PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Taylor Stram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isaac Clinganger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Stram
vs
Clinganger

185 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Taylor Stram!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Isaac Clinganger!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stram fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Clinganger avoids it really well and circles away.
Clinganger lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Stram shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Clinganger defends it nicely.
Stram shoots in but Clinganger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taylor Stram. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stram will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stram ducks right into an uppercut from Clinganger.
Stram takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Clinganger looks for a takedown but Stram sprawls well.
Clinganger lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Clinganger leaves Stram with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stram shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Clinganger counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clinganger tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stram misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Clinganger fails with the takedown.
Stram tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Clinganger swivels and escapes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Clinganger is defended easily by Stram.
Stram fails to land the takedown.
Clinganger moves in looking to clinch but Stram pushes him off.
Stram fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stram shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stram is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clinganger closes the distance and clinches up with Stram, looking for a takedown. Clinganger pushes Stram against the cage but Stram circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Stram shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Stram was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Stram looking to finish with strikes here!

Stram is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Clinganger has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Clinganger working to try and regain half guard.
Clinganger gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stram is looking for a kimura here.
Clinganger wants to get back to his feet.
Clinganger gets back to full guard.
Stram passes Clinganger's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Stram is working for a kimura but Clinganger is defending it quite comfortably.

Stram looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stram is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Clinganger won't allow Stram to pass to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stram passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Clinganger!
Stram landing shots from mount.
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 Taylor Stram will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Clinganger is looking to clinch.
Clinganger doesn't manage to clinch there - Stram circles away.
Some wild striking there from Clinganger.
Clinganger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Taylor Stram is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clinganger stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Clinganger wants it to stay on the feet.
Good work by Stram as he checks the leg kick.
Clinganger shoots for a takedown but Stram saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stram fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Clinganger dips to his left and cracks Stram with an uppercut!
Stram shoots in for a double leg but Clinganger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taylor Stram. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clinganger misses with a takedown attempt - Stram sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taylor Stram seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stram shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clinganger stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Clinganger throws a series of strikes that have Stram backpedaling.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stram.
Stram changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Clinganger tries to avoid it but Stram manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Clinganger to the ground. Clinganger escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stram has his takedown stuffed
enabling Clinganger to counter with a crisp jab.
Clinganger scores with a three punch combo!
Stram keeps the fight on the outside.
Stram dives in and grabs Clinganger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Clinganger pushes down on Stram's head and hops out.
Stram shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Clinganger as he avoids it easily.
Clinganger jabs at Stram's body.
Clinganger tests Stram's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Clinganger lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stram has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stram and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Clinganger connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stram's hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Clinganger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stram closes the distance and clinches up with Clinganger, looking for a takedown. Stram pushes Clinganger against the cage but Clinganger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stram fails to land the takedown.
Clinganger shoots in and drives through. Stram sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Clinganger.
Clinganger lands a two punch combo.
Stram has a takedown stuffed.
Stram will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stram checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Stram moves out of range of the body kick.
Stram tries for a takedown but Clinganger circles away easily
and Clinganger counters with a stiff right hand.
Clinganger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Clinganger lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Stram closes the distance and clinches up with Clinganger, looking for a takedown. Stram pushes Clinganger against the cage but Clinganger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Clinganger. No joy for Stram on that attempt.
Clinganger scores with a jab.
Stram shoots in for a double leg but Clinganger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stram defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Clinganger.
Clinganger closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stram circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clinganger stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Clinganger wants it to stay on the feet.
A right-left combo lands from Clinganger.
Clinganger stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Clinganger wants it to stay on the feet.
Clinganger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stram.

Clinganger closes the distance and pushes Stram back into the cage.
Stram wants a takedown but no success here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Clinganger is looking to control Stram's arms but Stram gets an underhook and turns him. Now Clinganger has his back to the cage.
Clinganger looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stram is working for takedown but Clinganger is calmly controlling the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stram is working for takedown but Clinganger is calmly controlling the position for now.
Clinganger is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Clinganger ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Clinganger no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaac Clinganger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A left lands for Clinganger.
Clinganger throws the kick towards the body but Stram avoids it.
Stram tries for a takedown but Clinganger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stram misses with a takedown attempt - Clinganger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Clinganger looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Isaac Clinganger seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Stram drives through with a takedown into Clinganger's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Stram postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Clinganger is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Stram, into his guard.
Clinganger must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stram is trying to keep Clinganger in close.
Clinganger has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stram is proving hard to escape from.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stram throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Clinganger is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Clinganger has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stram is proving hard to escape from.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Stram seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stram manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Stram misses with a head shot.

Stram is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Clinganger is surviving well by controlling Stram's body position as best he can.

Stram jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Clinganger is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Clinganger and Stram has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Stram looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clinganger is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Stram has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Stram is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Clinganger has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Clinganger throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Clinganger throws a chopping leg kick but Stram manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stram stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stram wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stram fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taylor Stram. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot by Clinganger.
Stram fails with a takedown attempt.
Stram looks for a takedown but Clinganger sprawls well.

Clinganger gets a clinch.
Stram tries for a takedown but Clinganger manages to get underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stram drops down looking for an ankle pick but Clinganger pulls his leg out and moves away.
Clinganger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stram as he avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Isaac Clinganger.
I think Clinganger has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Isaac Clinganger!