PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pierre Flora (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kendrick Stagliano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Flora
vs
Stagliano

174 cm
19
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 1

173 cm
19
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Pierre Flora!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Kendrick Stagliano!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flora displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Kendrick Stagliano has been cut.
Flora pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Flora is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stagliano.
Flora defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stagliano.
Stagliano avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stagliano shoots for a double leg takedown but Flora sprawls well. He's pushed Stagliano's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Flora keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Flora checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Stagliano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Flora throws a head kick but Stagliano moves out of range.
Flora lands a glancing blow to the side of Stagliano's head.

Stagliano drives through with a takedown into guard.
Flora preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stagliano working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Flora has a closed guard, preventing Stagliano from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stagliano in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stagliano trying to stand up but can't free himself from Flora's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flora wants to get back to his feet but Stagliano is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Stagliano stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Flora misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stagliano looks to land a right hand but Flora moved out of range.

Stagliano clinches with his opponent.

Stagliano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Flora rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stagliano moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Flora misses with a jab, cross combination.

Stagliano closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Stagliano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stagliano fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Flora to the ground. Stagliano is now in Flora's guard.
Stagliano thows a big elbow that misses.

Stagliano stands up and waves to Flora to follow him.
Flora throws a head kick but Stagliano moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flora blocks a head kick by Stagliano.
Stagliano works over Flora's head and body with a nice combination.
Flora misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stagliano fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Flora manages to avoid it.
Flora pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Flora missing with a left hand there. Stagliano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stagliano misses with a body kick.
Stagliano throws a right and a left that both miss.
Flora throws a head kick but Stagliano moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Flora.
Flora lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Stagliano fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pierre Flora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.
Flora stuffs the takedown.
Flora misses with a body shot.
Flora swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stagliano counters with a one-two to the body.
A left and a right from Stagliano both land. Nice combination.

Stagliano pushes Flora up against the cage in a clinch.
Stagliano tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Flora's elbow.
Flora prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stagliano fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A short right from Stagliano on the inside.

Stagliano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Stagliano with that takedown attempt.
Flora misses with the combination.
Stagliano fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Flora avoids it really well and circles away.
Flora lands a two punch combo.
Flora just misses with a punch to the body.
Stagliano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Flora as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Stagliano.
Flora scores with a three punch combo!
Flora will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stagliano lands with a shot to the body.

Stagliano clinches up against the cage.
Flora is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stagliano gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stagliano is looking to break free of the clinch but Flora has double underhooks.
Stagliano tries to pull guard but Flora won't allow it.
Stagliano fails to pull guard.

Stagliano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Flora swinging wildly here.
Pierre Flora is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Flora throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stagliano misses with a hook
and Flora counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Flora misses with a wild combination.

Stagliano clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pierre Flora will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kendrick Stagliano'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.

Stagliano drives through and clinches with Flora against the cage.
Flora with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stagliano jumps guard but Flora stands there with Stagliano around his waist. Stagliano gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stagliano has had enough of the clinch but Flora keeps him there for the moment.

Stagliano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stagliano bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Flora is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Stagliano is controlling him well.

Flora sneaks out the side door and pushes Stagliano away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Stagliano lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Flora throws a sloppy head kick and Stagliano moves out of range easily.
Stagliano throws a jab when Flora was well out of range.
Stagliano closes this distance looking for a takedown but Flora circles away.
Flora throws a head kick that misses.
Flora tries a head kick but it misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stagliano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stagliano will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Flora rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stagliano moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Flora gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stagliano.
Stagliano works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Stagliano bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Flora's head backwards.

Stagliano closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Flora quickly recovers to half guard.
Flora looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Flora blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stagliano.
Stagliano thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stagliano trying to control from Flora's half guard. Flora has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Stagliano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Flora avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano throwing strikes but missing.
Stagliano throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stagliano in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Stagliano stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Stagliano takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Stagliano scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stagliano missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stagliano is pressing down on Flora's thigh, looking to free his foot. Flora is holding on for now.
Stagliano wants to take a breather but Flora is having none of it.
Flora is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stagliano scores with a couple of nice shots.
Stagliano is looking to advance position but Flora won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flora taking some punishment here, with Stagliano in his half guard.
Flora wants to get back to his feet.
Stagliano sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Flora defending well though.
Stagliano stops Flora from getting back to his feet.
Stagliano is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
It looks like Stagliano is going to stand back up.
Stagliano throwing shots but Flora is blocking nicely.
Stagliano thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Flora to regain full guard.

Flora manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Stagliano misses with a body shot.

Stagliano closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flora tries to pull guard but Stagliano holds him up against the cage and eventually Flora drops back down to his feet.

Stagliano manages to break the clinch.
Stagliano scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Stagliano throws a right and a left that both miss.
Flora misses with a few strikes there.
Stagliano connects with a body shot.
Stagliano tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Flora swivels and escapes.
Pierre Flora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.
Flora throws a head kick but Stagliano moves out of range.
Stagliano misses with a head kick.

Stagliano rushes Flora and presses him up against the cage.

Stagliano breaks from the clinch.
Flora takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Stagliano drives through and clinches with Flora against the cage.
Stagliano has Flora pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Flora manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Flora wants to break free but Stagliano has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendrick Stagliano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kendrick Stagliano's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Flora misses with a series of wild punches.

