PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Igor Stalin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Saurio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Stalin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stalin
vs
Saurio

185 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Stalin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seppo Saurio!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stalin closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Saurio looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Saurio trying to remain calm as Stalin controls from the top position.
Saurio tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Stalin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Stalin remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Stalin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saurio is looking to reverse the position.
Stalin remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Stalin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Saurio is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Saurio is trying to get back to half guard.
Stalin landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saurio takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Stalin controlling the position from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saurio is looking to reverse the position.

Stalin decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Saurio misses with a wild body shot.
Saurio just misses with a punch to the body.

Stalin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Saurio throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stalin escapes and throws Saurio's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Saurio tries to buck Stalin off but Stalin is having none of it.
Stalin landing a few strikes.
Stalin taking a breather here.
Stalin scoring with punches from side control.
Stalin controlling the position.
Stalin scoring with punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalin landing a few strikes.
Stalin cracks Saurio with a big right hand but Saurio just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Saurio tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stalin in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stalin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Saurio.
Saurio takes a swing at Stalin's ribcage but misses.
Seppo Saurio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stalin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stalin lands in his opponent's guard.
Saurio tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Saurio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stalin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Saurio wants to stand and escape but Stalin is having none of it.

Saurio keeping busy on the bottom but Stalin has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
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. Stalin connects with a nice short shot to Saurio's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Stalin prevents Saurio from improving his position.
Stalin wants to pass the guard but Saurio is defending well.
Stalin lands with a punch from half guard.
Stalin is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Stalin content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saurio taking shots to the head.
Stalin controlling from the full mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Stalin cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Stalin working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Saurio working to try and regain half guard.
Saurio in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Stalin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saurio on the ground.
Stalin in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
BOOM! Stalin connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Stalin prevents Saurio from getting the reversal.
Stalin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stalin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Saurio for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Saurio gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stalin stays in close to Saurio's body and controls the position.
Stalin wants to pass the guard but Saurio is keeping the position.
Stalin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Saurio is looking for a triangle but Stalin pushes his legs off easily.
Stalin landing some decent shots from guard.

Stalin stands up from Saurio's guard - Stalin perhaps looking for a knockout.

Stalin 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Saurio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saurio keeping full guard, as Stalin tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stalin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Stalin landing some decent shots from guard.

Saurio has his foot on Stalin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stalin works his way back into a safe position though.
Stalin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stalin stands and throws Saurio's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stalin scoring with punches from side control.
Stalin taking a breather here.
Saurio tries to bench press Stalin off him but Stalin keeps the position.
Saurio trying to remain calm as Stalin controls from the top position.
Check out the look on Stalin's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Igor Stalin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saurio is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stalin's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stalin perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Saurio is trying to get back to full guard.
Saurio is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Stalin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stalin seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Stalin stops Saurio from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Saurio fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Stalin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saurio actively working from the bottom here.

Stalin seems to be looking for submissions.
Saurio is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stalin works his way into side control.
Stalin controls the position.
Saurio gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Saurio is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Stalin.
Stalin controlling the pace for now.
Stalin with good strikes from the mount here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalin controlling the pace for now.
Stalin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Saurio bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Saurio stopping the sweep attempt from Stalin.
Stalin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saurio postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Stalin dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Stalin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Saurio looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Stalin lands a decent elbow from side control.
Saurio on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Stalin working the ground and pound.
Saurio stops Stalin from passing to mount.
Stalin controls the position from side control.
Saurio on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Stalin is staying tight to Saurio's torso, preventing him from escaping.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Igor Stalin just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Stalin gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stalin landing a few strikes.
Saurio pushes Stalin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Stalin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Saurio takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Stalin in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saurio manages to work his way to half guard, despite Stalin's best efforts.

Saurio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stalin is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Stalin is looking for a kimura but Saurio is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stalin to get the leverage.
Stalin not doing much here.
Stalin works his foot free and advances to mount.
Stalin scoring with strikes but Saurio is staying in there.
Stalin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saurio is trying desperately to improve position.
Stalin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Saurio working to try and regain half guard.
Stalin scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Saurio?
Stalin controlling the pace for now.
Stalin punishing his opponent with strikes.
Stalin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Stalin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Saurio gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stalin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Saurio is just riding it out for now. Stalin eventually gives up the hold.
Stalin is controlling the pace.
Saurio wants to get back to full guard.
Well, if Stalin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Igor Stalin just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Stalin feints and as Saurio raises his hands in defense, Stalin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stalin with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stalin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stalin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stalin wants to control from the top but Saurio keeps moving.

Stalin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Saurio looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stalin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Saurio has his foot on Stalin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stalin works his way back into a safe position though.
Stalin working some strikes from top position.
Seppo Saurio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stalin cracks Saurio with a solid left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Stalin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stalin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Stalin!