PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Stubb (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francis Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stubb comes to the cage accompanied by Paper Scratcher. Michael Stubb looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Stubb
vs
Fernandez

195 cm
34
203 lbs
17 - 23 - 0

185 cm
32
205 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 17 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Stubb!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Francis Fernandez!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernandez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fernandez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fernandez wants it to stay on the feet.

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

Stubb is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fernandez is aware though and is defending well.
Fernandez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Stubb tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fernandez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Fernandez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Stubb prevents Fernandez from improving position.
Fernandez scoring with punches and elbows.

Fernandez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Stubb knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stubb tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stubb is not content to let Fernandez control the position.
Check out the look on Fernandez's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Stubb parries the strikes from Fernandez easily there. Fernandez is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Stubb to escape.
Fernandez is staying tight to Stubb's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Stubb taking a bit of punishment here - Fernandez scoring with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernandez works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Fernandez trying to control the action but Stubb is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stubb sneaks back into half guard.
Fernandez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fernandez works his way into full mount!
Fernandez connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernandez scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fernandez scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fernandez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Fernandez is trying to control here but Stubb has managed to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez is looking to take a break and control but Stubb is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Well, if Fernandez 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 walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fernandez lands a nice short elbow.
Fernandez not doing much here.

Stubb looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fernandez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Fernandez working over Stubb with some ground and pound. Stubb looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez slips a nice elbow through Stubb's hands, connecting with Stubb's forehead.
Fernandez wants to take a breather but Stubb is having none of it.
Stubb wants to get back to full guard.
Fernandez tries to stand but can't do so whilst Stubb controls his leg.
Fernandez wants to control but Stubb is keeping him busy.
Fernandez is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Fernandez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Fernandez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Francis Fernandez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Fernandez lands a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernandez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Stubb manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stubb.

Stubb tries to keep at a distance but Fernandez has taken the fight into the clinch.

Fernandez tightens his grip and picks Stubb up, before dumping him to the ground. Stubb manages to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Fernandez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stubb tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fernandez throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Stubb defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fernandez.
Fernandez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fernandez bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Stubb is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fernandez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Fernandez closes the distance and clinches.

Fernandez drags the fight down to the ground.
Fernandez scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Fernandez is trying to keep Stubb in close.
Fernandez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Stubb kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fernandez is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Francis Fernandez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fernandez throws a push kick but Stubb slaps the foot to one side.
Fernandez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stubb.
Fernandez wants to clinch.
A head kick misses from Fernandez.
Francis Fernandez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Fernandez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stubb has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Stubb. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stubb manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fernandez on his heels. He'll look to pass Fernandez's guard now, I'm sure.

Fernandez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fernandez pulls Stubb in close to his closed guard and prevents Stubb from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez is trying to keep Stubb in close.

Stubb avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Stubb got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fernandez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stubb has managed to get both his arms back between Fernandez's legs - danger averted.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stubb trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fernandez trying to keep a closed guard but Stubb is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stubb prevents Fernandez from getting back to his feet.
Stubb passes Fernandez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Francis Fernandez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fernandez is controlling Stubb's trapped leg to prevent Stubb from advancing to side control.

Stubb is working for a submission of some sort.
Stubb wants to control but Fernandez is keeping him busy.

Fernandez looking for submissions off his back.
Fernandez trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stubb is looking for a kimura but Fernandez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stubb to get the leverage.
Fernandez is looking for a sweep. Stubb is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stubb trying to control from Fernandez's half guard. Fernandez has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Fernandez is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Stubb is working for takedown but Fernandez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Fernandez tries to score a body lock takedown but Stubb shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandez slows down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Fernandez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Fernandez misses with a series of wild punches.
Michael Stubb is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stubb tries a head kick but it misses.
Stubb avoids a kick to the body.

Fernandez has managed to clinch.

Stubb gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Fernandez wants to control but Stubb passes easily into half guard.
Fernandez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Fernandez 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fernandez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez keeping moving, preventing Stubb from controlling successfully.
Stubb pushes down on Fernandez's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Fernandez pushes Stubb off and gets back to his feet.
Fernandez tries a head kick but it misses.
Stubb keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fernandez.
Fernandez misses with a head kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fernandez.
Fernandez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fernandez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stubb swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stubb looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fernandez is fending him off so far but Stubb persists. Nope, Fernandez circles away and we're back to standing.
Fernandez cracks a nice hook into Stubb's ribs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fernandez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stubb fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fernandez sprawls well initially but Stubb persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Stubb is thwarting Fernandez's attempts to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fernandez controlling the position well.
Fernandez tries to kick Stubb off but Stubb keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fernandez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fernandez trying to hold on to Stubb's head to control him but Stubb postures up.
Fernandez looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Francis Fernandez hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fernandez closes the distance but Stubb moves to the side

and Stubb counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fernandez won't be happy with that.
Fernandez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Fernandez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Stubb trying to control from half guard but Fernandez is working away.
Fernandez is controlling Stubb's trapped leg to prevent Stubb from advancing to side control.
Michael Stubb has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fernandez trying to control from the bottom.
Fernandez controlling the position well.
Fernandez wants to control but Stubb is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Francis Fernandez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fernandez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Fernandez has Stubb up against the cage in a clinch.
Stubb tries for a takedown but Fernandez manages to get underhooks.
Stubb is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Stubb. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandez swings wildly with an uppercut but Stubb uses good head movement to avoid it.

Fernandez pulls guard.

Fernandez is looking for a triangle but Stubb pushes his legs off easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandez 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.
Francis Fernandez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fernandez looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francis Fernandez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fernandez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francis Fernandez!