PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fernando Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Stroud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stroud has chosen Vallenfyre - Iconoclast as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Velasquez
vs
Stroud

174 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

HITME! Nutrition
HITME! Clothing Line (Chuck Norris Collection)

HITME! Clothing Line (Chuck Norris Collection)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Fernando Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Stroud!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stroud tries to clinch up.
Stroud tries to land a body kick
and Velasquez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stroud thinking.
Stroud throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Velasquez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stroud.
Stroud thows a body shot but no joy.
Velasquez dodges the punch combination from Stroud.
Stroud blocks a head kick by Velasquez.
Velasquez scores with a body shot.
Stroud doesn't manage to clinch there - Velasquez circles away.
Velasquez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Stroud clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Velasquez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stroud fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stroud shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Velasquez sprawls well. Velasquez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stroud gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Velasquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Velasquez throws a nice head kick!
A left and a right from Velasquez both land. Nice combination.
Velasquez lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Velasquez scores with a leg kick.
Velasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Stroud. Stroud gets slowly back to his feet.
Stroud misses with a few strikes there.
Stroud tries to clinch but Velasquez is having none of it.
Velasquez pushes Stroud away with a front kick.
Stroud misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stroud shoots for a takedown but Velasquez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fernando Velasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Stroud.
Stroud takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez cracks the inside of Stroud's front leg.
Stroud tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Velasquez swivels and escapes.

Velasquez gets tackled into the cage by Stroud. Stroud maintains the clinch.
Stroud working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Stroud breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No joy there for Stroud, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stroud throws a head kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Velasquez. Stroud does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fernando Velasquez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stroud is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Stroud moves into the clinch.
Stroud has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Velasquez managing to block the knees to the body from Stroud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stroud's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stroud shoots in for a takedown but Velasquez shows good takedown defense.

Stroud moves into the clinch.
Stroud has had enough of the clinch but Velasquez keeps him there for the moment.
Stroud is trying to break free.
Stroud prevents Velasquez from breaking the clinch.

Velasquez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Velasquez keeps the fight on the outside.

Stroud takes the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Velasquez's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Velasquez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Velasquez moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Stroud throws the left hand but Velasquez avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Velasquez as Stroud shoots in.
Stroud takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Velasquez lands with a nice combination. Stroud backs away looking to recover.
Velasquez misses with a head kick.
Velasquez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Velasquez connects with a right hand. Stroud shakes it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stroud throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Velasquez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stroud shoots in for a takedown but Velasquez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Velasquez lands a head kick!
Velasquez is breathing heavily.
Velasquez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stroud throws a leg kick but Velasquez sees it coming and moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stroud walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stroud is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velasquez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tom Stroud will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stroud changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasquez tries to avoid it but Stroud manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasquez to the ground. Velasquez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Velasquez scores with a kick to the body.
Stroud fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stroud fails with an attempt to clinch.
Velasquez scores with a one two! Stroud had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Velasquez. Stroud does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stroud will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Velasquez keeps the fight on the outside.
Stroud moves in looking to clinch but Velasquez pushes him off.

Stroud drives through and clinches with Velasquez against the cage.
Stroud throws an elbow but it misses.
Velasquez keeps control of Stroud as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Velasquez stops a takedown attempt from Stroud.
Fernando Velasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Stroud.
Stroud can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Stroud pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Velasquez sizes up Stroud with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Velasquez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sloppy strikes from Stroud. Those never looked like landing.
Stroud tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stroud takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Velasquez avoids a kick to the body.
Velasquez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Stroud wants to clinch.
Velasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Velasquez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fernando Velasquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stroud scores with a jab. Velasquez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stroud is looking to clinch but Velasquez is avoiding it.
Velasquez lands with a good body shot.
Stroud is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stroud misses with a hook. Velasquez ducked under it nicely.
Stroud takes a swing at Velasquez's ribcage but misses.

Stroud moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velasquez is looking to break free of the clinch but Stroud has double underhooks.
Velasquez tries to break the clinch but Stroud is controlling the position.
Stroud misses with an elbow strike.
Stroud lands a left hand that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.
Velasquez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A frustrated look appears on Velasquez's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroud prevents Velasquez from breaking the clinch.

Stroud manages to break the clinch.
Velasquez throws a series of punches but Stroud avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Stroud closes the distance and clinches.

Stroud pulls Velasquez into guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Stroud is controlling Velasquez's posture.
Velasquez wants to get up but he can't break Stroud's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stroud is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tom Stroud hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Stroud takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Velasquez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stroud.
Velasquez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Velasquez gets tackled into the cage by Stroud. Stroud maintains the clinch.
A short right from Stroud.
Velasquez is trying to break the clinch but Stroud has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Stroud breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stroud throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez digs a good body shot into Stroud's ribs.
Fernando Velasquez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stroud swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick from Stroud misses.
Velasquez swats away the attempt to clinch by Stroud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Stroud showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Velasquez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stroud.
Stroud takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Velasquez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stroud misses with a hook. Velasquez ducked under it nicely.
Velasquez scores with a shot to the body.

Stroud gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from Stroud on the inside.
Velasquez wants a takedown.
Stroud is trying to push Velasquez away but Velasquez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Velasquez tries to break the clinch but Stroud is controlling the position.
Tom Stroud seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Velasquez is trying to break the clinch but Stroud is controlling him.
Stroud stalling.
Velasquez wants to break free but Stroud has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez has Stroud pressed against the cage, preventing Stroud from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stroud wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stroud as Velasquez tries to tie him up.
Stroud slowing the pace effectively.
Stroud lands a right hand that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.

Stroud jumps guard and drags Velasquez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Stroud wants to sweep here but Velasquez controlling him for the moment.

Stroud scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez thuds a left hand into Stroud's body.
Stroud fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Velasquez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stroud if he has to take too many more of those.
Velasquez scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Velasquez throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stroud's head.
A left and a right from Velasquez both land. Nice combination.
Stroud is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velasquez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stroud misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Some wild striking there from Velasquez.
Stroud wants to clinch up but Velasquez keeps it at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velasquez throws a combination. Stroud tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stroud.
Stroud changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasquez tries to avoid it but Stroud manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasquez to the ground. Velasquez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fernando Velasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Stroud.
Velasquez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stroud moves out of range as Velasquez throws a body kick.
Velasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.

Stroud closes the distance and clinches.
Stroud is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Velasquez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stroud has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Velasquez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stroud missing with knees to the body.
Stroud tries to circle away but Velasquez has him pinned against the cage.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but Stroud holds him up against the cage and eventually Velasquez drops back down to his feet.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stroud drives through and clinches with Velasquez against the cage.

Stroud breaks from the clinch.
Stroud fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stroud shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Velasquez pinned against the cage. Velasquez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Stroud forces Velasquez back against the cage and clinches.
Velasquez wants to get back to striking at distance but Stroud won't allow it.
Stroud keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Velasquez's efforts to push away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez is trying to break the clinch but Stroud has him pressed against the cage.
Fernando Velasquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tom Stroud is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A hook to the body from Stroud.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Stroud comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stroud 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Stroud!