PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Remedios Verzosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Stack (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David Stack is staring across the ring at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Verzosa
vs
Stack

185 cm
20
190 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
195 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Battalion Athletics

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Remedios Verzosa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, David Stack!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stack misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Verzosa.
Stack scores with a three punch combo!
A telegraphed right hand from Stack misses the target.
Stack listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Stack lands a lovely overhand right.
Stack looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stack takes a swing at Verzosa's ribcage but misses.
Nice shot by Stack.
Verzosa jabs at Stack's body.
Stack takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stack moves away from the strike by Verzosa.
Verzosa dodges the punch combination from Stack.
Stack connects with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Stack misses the target.
Verzosa tries to move into range but Stack moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Verzosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Verzosa feints and as Stack raises his hands in defense, Verzosa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Verzosa throwing strikes from guard but Stack blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa throws and elbow that misses. Stack uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Verzosa's guard. Nice move by Stack!

Stack got a little sloppy there for a moment and Verzosa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stack has managed to get both his arms back between Verzosa's legs - danger averted.
Verzosa has a closed guard, preventing Stack from standing up.

Verzosa throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stack escapes and throws Verzosa's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Stack tries to stand but Verzosa is controlling his head.

Stack decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stack throws a right hand that Verzosa ducks under and follows up with a left that Verzosa also avoids with ease.
Verzosa lands with a straight right. Stack didn't see that one coming.
David Stack is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stack throws a right and a left that Verzosa avoids nicely.
Stack swinging wildly here.
Verzosa throws a body punch but Stack moves out of range.
Stack scores with a hook to the body. Verzosa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Verzosa throws a shot to the body.
Stack defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Verzosa.
Stack throws a right hand that Verzosa ducks under and follows up with a left that Verzosa also avoids with ease.
Stack misses with a two punch combination.
Stack just misses with a punch to the body.

Verzosa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stack did well to prevent Verzosa getting side control.

Verzosa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Verzosa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stack is trying to stand back up but Verzosa is controlling him
Stack is staying active underneath Verzosa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Verzosa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stack tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Verzosa manages to move to mount!
Stack wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Verzosa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stack really wants to buck Verzosa off and get back to his feet.
Stack wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Verzosa.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Verzosa landing strikes from the mount.
Stack takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Verzosa goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Stack is on top in guard.

Verzosa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stack doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stack manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Stack dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stack missing with a left hand there. Verzosa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stack swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Verzosa avoids the body shot from Stack.
Verzosa thows a body shot but no joy.
David Stack is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Verzosa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stack.
Stack fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
David Stack seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Verzosa defending well as Stack loads up on a big left hand.
Stack throws a series of punches but Verzosa moves out of range.
Verzosa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stack.
Verzosa is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stack throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Verzosa.
Verzosa takes a swing at Stack's ribcage but misses.
Stack just misses with a punch to the body.
Stack on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stack will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Stack.
Verzosa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Verzosa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Stack throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Stack misses.
Verzosa misses with a hook to the body
and Stack counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stack swinging wildly here.
Verzosa lands with a right hand.
Verzosa throws a sloppy body shot
and Stack counters with a three punch combo that has Verzosa backing up. Verzosa nods at Stack to acknowledge the strikes.
Verzosa is looking to wear down Stack with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Jab by Stack.
Verzosa misses with a body shot
and Stack counters with a nice uppercut.
Donk. Stack catches Verzosa right on the button with a cross.

Verzosa changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stack looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa trying to control the position but Stack is working away.
Verzosa is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Stack's shoulder. That is not cool.
Verzosa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Stack sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Verzosa working the head and body with strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Verzosa working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Verzosa throws a strike aimed at the side of Stack's head but Stack avoids it well.
Verzosa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Stack sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Verzosa working the strikes but Stack uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa working over Stack with some ground and pound. Stack looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Verzosa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Verzosa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Verzosa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Verzosa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stack doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Verzosa.
Stack wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Verzosa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stack thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Stack 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.

