PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Wasil Wasilew (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JanOle Stafjard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Wasil Wasilew has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Wasilew
vs
Stafjard

150 cm
26
132 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

166 cm
23
140 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wasil Wasilew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, JanOle Stafjard!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wasilew ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stafjard fails with the takedown
and Wasilew counters with a two punch combo.
Stafjard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Stafjard scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Wasilew is trying to get back to full guard.

Wasilew is defending against the submission attempts here by Stafjard.
Wasilew is refusing to be controlled, as Stafjard sits in half guard.

Stafjard is looking for a kimura but Wasilew is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stafjard to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafjard performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Stafjard passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Wasilew!
Stafjard trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Wasilew working to try and regain half guard.

Stafjard goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Wasilew turns into him and now he's in Stafjard's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stafjard working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wasilew doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wasilew manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wasilew pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stafjard is keeping the position for now.
Stafjard pulls Wasilew in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stafjard looking for a guillotine here but Wasilew defends easily.
Wasilew wants to control from the top but Stafjard keeps moving.
Wasilew looking to sit in guard and control but Stafjard gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Wasilew keeping moving, preventing Stafjard from controlling successfully.
Stafjard advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wasilew is staying active underneath Stafjard, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stafjard is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Stafjard is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Wasilew is surviving well by controlling Stafjard's body position as best he can.
Stafjard fails to advance to Wasilew's back.
Stafjard tries to control but Wasilew wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wasilew throws a combination. Stafjard tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stafjard doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Wasilew connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wasil Wasilew is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wasilew throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stafjard misses with a takedown attempt
and Wasilew counters with a two punch combo.
Wasilew leaves Stafjard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Wasil Wasilew has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JanOle Stafjard.
Stafjard takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Wasilew looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stafjard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wasilew shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stafjard eats them both and turns towards Wasilew to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Wasilew scores with a nice head shot.
Wasilew fails to land with a series of punches.
Wasilew lands with a nice combination. Stafjard backs away looking to recover.
Wasilew lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Wasilew.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Wasilew. No joy for Stafjard on that attempt.
Stafjard is breathing heavily.
Wasilew lands a jab-cross combination.

Stafjard bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wasilew can't do much from the bottom here.

Stafjard goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Wasilew rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Stafjard's guard! Nice work there by Wasilew!
Wasilew tries to stand but Stafjard is controlling from the bottom.
Wasilew trying to control but Stafjard is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wasilew pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stafjard is keeping the position for now.
Wasilew wants to control from the top but Stafjard keeps moving.
Stafjard is pulling down on Wasilew's head. It's preventing any offense from Wasilew, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Wasil Wasilew.
Wasilew digs a good body shot into Stafjard's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stafjard is defended easily by Wasilew.
Wasil Wasilew is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Stafjard shoots in and gets a takedown into Wasilew's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wasilew looking to control.
Wasilew trying to control the position here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wasilew is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wasil Wasilew has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Stafjard tries for a takedown but Wasilew circles away easily
and Wasilew connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wasilew lands with a straight right. Stafjard didn't see that one coming.
Stafjard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wasilew avoids it really well and circles away.
Wasilew scores with a jab to the body.
Wasilew scores with a three punch combo!
Stafjard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A nice combination there by Wasilew.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stafjard tries to move into range but Wasilew moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wasilew catches Stafjard with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice jab there from Wasilew.
A nice combination there by Wasilew.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wasil Wasilew dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Wasilew lands with a nice combination. Stafjard backs away looking to recover.
Wasil Wasilew seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stafjard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Wasilew is trying to defend but Stafjard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Stafjard wants to take a breather but Wasilew is having none of it.
Wasilew could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Wasilew is looking to control Stafjard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wasilew avoid being mounted?
Wasilew tries to roll over but Stafjard keeps him under control.
Wasilew is working hard here to advance position.
Wasilew has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stafjard is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafjard is pressing down on Wasilew's thigh, looking to free his foot. Wasilew is holding on for now.
Stafjard trying to control from half guard but Wasilew is working away.
Stafjard trying to pass the guard but Wasilew defending well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stafjard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Wasilew sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stafjard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wasilew thuds his right hand into Stafjard's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wasilew bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stafjard's head.
The crowd cheers as Wasilew lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stafjard doesn't seem phased though.
Stafjard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stafjard is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Wasilew scores with a jab to the head.
Wasilew fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stafjard looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Good exchange - Wasilew coming out on top.
Stafjard looks for a takedown but Wasilew sprawls well.
Wasilew fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wasilew throws a one two combo.
Wasilew scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wasilew's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stafjard under the eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wasilew connects with a body shot that sends Stafjard's belly button to the back.
Wasilew throws a good cross that connects.
Wasilew closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wasilew throws a shot to the body.
Wasilew scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Wasil Wasilew is winning the standup battle so far.
Stafjard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wasilew scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jab by Wasilew.
Wasilew connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stafjard momentarily.
Wasilew goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wasilew throws a good cross that connects.
Stafjard misses with a takedown
and Wasilew counters with a one-two to the body.
Wasil Wasilew has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JanOle Stafjard.
Wasilew changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wasilew lands a nice shot to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Wasilew scores with a four punch combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wasilew scores with a jab.
Wasilew moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wasilew scores with a jab to the jaw.
Wasilew lands with an uppercut that bounces Stafjard off the cage and back into rage.
Wasilew works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Wasilew scores with a four punch combination!
Wasilew lands with a nice combination. Stafjard backs away looking to recover.
Wasilew scores with a jab.
Wasilew throws a series of strikes that have Stafjard backpedaling.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wasilew lands with a hook. Stafjard tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Danga de danga de dang - Wasilew scores with a four punch combination!
Stafjard has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Wasilew 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!
Wasil Wasilew showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wasilew has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wasil Wasilew!