PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bekzat Sersekbayev (ranked 2838 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stefano De Stein (ranked 3373 p4p, 0 weight class). Bekzat Sersekbayev looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Sersekbayev
vs
De Stein

177 cm
25
157 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
156 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bekzat Sersekbayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stefano De Stein!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sersekbayev looks for a takedown but De Stein sprawls well.
Stefano De Stein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sersekbayev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sersekbayev seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
De Stein throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sersekbayev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from De Stein.
Sersekbayev tries for a takedown but De Stein sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bekzat Sersekbayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sersekbayev shoots in and drives through. De Stein sprawls well.

Sersekbayev closes the distance and clinches.
De Stein is trying to break the clinch but Sersekbayev has him pressed against the cage.
De Stein can't break the clinch.
De Stein looks winded!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sersekbayev is trying to push De Stein away but De Stein has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
De Stein is pressed up against the cage. Sersekbayev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag De Stein down to the mat. De Stein avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A jab from De Stein misses.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a double leg but De Stein sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sersekbayev closes this distance looking for a takedown but De Stein circles away.
De Stein unleashes a big counter combination but Sersekbayev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
A punch combination from De Stein misses.
As De Stein tries to get set, Sersekbayev tries to push him back and clinch up but De Stein manages to avoid the attempt.
We've been told by Sersekbayev's head coaches at Jiu-Jitsu Fighter Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Stein throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sersekbayev's head.
De Stein throws a head kick that misses.
Sersekbayev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
De Stein has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Sersekbayev is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Sersekbayev avoids a punch combination nicely.
De Stein blocks a low kick nicely.
Sersekbayev throws a head kick that misses.
Sersekbayev moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Sersekbayev moves into range and clinches up with De Stein.
Sersekbayev keeps control of De Stein as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Sersekbayev successfully pulls guard.
De Stein has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sersekbayev is proving hard to escape from.

Sersekbayev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and De Stein defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Stein tries to stand but Sersekbayev is controlling from the bottom.
Sersekbayev seems keen to control De Stein's posture.
Sersekbayev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sersekbayev tries to get out of the position.

Sersekbayev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. De Stein gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sersekbayev has a closed guard, preventing De Stein from standing up.
De Stein is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sersekbayev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Sersekbayev is looking to advance position but De Stein won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev is working hard here to advance position.
Sersekbayev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
De Stein pushes Sersekbayev off looking to stand but Sersekbayev dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Sersekbayev decides to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Sersekbayev shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Sersekbayev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sersekbayev wants to pass the guard but De Stein is defending well.
De Stein blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sersekbayev.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sersekbayev thows a huge punch but De Stein dodges it nicely.
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 Bekzat Sersekbayev 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.

De Stein checks a leg kick.

Sersekbayev closes the distance and clinches.
Sersekbayev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
De Stein tries to break free but Sersekbayev pushes him back against the cage.

De Stein breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sersekbayev closes the distance and pushes De Stein back into the cage.
Sersekbayev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sersekbayev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
De Stein is trying to break the clinch but Sersekbayev is controlling him.
De Stein wants to break the clinch but can't.
De Stein is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sersekbayev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sersekbayev tries to pull guard but De Stein holds him up against the cage and eventually Sersekbayev drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bekzat Sersekbayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Stein is trying to break free.
De Stein is breathing heavily.
Sersekbayev is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sersekbayev pulls guard effortlessly.

Sersekbayev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. De Stein doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. De Stein manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sersekbayev looking for a sweep. Not yet Sersekbayev, not yet.
De Stein has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sersekbayev is proving hard to escape from.
Sersekbayev looking to hit a scissor sweep but De Stein is one step ahead there.
De Stein wants to stand but Sersekbayev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Sersekbayev has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. De Stein has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev pressing his opponent against the cage.
De Stein working hard to break the clinch.

Sersekbayev decides to pull guard.
Sersekbayev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. De Stein manages to get himself to full guard.

Sersekbayev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
De Stein misses with a head kick.
Sersekbayev dives in for a single leg takedown but De Stein sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sersekbayev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has De Stein pinned against the cage. De Stein gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sersekbayev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but De Stein avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Stein tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sersekbayev closes this distance looking for a takedown but De Stein circles away.
Sersekbayev blocks a head kick by De Stein.
Sersekbayev seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

De Stein gets tackled into the cage by Sersekbayev. Sersekbayev maintains the clinch.
Sersekbayev is trying to force a seperation but De Stein has the dominant position.
Sersekbayev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
De Stein wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sersekbayev has him pressed against the cage.
De Stein is trying to force a seperation but Sersekbayev has the dominant position.

Sersekbayev pulls guard effortlessly.
Sersekbayev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Stein is looking to stand up but Sersekbayev won't let him.
Bekzat Sersekbayev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sersekbayev has his feet on De Stein's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Sersekbayev clinches with his opponent.
De Stein is trying to break the clinch but Sersekbayev is controlling him.
Sersekbayev tries to pull guard but De Stein won't allow it.
Sersekbayev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but De Stein gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Stein has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
De Stein is trying to break the clinch but Sersekbayev is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bekzat Sersekbayev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

De Stein avoids the head kick by Sersekbayev.

Sersekbayev moves into the clinch.
De Stein is looking to break free of the clinch but Sersekbayev has double underhooks.
De Stein can't break the clinch.
De Stein tries to break the clinch but Sersekbayev is controlling the position.
De Stein can't break the clinch.
De Stein tries to break the clinch but Sersekbayev is controlling the position.
De Stein tries to break free but Sersekbayev pushes him back against the cage.
Sersekbayev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
De Stein stops a takedown attempt from Sersekbayev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sersekbayev jumps guard but De Stein turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sersekbayev tries to pull guard but De Stein holds him up against the cage and eventually Sersekbayev drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bekzat Sersekbayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sersekbayev jumps guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sersekbayev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

De Stein stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Stefano De Stein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
De Stein throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sersekbayev's head.

Sersekbayev shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sersekbayev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sersekbayev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that De Stein can do to turn this around?
Sersekbayev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Sersekbayev escapes and gets back to his feet.
Stefano De Stein seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sersekbayev moves into the clinch successfully.

Sersekbayev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sersekbayev shoots in looking for a takedown. De Stein tries to sprawl out of it but Sersekbayev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. De Stein manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sersekbayev looks for a takedown but De Stein sprawls well.
Sersekbayev shoots for a takedown but De Stein saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A head kick misses from De Stein.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sersekbayev clinches up against the cage.
Sersekbayev has De Stein pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. De Stein manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev is trying to break the clinch but De Stein has him pressed against the cage.
De Stein is trying to force a seperation but Sersekbayev has the dominant position.

De Stein manages to break the clinch.
Sersekbayev works the jab nicely.
De Stein pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sersekbayev tries for a takedown but De Stein sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from De Stein.

Sersekbayev has closed the distance and engaged De Stein in a clinch.
De Stein looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Sersekbayev manages to pull guard.
Sersekbayev has De Stein pulled in close to control his posture.
De Stein wants to stand but Sersekbayev is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sersekbayev controlling De Stein's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Stein trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sersekbayev's guard.
Sersekbayev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stefano De Stein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bekzat Sersekbayev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sersekbayev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bekzat Sersekbayev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sersekbayev, 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bekzat Sersekbayev!