PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azor Ahai (ranked 504 p4p, 245 weight class) and Joseph Stalinovich (ranked 74 p4p, 38 weight class). Stalinovich has chosen Hell March as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ahai
vs
Stalinovich

188 cm
35
210
22 - 13 - 1

192 cm
33
210
26 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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Bondi MMA 🏝️

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conviction

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 22 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Azor Ahai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joseph Stalinovich!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Andrew Berry and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahai is looking to land body kicks.
Stalinovich connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ahai's hands.
Ahai cracks Stalinovich with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Stalinovich throws a big shot that misses.

Ahai closes the distance and clinches.
Ahai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ahai lands a body punch in the clinch.

Stalinovich drags the fight down to the ground.

Stalinovich is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ahai defends well.

Stalinovich looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stalinovich being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stalinovich has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ahai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stalinovich throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Ahai escapes and throws Stalinovich's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Stalinovich is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stalinovich manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ahai trying to control but Stalinovich postures up.
Stalinovich uses his free foot to push down on Ahai's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ahai.
Ahai is looking to get to half guard.

Stalinovich is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ahai has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ahai!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ahai controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stalinovich is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ahai defends well.
Ahai has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stalinovich wants to control the position but Ahai says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Stalinovich wants to improve his position but Ahai is controlling well.
Stalinovich has a hand on Ahai's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Ahai takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Stalinovich tries to lock up and control but Ahai gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ahai controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahai has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Stalinovich is desperately trying to improve his position but Ahai has a good base and remains in mount.
Ahai controlling from the full mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ahai wants to control the pace but Stalinovich is squirming around nicely.
Stalinovich is desperately trying to improve his position but Ahai has a good base and remains in mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azor Ahai dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ahai throws a big shot that misses.
Ahai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stalinovich can do to turn this around?
Ahai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ahai tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stalinovich is able to avoid easily.
Ahai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stalinovich momentarily.
Ahai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Stalinovich throws a head kick that misses

and Ahai moves into the clinch.

Stalinovich breaks the clinch.
Ahai tries to score with a low kick but Stalinovich moves his leg out of the way.
Stalinovich tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ahai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ahai throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stalinovich stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ahai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stalinovich.
Stalinovich swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ahai counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalinovich takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stalinovich tries to clinch
and Ahai counters with an outside leg kick.
Stalinovich pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stalinovich throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ahai swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stalinovich forces Ahai back against the cage and clinches.
Ahai slows down the pace here.
Ahai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stalinovich tries to pull guard but Ahai forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Stalinovich misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stalinovich blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ahai lands a nice uppercut.
Stalinovich working aggressively here.
Stalinovich misses with a punch to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ahai blocks a body shot from Stalinovich.
Stalinovich tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ahai smiles and moves away.
Stalinovich finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ahai throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ahai scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stalinovich in his tracks.
Stalinovich throws a sloppy head kick
and Ahai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Azor Ahai is winning the standup battle so far.
Stalinovich walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich takes a swing at Ahai's ribcage but misses.
Stalinovich on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ahai misses with a head kick.
Stalinovich misses with a hook. Ahai ducked under it nicely.
Stalinovich blocks a leg kick.
Stalinovich throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ahai counters with a stiff right hand.
Ahai wants to land a leg kick but Stalinovich is out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Stalinovich as he connects with a hook.
Stalinovich misses with the combination.
Ahai scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A head kick misses from Stalinovich.
Stalinovich swats away the attempt to clinch by Ahai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai throws a lazy right hand but Stalinovich sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stalinovich keeps Ahai at a distance using the push kick.