Verzosa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Verzosa changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stack looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Stack is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
An elbow from Verzosa crashes against the mat.
Verzosa misses with the ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Verzosa sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Stack is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Verzosa with the ground and pound but Stack regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Verzosa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Verzosa is looking to stall here but Stack recovers full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa won't allow Stack to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stack takes one to the side of the head.
Stack scores with the left hand. Verzosa knows he should have avoided that one.
Stack lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Verzosa circles away quickly and effectively.
Stack will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Verzosa looks to score with a jab to the body but Stack is just out of range.
Stack swinging wildly here.
Stack throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Verzosa counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Verzosa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stack swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Verzosa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stack takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stack misses with a double jab
and Verzosa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Verzosa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stack misses with a looping left.

Verzosa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Verzosa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stack preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Verzosa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Verzosa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Verzosa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stack keeping moving, preventing Verzosa from controlling successfully.
Verzosa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Verzosa looking to pass the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Verzosa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stack.
Verzosa blocks a jab.
Stack throws a nice looking combination but Verzosa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Verzosa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stack's waist but Stack gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Verzosa off to one side.

Verzosa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Verzosa trying to pass the guard but Stack defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stack avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Verzosa.
Remedios Verzosa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Verzosa is looking to stall here but Stack recovers full guard.
Verzosa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stack works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Verzosa stops Stack from standing up.
Verzosa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Remedios Verzosa clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Verzosa with a nice cross.
Verzosa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Verzosa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Verzosa looks to score with a jab to the body but Stack is just out of range.
A jab from Verzosa does it's job there.
Stack cracks Verzosa with a good jab.
Verzosa moves out of range as Stack strikes.
Verzosa connects with a crisp jab.
David Stack seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slow jab from Stack misses its intended target.
Stack throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stack connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A punch combination from Stack misses.
A left lands for Verzosa.
Stack throws a series of strikes that have Verzosa backpedaling.
Verzosa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Verzosa lands a nice looking body shot.
Stack misses with an uppercut. Verzosa saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stack has time to react.
Stack throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stack is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Stack throws a combination that misses

and Verzosa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stack's guard.
Stack wants to get back to his feet but Verzosa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Verzosa looking to pass the guard.
Verzosa controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa stands and throws Stack's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Verzosa wants to take a breather but Stack manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Verzosa.
Verzosa throws and elbow that misses. Stack uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Verzosa's guard. Nice move by Stack!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stack stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Verzosa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stack tries to avoid it but Verzosa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stack to the ground. Stack escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stack moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Verzosa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Verzosa is landing with some decent strikes but Stack is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Verzosa sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Verzosa thowing shots but they're missing.
Stack is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa unloads with some shots from mount but Stack bucks and avoids them well.
Verzosa throwing strikes here but Stack is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Verzosa won't let Stack get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Verzosa thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Verzosa content just to control the position here.
Verzosa throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Remedios Verzosa had his way with David Stack in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Verzosa digs a good body shot into Stack's ribs.
Stack misses with a body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Verzosa.
Verzosa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Verzosa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A shot to the body from Stack misses
and Verzosa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stack avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Verzosa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stack but Stack pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stack misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stack pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Verzosa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stack lands a head shot.
Verzosa misses with a body shot.
Verzosa slips a straight right by Stack.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Verzosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stack moves away.
Verzosa misses with a body shot.
Verzosa throws a jab when Stack was well out of range.
Stack lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Verzosa circles away quickly and effectively.
Verzosa throws a jab but it's blocked by Stack.
Stack keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stack dips to his left and cracks Verzosa with an uppercut!
Verzosa shoots in and drives through. Stack sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Remedios Verzosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters circling - Stack throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Verzosa thows a body shot but no joy.
Stack swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Verzosa counters with a nice uppercut.
Stack scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Verzosa blocks a jab.
Stack misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stack is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Verzosa misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Verzosa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Verzosa wants to control from the top but Stack keeps moving.
Stack wants to stand and escape but Verzosa is having none of it.
Stack can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Verzosa controls the pace.
Verzosa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa looking to sit in guard and control but Stack gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stack stands and steps away. Verzosa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Verzosa misses with a wild body shot.
Stack comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa has a takedown stuffed.
Verzosa ducks right into an uppercut from Stack.
Stack bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Verzosa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Verzosa misses with a wild body shot.
Stack misses with a combination

and Verzosa counters with a shoot takedown. Stack fights it but they end up in guard.
Verzosa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stack is keeping the position for now.
Verzosa trying to control but Stack is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to David Stack.
I think Stack has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Stack!
David Stack is the new middleweight champion!