
Stefanov loads up on a big right hand but Partridge slips the punch.
Partridge will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Partridge tries for a takedown but Stefanov circles away easily
and Stefanov counters with a head kick. That will keep Partridge thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Vasil Stefanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Partridge.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partridge shoots and misses

and Stefanov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Partridge tries to get to full guard but Stefanov has control of the leg.
Stefanov is thwarting Partridge's attempts to control the position.
Stefanov wants to free his trapped foot but Partridge is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Partridge is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Partridge missing with punches from the bottom.
Partridge misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stefanov avoids a punch combination nicely.

Stefanov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Stefanov wants to pass the guard but Partridge is defending well.
Stefanov blocks the strikes from Partridge.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Partridge is pressing down on Stefanov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stefanov wants to control from the top but Partridge keeps moving.
Stefanov postures up.
Stefanov 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.
Adam Partridge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Partridge not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Partridge thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stefanov 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.

Stefanov stands up and waves to Partridge to follow him.
Partridge shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stefanov counters with a head kick. That will keep Partridge thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Stefanov lands a high kick!
Partridge moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Partridge shoots for a takedown but Stefanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Partridge tries to bum rush Stefanov with a series of wild strikes but Stefanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Partridge tries to clinch but Stefanov is having none of it.
Vasil Stefanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Partridge misses with a combination
and Stefanov counters with a head kick. That will keep Partridge thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasil Stefanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stefanov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasil Stefanov!