Ahai drives through and clinches with Stalinovich against the cage.
Ahai working aggressively here.
Ahai struggles to land a body shot inside as Stalinovich controls his hands.
Stalinovich tries to pull guard but Ahai holds him up against the cage and eventually Stalinovich drops back down to his feet.
Azor Ahai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Stalinovich.
A short uppercut from Ahai.
Stalinovich fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stalinovich fails to pull guard.
Stalinovich misses with a punch to the body.
Ahai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stalinovich backwards.
Ahai wants to stall.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ahai.
A shot in the inside from Ahai.
Stalinovich tries to pull guard but Ahai holds him up against the cage and eventually Stalinovich drops back down to his feet.
Stalinovich scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ahai's elbow.
Ahai lands a body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahai lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stalinovich.
Stalinovich is breathing heavily.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ahai creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ahai trying to control the position but instead, Stalinovich has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ahai into the cage.
Ahai misses with a body punch.
Ahai throws a head punch that misses.

Stalinovich jumps guard and drags Ahai to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Ahai is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azor Ahai dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ahai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Joseph Stalinovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stalinovich steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ahai.
Ahai looks to score with a jab to the body but Stalinovich is just out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ahai.
Stalinovich throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ahai counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stalinovich's knee momentarily.
Ahai misses with a wild combination.
It seemed like Stalinovich was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stalinovich ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ahai misses with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the body from Ahai misses

and Stalinovich counters with a crisp one two that drops Ahai! Stalinovich thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Ahai to his feet! Ahai is in big trouble!
Stalinovich loads up on a big right hand but Ahai slips the punch.
Ahai was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Stalinovich misses with a hook. Ahai ducked under it nicely.
Ahai tries to clinch but Stalinovich is having none of it.
Stalinovich keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ahai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalinovich swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ahai throws a quick counter head kick but Stalinovich was just out of range.
Stalinovich doesn't manage to clinch there - Ahai circles away.
Ahai was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ahai throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stalinovich takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stalinovich tries a head kick but it misses.
A quick step to the side and Ahai tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stalinovich misses with a body kick.
Stalinovich lands a jab to the nose.
Stalinovich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ahai checks a leg kick.
Ahai fires out a quick counter leg kick but Stalinovich just manages to avoid it.
Stalinovich throws a leg kick which misses Ahai's front leg but catches the back leg as Ahai tries to avoid it.

Oooooh!!! Ahai has knocked Stalinovich down with a huge combo! Ahai steps away and waves a wobbly Stalinovich back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Stalinovich is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stalinovich throws a body punch but Ahai moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Ahai tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ahai lands a right hook to the body.
Stalinovich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stalinovich throws a poor cross that misses
and Ahai counters with a nice kick to the body.
Azor Ahai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahai lands a body shot.
Ahai is looking to slow Stalinovich down with leg kicks.
Ahai stuns Stalinovich with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ahai cracks a nice hook into Stalinovich's ribs.
Joseph Stalinovich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stalinovich misses with a body punch
and Ahai counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stalinovich drops his hands momentarily and Ahai takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Stalinovich misses with a head kick.
Ahai clobbers Stalinovich with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A big right from Stalinovich misses.
Stalinovich misses with a hook
and Ahai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stalinovich throws a poor cross that misses
and Ahai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A head kick by Stalinovich misses
and Ahai counters with a right hand to the body.
Ahai connects with a looping right hand.
A low kick from Stalinovich misses
and Ahai counters with a body kick.
Stalinovich misses with a jab to the body
and Ahai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai lands a nice hook to Stalinovich's body. Stalinovich takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ahai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ahai throws a head kick that Stalinovich semi-blocks.
Stalinovich connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stalinovich throws a lazy right hand but Ahai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ahai.
Stalinovich fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ahai getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Stalinovich lands a really nice looking cross but Ahai seems unphased.
Ahai moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ahai cracks Stalinovich with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A swing and a miss from Stalinovich.
Ahai wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stalinovich throws a right hand that misses
and Ahai counters with a stiff right hand.
Stalinovich wants to land a leg kick but Ahai is out of range.
Stalinovich tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stalinovich thows a leg kick but Ahai checks it
letting Ahai counter with a right hand.
Ahai scoring well with a low kick there.
Stalinovich bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ahai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stalinovich throws a hook but Ahai avoids it easily.
Stalinovich throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ahai counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ahai lands a really nice looking cross but Stalinovich seems unphased.
Ahai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stalinovich will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Azor Ahai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ahai has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Azor Ahai!
Azor Ahai seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.