Stagliano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stagliano is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Stagliano looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Stagliano has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Flora is trying to keep an underhook but Stagliano manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Flora avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stagliano.
Stagliano not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Flora wants to get back to his feet.
Stagliano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Flora's head.
Flora is looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stagliano wants to pass to mount but Flora is defending the position.
Stagliano not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stagliano tries to pass to full mount but Flora defends it.
Stagliano tries to stand and escape but Flora is controlling the position.
Stagliano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Flora has one foot on Stagliano's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Stagliano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Flora as he avoids it easily.
Pierre Flora is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Flora throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stagliano avoids the head kick by Flora.
Stagliano stalks Flora and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Flora's face. Flora staggers backwards, shaken.
Stagliano throws a combination that misses
and Flora counters with a one-two to the body.

Stagliano has closed the distance and engaged Flora in a clinch.
Stagliano has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Flora avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Flora tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stagliano just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stagliano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stagliano fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Flora sprawls well initially but Stagliano persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Stagliano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stagliano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Flora's head.
Stagliano lands with a punch from half guard.
Stagliano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Flora's head.
Flora blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stagliano.
Flora pushes Stagliano off looking to stand but Stagliano dives back in and keeps control.
Kendrick Stagliano has got the better of the ground game so far.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stagliano connects with a nice short shot to Flora's temple.
Stagliano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Flora avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stagliano.
Stagliano throwing shots but Flora is blocking nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stagliano lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flora keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Stagliano stands up and beckons Flora to join him on the feet.
Stagliano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Flora but Flora pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pierre Flora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.

Stagliano shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Stagliano was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Stagliano throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Stagliano throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Flora because Stagliano loaded up on that one.
Stagliano misses with a head shot.
Flora is trying to stand up.
Stagliano looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Stagliano tries to control but Flora wriggling away.
Stagliano pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Stagliano raining down shots from the mount!
Flora blocking the ground and pound.
Stagliano working Flora over with strikes here.
Poor strikes thrown by Stagliano there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Flora is in a horrible position here. Stagliano smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Stagliano is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Stagliano sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Stagliano throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendrick Stagliano really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kendrick Stagliano's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stagliano throws a series of punches but Flora moves out of range.
Flora misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stagliano. Flora does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pierre Flora is winning the standup battle so far.
Stagliano lands a slapping body shot.
Flora throws a combination that misses
and Stagliano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Stagliano clinches up against the cage.
Flora fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Stagliano breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Flora as Stagliano shoots in.
Flora throws a right and a left that Stagliano avoids nicely.
Flora throws a combination that misses

so Stagliano counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Stagliano wants to control from the top but Flora keeps moving.
Stagliano throwing strikes but missing.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Stagliano is looking to work some ground and pound but Flora has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stagliano stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flora swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stagliano lands a couple of digs.

Stagliano stands and steps away. Flora gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Flora misses with a double jab.

Stagliano closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Flora is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Stagliano has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Stagliano lands an elbow.
Stagliano working the head with strikes.
Flora on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Stagliano throws an elbow but Flora slips to the side and avoids it well.

Stagliano tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ground and pound from Stagliano seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Stagliano is putting a hurting on Flora here, landing some big shots from side control.
Stagliano lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Flora down.
An elbow from Stagliano crashes against the mat.
Stagliano looking to control but instead Flora has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Stagliano is looking to advance position but Flora won't allow it.
Stagliano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Flora. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Flora is trying to stand.
Stagliano sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Flora defending well though.
Flora keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stagliano lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Flora manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Stagliano's jab looks to have found its range, popping Flora under the eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Stagliano clinches up with Flora and pushes him back against the cage.

Stagliano breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stagliano pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stagliano shoots for a takedown but Flora saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A jab lands there for Stagliano.

Stagliano feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stagliano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Flora is looking to stand up but Stagliano isn't so interested in that idea.
Stagliano makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Stagliano gets to his feet - Flora follows without any prompting.
Flora misses with a head kick.
Flora takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stagliano is defended easily by Flora.
Pierre Flora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.
Flora stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Flora wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendrick Stagliano dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Kendrick Stagliano's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Stagliano connects with a body shot.
Flora throws a head kick but Stagliano moves out of range.
Stagliano lands a two punch combo.
Flora throws a nice looking combination but Stagliano bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice combination there by Flora.
Nice sprawl there from Flora as Stagliano shoots in.
Flora misses with a head kick.
Flora moves out of range of the strikes.
Flora moves away from the strike by Stagliano.
Flora tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Flora falls off balance throwing a combination
and Flora takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stagliano paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Stagliano gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Flora jumps guard but Stagliano stands there with Flora around his waist. Flora gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Flora has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stagliano is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stagliano manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Stagliano pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stagliano has a takedown stuffed.
Flora avoids the head kick by Stagliano.
Flora lands a nice looking body shot.
Flora tries a head kick but it misses.
Flora throws a head kick but Stagliano moves out of range.
Stagliano blocks a head kick by Flora.
A cross from Stagliano lands.
Flora showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stagliano.
Stagliano lands with a cross.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stagliano.
Pierre Flora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flora falls off balance throwing a combination

and Stagliano counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Stagliano pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stagliano instigates a clinch.

Stagliano manages to break the clinch.
Flora keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stagliano shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Flora counters with a nice uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from Flora. Those never looked like landing.

Stagliano moves into the clinch.
Stagliano is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Flora pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Flora looking for a takedown.
Stagliano fails to pull guard.
Flora has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stagliano avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Stagliano drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flora is looking to stand up but Stagliano won't let him.
Stagliano is pulling down on Flora's head. It's preventing any offense from Flora, at least for the moment.
Kendrick Stagliano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stagliano 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.
Flora has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stagliano is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stagliano 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Stagliano shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Flora napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Flora on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Stagliano trying to control the action but Flora is working from the bottom.
Flora is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Stagliano is controlling him well.
Pierre Flora has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
You can see the frustration on Flora's face as Stagliano controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kendrick Stagliano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stagliano 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 46:49
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kendrick Stagliano!