PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Red Belt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruno Stahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belt comes to the cage accompanied by Dance of the Knights. Red Belt is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Belt
vs
Stahl

187 cm
30
225 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

188 cm
31
215 lbs
9 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Red Belt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Bruno Stahl!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belt misses with a few strikes there.
Belt misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Stahl to counter with a crisp jab.
Stahl looks to score with a jab to the body but Belt is just out of range.
Belt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stahl swivels and escapes.
Stahl is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Belt with a body shot.
Red Belt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stahl defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Belt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Red Belt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stahl is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Stahl gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Belt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stahl is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Belt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stahl managing to control the position.
Belt has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Belt drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stahl manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Belt has Stahl in his guard.

Belt 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stahl slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stahl throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Belt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stahl pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Belt is keeping the position for now.

Stahl avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stahl told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stahl wants to pass the guard but Belt is keeping the position.
Stahl being controlled here momentarily.
Belt wants to sweep here but Stahl controlling him for the moment.

Belt is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stahl is aware though and is defending well.
Stahl trying to control but Belt is working from the bottom.
Stahl really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Belt. 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.
Belt controlling Stahl's posture.
Belt looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stahl throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Belt shoots for a double leg takedown but Stahl sprawls well. He's pushed Belt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stahl stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stahl wants it to stay on the feet.
A little jabbing left from Stahl on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Belt throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stahl counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stahl throws a jab but it's blocked by Belt.
Belt has a takedown stuffed.
Stahl stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stahl goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Red Belt has been cut.
Stahl scores with a hook to the body. Belt takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Stahl throws the left hand but Belt avoids the punch easily.
Stahl leaves Belt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stahl! But no joy.

Stahl drops Belt with a beautiful combination! Belt stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Stahl is looking for the KO!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belt drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Belt is rocked!
Bruno Stahl is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stahl lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Oh Belt is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Belt misses with a takedown attempt - Stahl sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belt seems to have got his legs back now.
Stahl looks to score with a jab to the body but Belt is just out of range.
Stahl tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Belt was well out of range. Poor timing from Stahl.
Belt takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Stahl dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Red Belt's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stahl fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Belt shoots in and drives through. Stahl sprawls well.
A little jabbing left from Stahl on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Belt wants to clinch up but Stahl keeps it at a distance.
Belt defending well as Stahl loads up on a big left hand.
Belt misses with a takedown
and Stahl counters with a nice body shot.
Belt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stahl's waist but Stahl gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Belt off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Red Belt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stahl tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Belt was well out of range. Poor timing from Stahl.
Belt shoots in looking for a takedown. Stahl tries to sprawl out of it but Belt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stahl manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Stahl.
Belt tries to counter with a takedown but Stahl is quick to defend against it.
Belt with a poor takedown
and Stahl connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stahl has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stahl misses the shot to the body.
Bruno Stahl seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stahl works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Stahl. No joy for Belt on that attempt.
Belt gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stahl counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stahl lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Belt backs up against the cage.

Belt shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stahl's guard.
Belt preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belt chips away with some ground and pound.
Belt looking to pass the guard.
Stahl looking to control.
Stahl trying to control the position here.
Stahl 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stahl keeps trying to improve his position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stahl is on top in guard.

Belt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stahl defends well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stahl is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belt can't keep his opponent in guard - Stahl advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stahl seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Belt does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Belt makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Belt.
Stahl is stalling in the full guard.

Belt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stahl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Belt pulls Stahl in close to prevent any damage.

Belt escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stahl gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Belt has Stahl pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Red Belt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belt fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Stahl showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Red Belt's cut.
That's time! Belt's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Stahl misses with a body shot.
Belt misses with a takedown attempt
and Stahl counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stahl scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Belt is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stahl sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belt misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Red Belt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stahl defends it nicely.
Belt moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belt looks for a takedown but Stahl sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belt tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stahl defends well and Belt ends up having to push Stahl into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stahl appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Stahl lands with an overhand left.
Stahl throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stahl throws a looping overhand right but Belt ducks down to avoid it.

Belt darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Stahl is looking to improve his position.
Stahl gets back to full guard.
Belt is pushing down on Stahl's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stahl is fighting to maintain full guard but Belt has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belt throwing shots but Stahl is blocking nicely.
Stahl wants to get back to full guard.
Stahl wants to control but Belt is keeping busy.
Red Belt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Belt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belt controlling the action here.

Belt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stahl is just riding it out for now. Belt eventually gives up the hold.

Belt is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belt is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Belt with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Stahl is desperately trying to improve his position but Belt has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Belt fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Stahl is desperately trying to improve his position but Belt has a good base and remains in mount.

Belt moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Stahl has worked his arm free - good work by Stahl!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Belt looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bruno Stahl.
I've got Stahl 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 28:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruno Stahl!
Our winner, Bruno Stahl, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.