PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Malik Stafford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Randall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Randall has chosen Promentory as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stafford
vs
Randall

179 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Malik Stafford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dave Randall!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Randall clinches up with Stafford and pushes him back against the cage.

Stafford wants the takedown. Randall is fighting it off but Stafford persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Randall's guard against the cage.
Randall looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Stafford stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Stafford tries to keep at a distance but Randall has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stafford has had enough of the clinch but Randall keeps him there for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters up against the cage, Randall throws an elbow but misses.
Randall misses with a body punch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Stafford - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Stafford tries to break free but Randall pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafford leaning his opponent against the cage.
Stafford is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stafford tries for a takedown but Randall manages to get underhooks.
Randall can't get the takedown.
Randall throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Randall is looking to break free of the clinch but Stafford has double underhooks.
Randall will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stafford up against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Randall is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Stafford to keep the fight standing.
Malik Stafford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Randall.
Stafford changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Randall fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd cheers as Randall lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stafford doesn't seem phased though.
Randall shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stafford as he jumps to the side.
As Randall tries to get set, Stafford tries to push him back and clinch up but Randall manages to avoid the attempt.

Stafford clinches with his opponent.
Randall has Stafford pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stafford manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Randall pressing his opponent against the cage.
Randall misses with a knee strike.
Randall looks winded!
Stafford is working for takedown but Randall is calmly controlling the position for now.

Stafford's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Randall feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stafford's calf.

Stafford shoots in and gets a takedown into Randall's guard.

Stafford stands up and waves to Randall to follow him.

Stafford clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Randall can't find room to land a body shot as Stafford controls the action.
Randall jumps guard but Stafford turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Randall is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stafford pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stafford is trying to drag Randall to the mat but Randall just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Randall tries to pull guard but Stafford holds him up against the cage and eventually Randall drops back down to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stafford holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Randall tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stafford just stands there and leans against the cage.
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 Malik Stafford will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stafford takes a swing at Randall's ribcage but misses.

Randall clinches with his opponent.

Randall manages to break the clinch.

Randall gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Randall successfully pulls guard.
Randall not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Stafford drops back looking for a leg! Randall is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Randall manages to kick Stafford off! Stafford jumps back into Randall's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Randall is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stafford stands up and waves to Randall to follow him.
Randall shoots in but Stafford avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stafford tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Randall manages to circle out of the way.
Randall is breathing heavily.

Randall moves into the clinch.
Stafford wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Randall has him pressed against the cage.
Randall is pushing Stafford up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Stafford taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stafford is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Randall gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stafford holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Randall is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Stafford turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Stafford manages to end up in side control.
Randall is trying to control Stafford's posture but Stafford avoids it.
Stafford content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Randall tries to escape but Stafford is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stafford decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Dave Randall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stafford swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Randall tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stafford defends well and Randall ends up having to push Stafford into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Malik Stafford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Randall.

Randall drives through and clinches with Stafford against the cage.
Randall wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stafford wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Randall crunches a lovely knee into Stafford's ribcage.
Stafford tries to circle away but Randall has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stafford has Randall pushed against the cage.
Dave Randall seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stalling in the clinch from Stafford.
Stafford looking for a takedown.
Randall tries to pull guard but Stafford won't allow it.
Come on Stafford - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Stafford manages to break the clinch.

Randall moves into range and clinches up with Stafford.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Randall fails to pull guard.
Stafford tries to break the clinch but Randall is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dave Randall will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Randall drives through and clinches with Stafford against the cage.
Stafford is trying to force a seperation but Randall has the dominant position.
Stafford wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Randall has him pressed against the cage.
Stafford avoiding damage as Randall throws knees to the body.
Randall is trying to break free.
Randall makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stafford is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Stafford prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stafford has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Randall after a bit of a struggle.
Stafford fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Randall is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Stafford to keep the fight standing.
Randall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Randall breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Randall throws a head kick that misses.
Stafford shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Randall but Randall pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Randall fails to land the takedown.
Stafford lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Malik Stafford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Randall.
Randall changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stafford tries to avoid it but Randall manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stafford to the ground. Stafford escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stafford seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Stafford misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Stafford gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Stafford avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stafford.
Randall tries for a takedown but Stafford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stafford wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Stafford closes the distance and clinches.
Stafford taking a breather.
Stafford stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stafford pressing his opponent against the cage.

Stafford gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Randall kicks off Stafford and gets to his feet.
Stafford scores with a jab to the jaw.

Randall takes the fight into the clinch.

Stafford has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Randall regains guard immediately.
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!

Stafford stands and steps away. Randall gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stafford stuffs the takedown attempt from Randall. Randall gets slowly back to his feet.
Stafford is looking to counter the offense by Randall and move into the clinch.

Stafford decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Randall makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Randall slips a jab from Stafford.

Stafford moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Malik Stafford.
I think Stafford has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malik Stafford!