PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ghabed Ghabedov (ranked 6615 p4p, 0 weight class) and Per Erik Stallhagen (ranked 5151 p4p, 0 weight class). Per Erik Stallhagen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ghabedov
vs
Erik Stallhagen

180 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

173 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ghabed Ghabedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Per Erik Stallhagen!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stallhagen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ghabedov tries to clinch up.
A little jabbing left from Stallhagen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stallhagen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ghabedov in his tracks.
Stallhagen lands an overhand right.

Ghabedov clinches with his opponent.
Stallhagen looking to stall.
Ghabedov can't get the takedown.

Ghabedov has Stallhagen pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ghabedov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Stallhagen tumbling to the mat - Ghabedov dives into Stallhagen's guard.
Ghabedov 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 fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stallhagen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ghabedov prevents Stallhagen from getting back to his feet.
Stallhagen being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghabedov lands a couple of elbows.
Ghabedov controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stallhagen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ghabedov's head.

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.
Ghabedov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ghabedov drops his hands momentarily and Stallhagen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Ghabedov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ghabedov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ghabedov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ghabedov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Stallhagen for as long as he can get away with.
Stallhagen is trying to control but Ghabedov manages to pass to mount!
Ghabedov content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghabedov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Stallhagen?
Ghabedov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ghabedov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Stallhagen tries to lock up and control but Ghabedov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ghabedov controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stallhagen wants to control but Ghabedov is having none of it.
Ghabedov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Stallhagen's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Ghabedov controlling the pace for now.
Ghabedov cracks Stallhagen with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ghabedov controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghabed Ghabedov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ghabedov walks into a left hand.
Ghabedov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ghabedov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ghabedov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Stallhagen connects with a single shot there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stallhagen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ghabed Ghabedov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ghabedov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ghabedov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ghabedov controlling from side mount.
Further stalling from Ghabedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stallhagen holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
You can see the frustration on Stallhagen's face as Ghabedov controls the position.
Ghabed Ghabedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Ghabedov is stinking the place up with his stalling.
Stallhagen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ghabedov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ghabedov controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ghabedov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ghabed Ghabedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ghabedov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ghabedov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Stallhagen is defending well.
Stallhagen works on Ghabedov's body with a couple of short punches.
Ghabedov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stallhagen lands with a light punch inside.
Ghabedov stalling in the clinch but Stallhagen improves position.
Ghabedov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stallhagen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ghabed Ghabedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghabedov tries for a takedown but Stallhagen manages to get underhooks.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stallhagen.
A right hand to the body from Stallhagen.
Stallhagen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ghabedov.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stallhagen digs a right hand underneath Ghabedov's ribcage. Ghabedov let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Stallhagen.
Stallhagen is looking to control Ghabedov's arms but Ghabedov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stallhagen has his back to the cage.
Stallhagen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ghabedov is trying to drag Stallhagen to the mat but Stallhagen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ghabedov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stallhagen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stallhagen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stallhagen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Stallhagen.
Stallhagen digs a right hand underneath Ghabedov's ribcage. Ghabedov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stallhagen taking a breather.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stallhagen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stallhagen is looking to control Ghabedov's arms but Ghabedov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stallhagen has his back to the cage.
Stallhagen wants to break free but Ghabedov has control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghabedov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Stallhagen prevents it.
Stallhagen pushes Ghabedov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stallhagen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stallhagen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Ghabedov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ghabedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stallhagen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ghabedov on the side of the head.
Ghabedov takes one to the chin there.
Stallhagen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ghabedov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stallhagen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stallhagen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ghabedov's hands.
Stallhagen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ghabedov's head.
Nice straight punches there by Stallhagen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stallhagen.
Ghabedov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stallhagen lands a jab to the head.
Stallhagen cracks a nice hook into Ghabedov's ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Per Erik Stallhagen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ghabedov gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Ghabedov breaks the clinch.
Nice cross by Stallhagen.
Ghabedov takes one to the side of the head.
Stallhagen sizes up Ghabedov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ghabedov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A jab from Stallhagen does it's job there.
Ghabedov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Stallhagen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ghabedov.
Ghabedov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ghabedov walks into a left hand.

Ghabedov is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ghabedov is sent reeling backwards by a solid uppercut. He barely regains his balance and Stallhagen moves in for the kill throwing a continuous barrage of punches that force the ref to step in.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Per Erik Stallhagen!