PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sean McNamara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elliot Stabler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McNamara comes to the cage accompanied by Massive Attack - Teardrop (House M.D.). Stabler comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Grown Men Don't Cry kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

McNamara
vs
Stabler

180 cm
29
203 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

184 cm
26
199 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sean McNamara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Elliot Stabler!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McNamara wants to clinch but Stabler slips to the side
enabling Stabler to counter with a crisp jab.
Stabler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Stabler fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McNamara, pushing him back against the cage.

McNamara is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Stabler can't fight it off and eventually McNamara manages to take the fight to the floor. Stabler looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stabler tries to strike from the bottom.
McNamara preventing the sweep.
Stabler wants to stand but McNamara is controlling the position.
McNamara controlling from the top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
McNamara is pushing down on Stabler's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stabler is fighting to maintain full guard but McNamara has managed to sneak the leg through.
McNamara is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNamara is keen to just control but Stabler is a slippery customer.
McNamara controlling the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Sean McNamara just wasn't active enough.
Stabler stalks McNamara and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McNamara's face. McNamara staggers backwards, shaken.
McNamara fails to land with a series of punches.
Stabler avoids the head kick by McNamara.

McNamara shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Stabler is trying to stand up here but McNamara is controlling him well.
McNamara blocks the strikes from Stabler.
Stabler is not content to let McNamara control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stabler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stabler has hold of McNamara's hands but McNamara slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stabler misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Well, if McNamara is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Stabler wants to get back to his feet.
Stabler trying to control from the bottom.
Still in half guard, McNamara seems content to control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice cross by McNamara.
McNamara looks to land a combination but Stabler avoids it well.
McNamara misses with the combination.
The fighters circling - McNamara throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
No luck for Stabler with that takedown attempt.
Stabler looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stabler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
McNamara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stabler is one step ahead there.
Stabler stops McNamara from standing up.
Stabler is looking to work some ground and pound but McNamara has wrist control.
McNamara trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stabler is looking to work some ground and pound but McNamara has wrist control.
Stabler throwing strikes from guard but McNamara blocks nicely.
McNamara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stabler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stabler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stabler chips away with some ground and pound.
Stabler throws a strike but McNamara rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Stabler is looking for a triangle but McNamara pushes his legs off easily.
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 Sean McNamara will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stabler shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McNamara defends it nicely.
McNamara lunges at Stabler with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stabler's hand.
McNamara throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stabler.
McNamara misses with a few strikes there.
Stabler pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces McNamara back to the cage. Stabler follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

McNamara drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
McNamara wants to stand but Stabler has his arm trapped.
Stabler is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on McNamara's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McNamara is controlling the pace.
Stabler tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNamara trying to control the action but Stabler is working from the bottom.
Stabler is trying to control but can't.
Stabler moves into full guard.
Stabler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McNamara trying to control the position from guard on top but Stabler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stabler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McNamara not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

We're going to have a standup here because Sean McNamara wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Stabler throws a front kick aimed at McNamara's knee but McNamara avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stabler has his takedown stuffed

and McNamara counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McNamara.
McNamara engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
McNamara trying to control the position from guard on top but Stabler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stabler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McNamara gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McNamara controls from within his opponent's guard.
Stabler 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stabler throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
McNamara is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

We're going to have a standup here because Sean McNamara wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McNamara throws a left and a right that both miss

and Stabler counters with a shoot takedown. McNamara fights it but they end up in guard.
Stabler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stabler throws a strike but McNamara rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Stabler preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McNamara wants to control from the top but Stabler keeps moving.

Stabler has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. McNamara is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Stabler.
McNamara controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stabler tries to bench press McNamara off him but McNamara keeps the position.
McNamara controlling the position from side mount.
Stabler tries to buck McNamara off but McNamara is having none of it.

McNamara stands up and we're back to a striking position.

McNamara gets a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stabler gets underhooks to prevent McNamara's takedown attempt.

McNamara gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Stabler regains guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McNamara trying to control but Stabler is working from the bottom.
McNamara stops Stabler from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean McNamara dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

McNamara stuffs the takedown attempt from Stabler. Stabler gets slowly back to his feet.
Stabler fails with the takedown

and McNamara decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stabler's guard.
McNamara trying to control the position from guard on top but Stabler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McNamara stands and steps away. Stabler gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
McNamara shoots in and drives through. Stabler sprawls well.

Stabler looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stabler looks to land a strike but McNamara avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McNamara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stabler postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McNamara looking for a sweep. Not yet McNamara, not yet.
Stabler pushing down on McNamara's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Nice strikes from Stabler there.
It looks like Stabler is going to stand back up.
McNamara is trying to maintain the position but Stabler is very close to passing his half guard.
Sean McNamara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McNamara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stabler.

Stabler is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNamara controlling the position for now.

Stabler decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
McNamara leaves Stabler with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sean McNamara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elliot Stabler.
Some wild striking there from McNamara.
Stabler shoots in and drives through. McNamara sprawls well.
Stabler tries to close the distance and clinch up but McNamara swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from McNamara both land. Nice combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

McNamara closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stabler quickly recovers to half guard.
Stabler is trying to control but McNamara manages to pass to mount!
McNamara looking to control and managing it successfully.
McNamara trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Stabler tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stabler trying desperately to get to his feet.
McNamara wants to control the pace but Stabler is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stabler wants to control but McNamara is having none of it.
Stabler throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Stabler tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stabler in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
McNamara lands a big elbow.
McNamara lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Stabler hang on?
McNamara controlling from the full mount.
Stabler is squirming around, avoiding McNamara's attempts to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean McNamara showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McNamara, 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean McNamara!