PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bean pole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Stapleton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stapleton comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Miserlou kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! David Stapleton has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

pole
vs
Stapleton

225 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Bean pole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, David Stapleton!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stapleton throws a series of punches but pole moves out of range.
Stapleton throws a series of punches but pole avoids them all with ease.
pole throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stapleton's waist but Stapleton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing pole off to one side.
Stapleton throws a nice looking combination but pole bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
pole shoots in for a takedown but Stapleton shows good takedown defense.
Stapleton is looking to clinch but pole is avoiding it.
pole tries to clinch but Stapleton moves out of range.
Stapleton pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stapleton misses the shot to the body.

Stapleton rushes pole and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
pole wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bean pole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
pole keeps control of Stapleton as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stapleton 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.
Stapleton stalling the fight.
pole misses with a knee strike.
Stapleton pushes pole back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
pole scores a nice knee to the body.
Stapleton goes for a takedown in the clinch but pole prevents it.

Stapleton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
pole throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stapleton's waist but Stapleton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing pole off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stapleton takes a swing at pole's ribcage but misses.
pole tries to clinch

and Stapleton counters by moving into the clinch.
pole prevents the takedown attempt.
pole fails to pull guard.
pole missing with knees to the body.

pole manages to break the clinch.
Stapleton circles away from the clinch attempt

and Stapleton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Stapleton is trying to break free.
pole drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stapleton gets the underhooks and prevents it.
pole prevents the takedown attempt.
pole unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Stapleton digs a right hand into pole's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on pole's gas tank.
Stapleton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but pole has him pressed against the cage.
Stapleton looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stapleton landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Stapleton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

pole shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
pole really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
pole is looking to work some ground and pound but Stapleton has wrist control.

Stapleton pushes pole off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Stapleton gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows pole to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Stapleton looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

pole thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

pole thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stapleton wants to stand but pole is controlling the position.
pole lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
pole thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
pole thows a big elbow that misses.
Stapleton is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as pole accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
pole tries to clinch up
and Stapleton counters with a nice leg kick.

pole closes the distance and clinches.
Stapleton wants to break the clinch but can't.
pole goes for a takedown attempt but Stapleton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Stapleton takes the fight into the clinch.

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.
Stapleton tries to break the clinch but pole is controlling the position.

Stapleton breaks the clinch.
Stapleton misses with a double jab.

pole has taken the fight to the clinch.

pole has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stapleton uses from the top position.
Stapleton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

pole looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stapleton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as pole works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

pole escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stapleton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stapleton wants to stand but pole has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
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 Bean pole will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Stapleton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Stapleton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stapleton is trying to force a seperation but pole has the dominant position.
pole trying to land knees to the body.

Stapleton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
pole avoids the head kick by Stapleton.
David Stapleton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stapleton looks to land a combination but pole avoids it well.
David Stapleton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stapleton drives through and clinches with pole against the cage.
pole blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stapleton is looking to break free of the clinch but pole has double underhooks.
pole keeps control of Stapleton as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
pole changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stapleton fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stapleton throws a head kick that misses.
pole tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
pole slips a jab and a cross from Stapleton.
A combination from Stapleton does no damage.
Stapleton looks to score with a jab to the body but pole is just out of range.
pole with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stapleton counters by clinching up.
pole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stapleton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
pole jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stapleton walks away with a smile on his face. pole gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bean pole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
pole takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A head kick misses from Stapleton.
A punch combination from Stapleton misses.
pole buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
pole swings away with a leg kick that misses.
pole moves in looking to clinch but Stapleton pushes him off.
Stapleton misses the shot to the body.
pole lands with a kick to the temple. Stapleton shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like David Stapleton has been cut.

pole darts in and clinches Stapleton up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

pole jumps guard.

pole has his foot on Stapleton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stapleton works his way back into a safe position though.

pole looking for a guillotine here but Stapleton defends easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stapleton postures up in pole's guard and throws a big left but pole blocks it.

pole working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stapleton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stapleton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stapleton would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

pole is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stapleton is aware though and is defending well.

Stapleton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

pole had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Stapleton is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. pole Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Stapleton's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton wants to get back to his feet.

Stapleton is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Stapleton controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

pole patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Stapleton grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Stapleton trying to get back to his feet but pole is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bean pole dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on David Stapleton's cut.
That's time! pole's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Stapleton gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows pole to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Stapleton wriggles free and stands up.
pole misses with a head kick.
Stapleton fails with an attempt to clinch.
pole avoids the body shot from Stapleton.
Stapleton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but pole avoids it really well and circles away.
Stapleton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
pole connects with a high kick.
pole misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
pole doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stapleton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
pole tries to pull guard but Stapleton won't allow it.
pole unloads a knee to the mid-section. Stapleton lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stapleton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but pole pulls him back up using the underhooks.
pole is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stapleton is defending well for now.

pole pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
pole fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bean pole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
pole avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stapleton is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down pole rather than just go for the knockout.
Stapleton takes a head kick and keeps coming.
pole wants to clinch up but Stapleton keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton throws a half hearted mid kick.

Stapleton has taken the fight to the clinch.
pole using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
pole with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

pole's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stapleton throws a sloppy head kick
and pole counters with a slapping leg kick.
pole shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stapleton as he jumps to the side.
pole scores with a leg kick.
Stapleton tries to clinch but pole is having none of it.
pole avoids a kick to the body.
Stapleton tries to clinch but pole is having none of it.
pole fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stapleton avoids it really well and circles away.
Stapleton keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stapleton drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

pole is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stapleton defends well.
Stapleton passes pole's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
pole is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stapleton's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stapleton's back!

pole looking for the RNC.

Stapleton is trying to shake pole off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! pole won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
pole is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton swats away the attempt to clinch by pole.
Stapleton fails in his attempt to clinch.
pole checks the leg kick.
pole closes the distance and clinches up with Stapleton, looking for a takedown. pole pushes Stapleton against the cage but Stapleton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stapleton throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and pole counters with a big head kick but Stapleton shrugs it off.
pole displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stapleton.
Stapleton tries to clinch but pole moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
pole wants to clinch.
Stapleton throws a body kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bean pole showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for pole, 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 James Atkins scores the fight for Bean pole!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Bean pole!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Bean pole!

Bean pole wins by unanimous decision!