PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Stalinovich (ranked 286 p4p, 618 weight class) and Serafim Lupei (ranked 44 p4p, 93 weight class). Stalinovich comes to the cage accompanied by Hell March. On his way into the cage it seems that Joseph Stalinovich has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Joseph Stalinovich seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Stalinovich
vs
Lupei

192 cm
35
210
29 - 15 - 0

184 cm
41
211
33 - 26 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conviction

NARCOS
Hoarse Pills

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 29 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joseph Stalinovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 26 - 3, fighting out of London, Serafim Lupei!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stalinovich gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lupei.
Lupei digs a good body shot into Stalinovich's ribs.
Lupei throws a sloppy body shot
and Stalinovich counters with a stiff right hand.
Stalinovich shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Stalinovich uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lupei.
Stalinovich looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Lupei works over Stalinovich's head and body with a nice combination.
We've been informed that Lupei has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Lupei gets tackled into the cage by Stalinovich. Stalinovich maintains the clinch.

Stalinovich breaks from the clinch.
Serafim Lupei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lupei ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stalinovich moves away.
It looked like Stalinovich was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lupei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lupei throws a shot from downtown. Stalinovich moves away and avoids it.

Lupei darts in and clinches Stalinovich up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stalinovich misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stalinovich tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lupei's elbow.
Lupei tries to pull guard but Stalinovich won't allow it.
Stalinovich tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lupei's elbow.
Stalinovich lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lupei backwards.
Lupei swings wildly with an uppercut but Stalinovich uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalinovich lands a body punch in the clinch.

Stalinovich jumps guard.

Stalinovich has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lupei can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stalinovich 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.
Stalinovich bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lupei's guard.

Lupei has his foot on Stalinovich's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stalinovich works his way back into a safe position though.
Lupei is trying to keep Stalinovich in close.
Stalinovich has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lupei throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lupei keeping moving, preventing Stalinovich from controlling successfully.

Lupei has an active guard here but Stalinovich has managed to pass into half guard.
Stalinovich trying to control from half guard but Lupei is working away.

Stalinovich is looking for a kimura here.
Stalinovich passes the guard and advances to mount!
Stalinovich looking to control but Lupei is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei tries to lock up and control but Stalinovich gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lupei is desperately trying to improve his position but Stalinovich has a good base and remains in mount.
Lupei prevents Stalinovich from taking his back.

Stalinovich jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Lupei is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Lupei and Stalinovich has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Stalinovich trying to control the position but Lupei is working away.
Lupei is trying to control Stalinovich's posture but Stalinovich avoids it.
Lupei tries to buck Stalinovich off but Stalinovich is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stalinovich tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stalinovich has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lupei manages to work his way to half guard, despite Stalinovich's best efforts.
Lupei wants to get back to full guard.

Lupei looking for a kimura from the bottom but Stalinovich passes into side control!

Stalinovich tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stalinovich has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lupei is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Stalinovich is looking to take a break and control but Lupei is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lupei looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lupei is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stalinovich's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stalinovich's back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joseph Stalinovich will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stalinovich bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stalinovich slips under a jab from Lupei.
Stalinovich is looking to counter punch.
Lupei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stalinovich takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lupei throws a body shot but no joy.
Lupei swings widly with a right hand
and Stalinovich counters with a nice body shot.
Lupei is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Stalinovich rather than just go for the knockout.
Stalinovich takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lupei is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Lupei works the jab nicely.
Lupei misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalinovich uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lupei.
It looked like Stalinovich was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lupei scores with a hook to the body. Stalinovich takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Lupei has taken the fight to the clinch.

Stalinovich breaks the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Stalinovich blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalinovich takes one to the side of the head.

Lupei clinches up against the cage.

Lupei manages to pull guard.
Lupei keeping moving, preventing Stalinovich from controlling successfully.

Lupei is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stalinovich is aware though and is defending well.
Stalinovich showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Lupei can't keep his opponent in guard - Stalinovich advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stalinovich wants to take a breather but Lupei is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lupei won't allow Stalinovich to pass to mount.

Lupei actively working from the bottom here.
Still in half guard, Stalinovich seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich is keen to just control but Lupei is a slippery customer.
Joseph Stalinovich overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Lupei looking for submissions off his back.
Stalinovich trying to control from half guard but Lupei is working away.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lupei manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Lupei escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stalinovich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Lupei has his foot on Stalinovich's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stalinovich works his way back into a safe position though.
Stalinovich tries to free his leg and advance position but Lupei is retaining full guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalinovich tries to free his leg and advance position but Lupei is retaining full guard.

Stalinovich is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Lupei can't keep his opponent in guard - Stalinovich advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Lupei looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Stalinovich is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stalinovich tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lupei knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Lupei is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stalinovich pulls his head out easily.
Lupei is trying to control but can't.

Stalinovich is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lupei has managed to free his arm - good work.

Lupei looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lupei is looking to control Stalinovich's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lupei avoid being mounted?
Stalinovich prevents Lupei from improving his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lupei manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stalinovich slips nicely into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Serafim Lupei showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Stalinovich tries to land a leg kick but Lupei saw it coming and moves away.
The fighters circling - Stalinovich throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stalinovich ducks under a wild hook from Lupei.
Stalinovich walks into a straight right hand from Lupei.
Good exchange - Lupei coming out on top.
Lupei connects with a nice looking jab.
Lupei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stalinovich was well out of range. Poor timing from Lupei.
A swing and a miss from Stalinovich.
Lupei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Serafim Lupei seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lupei misses with a low kick.
Lupei scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stalinovich lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A big right from Lupei misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lupei throws a sloppy head kick and Stalinovich moves out of range easily.
Stalinovich swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stalinovich looks to score with a jab to the body but Lupei is just out of range.
Lupei tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Stalinovich.
A lazy left from Stalinovich finds it's target.

Stalinovich clinches up against the cage.

Stalinovich drags the fight down to the ground.
Stalinovich bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lupei's guard.

Lupei is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stalinovich is aware though and is defending well.

Lupei working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stalinovich doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stalinovich manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lupei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stalinovich drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stalinovich jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lupei is looking for a triangle but Stalinovich pushes his legs off easily.

Stalinovich got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lupei has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stalinovich has managed to get both his arms back between Lupei's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Lupei can't keep his opponent in guard - Stalinovich advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stalinovich is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lupei sees it coming and defends easily.

Lupei looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stalinovich wants to take a breather but Lupei is having none of it.
Stalinovich moves into full mount! Lupei won't be happy about that!
Lupei tries to control Stalinovich's body but Stalinovich pushes him off. Lupei squirms to his side and now Stalinovich has his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei trying to control the hands but Stalinovich won't let him.

Stalinovich is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Lupei tries to break free.

Stalinovich sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Lupei taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joseph Stalinovich!
A relieved looking Joseph Stalinovich thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.