PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between George Stephanopoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonidas Hanegan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephanopoulos comes to the cage accompanied by ABC News Theme Song. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stephanopoulos
vs
Hanegan

168 cm
22
138 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
18
141 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Outback Jack's House of Crack

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Stephanopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leonidas Hanegan!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stephanopoulos shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hanegan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hanegan trying to keep a closed guard but Stephanopoulos is proving a slippery customer.
Stephanopoulos trying to control but Hanegan is working from the bottom.
Hanegan is pulling down on Stephanopoulos's head to control his posture.
Stephanopoulos advances position into side control!
Hanegan is looking to reverse the position.
Stephanopoulos lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hanegan down.
Stephanopoulos tries to move to mount but Hanegan blocks the move with his legs.
Stephanopoulos is putting a hurting on Hanegan here, landing some big shots from side control.
Hanegan pushes Stephanopoulos away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Stephanopoulos gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Stephanopoulos stands up and beckons Hanegan to his feet.
Hanegan dodges the punch combination from Stephanopoulos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stephanopoulos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Stephanopoulos scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hanegan is looking for a sweep.
Hanegan wants to control but Stephanopoulos postures up.
Stephanopoulos throwing shots but missing, from side control.
You can see the frustration on Hanegan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stephanopoulos is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hanegan is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hanegan is trying to get back to half guard.
Stephanopoulos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Stephanopoulos stands up.

Hanegan forces Stephanopoulos back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stephanopoulos successfully pulls guard.
Stephanopoulos has a closed guard, preventing Hanegan from standing up.

Hanegan stands up from Stephanopoulos's guard - Hanegan perhaps looking for a knockout.

Stephanopoulos looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hanegan looks gassed!
Stephanopoulos moves nicely into side control.
Hanegan is looking to regain half guard here but Stephanopoulos keeps moving and retains side control.
Hanegan takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Stephanopoulos is putting a hurting on Hanegan here, landing some big shots from side control.

Stephanopoulos decides to stand back up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Hanegan shoots and misses

and Stephanopoulos decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hanegan's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanegan trying to strike off his back.
Stephanopoulos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Hanegan is looking for a triangle but Stephanopoulos pushes his legs off easily.
Stephanopoulos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Hanegan uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Hanegan misses with a takedown attempt

and Stephanopoulos counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stephanopoulos being controlled here momentarily.
Hanegan's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Stephanopoulos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hanegan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hanegan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Hanegan is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hanegan looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanegan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stephanopoulos is one step ahead there.
Stephanopoulos with a nice head shot there.
Hanegan is controlling Stephanopoulos's posture.

Hanegan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hanegan managing to control the position.
Stephanopoulos won't allow Hanegan to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stephanopoulos stands up from Hanegan's guard - Stephanopoulos perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hanegan moves out of range as Stephanopoulos strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Stephanopoulos dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hanegan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stephanopoulos tries to avoid it but Hanegan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stephanopoulos to the ground. Stephanopoulos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Stephanopoulos clinches up against the cage.
Hanegan tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hanegan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Stephanopoulos.
Hanegan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stephanopoulos just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stephanopoulos tries to pull guard but Hanegan holds him up against the cage and eventually Stephanopoulos drops back down to his feet.
Good body shot from Stephanopoulos.

Hanegan drags the fight down to the ground.
Hanegan working a defensive guard here.
Hanegan wants to stand and escape but Stephanopoulos is having none of it.
Stephanopoulos passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Stephanopoulos tries for a kimura but Hanegan is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hanegan manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Hanegan throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Stephanopoulos is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos trying to mount his opponent but Hanegan defends it.
Stephanopoulos wants to stand but Hanegan has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Stephanopoulos gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Stephanopoulos pushes Hanegan up against the cage in a clinch.

Stephanopoulos pulls guard successfully.
Hanegan won't allow Stephanopoulos to get back to his feet.

Stephanopoulos pushes Hanegan off and scrambles back to his feet.
Hanegan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stephanopoulos pinned against the cage. Stephanopoulos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
George Stephanopoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonidas Hanegan.
Nice body kick there by Stephanopoulos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stephanopoulos drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stephanopoulos won't allow Hanegan to get back to his feet.
Hanegan trying to keep a closed guard but Stephanopoulos is proving a slippery customer.
Hanegan throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Stephanopoulos with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stephanopoulos is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Hanegan is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Hanegan manages to break the clinch.
George Stephanopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stephanopoulos bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
You can see the frustration on Hanegan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Stephanopoulos swings around for an armbar but Hanegan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Stephanopoulos's guard.

Stephanopoulos is working an open guard so Hanegan takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hanegan circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hanegan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanegan tries a knee to the head but Stephanopoulos blocks it.
Stephanopoulos is working for takedown but Hanegan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hanegan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stephanopoulos gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hanegan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hanegan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stephanopoulos pulls his leg out and moves away.
George Stephanopoulos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stephanopoulos throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hanegan on the side of the head.

Stephanopoulos fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hanegan sprawls well initially but Stephanopoulos persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hanegan is looking to improve his position.

Stephanopoulos is trying to work for a kimura but Hanegan is defending well.

Stephanopoulos is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hanegan defends it well.
Stephanopoulos seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos trying to pass the guard but Hanegan defending well.
Hanegan wants to improve his position but Stephanopoulos is controlling well.
Stephanopoulos has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Stephanopoulos has control of Hanegan's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hanegan regains control of the situation pretty easily.
George Stephanopoulos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hanegan really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanegan manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stephanopoulos is thwarting Hanegan's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hanegan gets a takedown into half guard.
Hanegan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
It looks like Hanegan is going to stand back up.
Hanegan is keen to just control but Stephanopoulos is a slippery customer.
Hanegan performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Stephanopoulos wants to improve his position but Hanegan is controlling well.
Hanegan is keen to just control but Stephanopoulos is a slippery customer.
Stephanopoulos moves into full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hanegan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stephanopoulos swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Stephanopoulos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stephanopoulos wants to get back to his feet but Hanegan passes into half guard.
Hanegan is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Stephanopoulos!
Hanegan trying to control but Stephanopoulos is having none of it.
Stephanopoulos is looking to improve his position but Hanegan isn't that keen on the idea.
Stephanopoulos slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos is trying to maintain the position but Hanegan is very close to passing his half guard.
Hanegan trying to control from half guard but Stephanopoulos is working away.

Stephanopoulos kicks off Hanegan and gets to his feet.

Stephanopoulos darts in and clinches Hanegan up against the cage.
Stephanopoulos pushes Hanegan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Stephanopoulos breaks the clinch.
Hanegan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stephanopoulos swivels and escapes.
A combination from Stephanopoulos does no damage.
Stephanopoulos fails with the takedown.
Stephanopoulos fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hanegan tries for a takedown but Stephanopoulos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown by Hanegan or perhaps it was just good defense by Stephanopoulos which made him look bad.
George Stephanopoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonidas Hanegan.
Hanegan has his takedown stuffed

and Stephanopoulos counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanegan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hanegan.
Hanegan keeping full guard, as Stephanopoulos tries to pass.
Stephanopoulos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Hanegan has an active guard here but Stephanopoulos has managed to pass into half guard.
Stephanopoulos seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hanegan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stephanopoulos lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Stephanopoulos is working for a submission of some sort.

Stephanopoulos is looking for a kimura here.
Hanegan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hanegan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hanegan is proving hard to escape from.

Stephanopoulos gets to his feet. Hanegan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Horrible takedown by Hanegan or perhaps it was just good defense by Stephanopoulos which made him look bad.

Stephanopoulos gets a takedown into half guard.
Hanegan controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Stephanopoulos stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stephanopoulos tries to clinch up but Hanegan circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Stephanopoulos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stephanopoulos 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Stephanopoulos!