PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stanley Stuus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peeta Mellark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stuus
vs
Mellark

150 cm
26
130 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

172 cm
29
140 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Stanley Stuus!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Peeta Mellark!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mellark scores with a hook to the body. Stuus takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Stuus misses with a hook. Mellark ducked under it nicely.
Stuus throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stuus tries to score with a low kick but Mellark moves his leg out of the way.
Stuus looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mellark misses the jab.
Stuus moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Mellark jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mellark misses with a wild body shot.
Stuus cracks the inside of Mellark's front leg.
Stuus scores with a sloppy right hand. Mellark should have avoided that one.
Mellark takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mellark takes a swing at Stuus's ribcage but misses.
Stuus dodges the punch combination from Mellark.
Stuus takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mellark throws a body punch but Stuus moves out of range.
Stanley Stuus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stuus just misses with a punch to the body.
Stuus dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mellark. That did some damage!
Mellark loads up on a big right hand but Stuus slips the punch.
Stuus scores with a leg kick.
Stuus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mellark.
Mellark works the jab nicely.
Mellark throws a push kick but Stuus slaps the foot to one side.
Stuus throws a shot from downtown. Mellark moves away and avoids it.
Stuus scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Stuus throws a head kick that misses.
Stuus checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mellark throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stuus on the side of the head.
Stuus keeps Mellark at a distance using the push kick.

Stuus scores with a takedown into Mellark's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stuus wants to pass the guard but Mellark is keeping the position.
Mellark has momentary wrist control but Stuus slips an elbow through the middle.
Stuus sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mellark's guard.
Mellark is looking for a sweep. Stuus is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mellark wants to control but Stuus is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stuus throwing shots but Mellark is blocking nicely.
Stuus wants to control but Mellark is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mellark is defending against the submission attempts here by Stuus.
Mellark is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stuus scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stuus connects with a nice short shot to Mellark's temple.
Stuus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mellark is refusing to be controlled, as Stuus sits in half guard.
Stuus lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stuus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stuus controlling the action here.
Stuus wants to free his trapped foot but Mellark is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stuus lands strikes from half guard.
Mellark is controlling Stuus's trapped leg to prevent Stuus from advancing to side control.

Stuus is looking for a kimura but Mellark is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stuus to get the leverage.
Mellark blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stuus.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stuus sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mellark defending well though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stuus trying to pass the guard but Mellark defending well.
Stuus lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanley Stuus dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stuus has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Mellark.
Mellark is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stuus misses with a takedown
and Stuus takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mellark throws a shot to the body.
Stuus misses with a takedown attempt - Mellark sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mellark fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stuus manages to avoid it.
Stuus is looking to slow Mellark down with leg kicks.
Stuus misses with the body kick
and Mellark makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mellark keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanley Stuus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mellark takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stuus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Peeta Mellark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mellark on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stuus. Stuus obviously looking to wear him down.
Stuus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mellark tries a low kick but Stuus avoids it.
Mellark is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Stuus moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
That kick from Stuus tenderised Mellark's leg. Mellark is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stuus throws a leg kick
and Mellark cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mellark leaves Stuus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stuus swings widly with a right hand
and Mellark counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mellark throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mellark throws a shot to the body.
Mellark scores with a spinning back kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stuus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mellark throws a body punch but Stuus moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stuus lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Stuus looks to land a combination but Mellark avoids it well.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Stuus.
Mellark takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stuus tries a head kick but it misses.
Stuus misses with a kick to the body.
Mellark has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mellark lands a slapping body shot.
Mellark lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mellark misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stuus throws a sloppy head kick
and Mellark counters with a left to the body.
Stuus takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mellark fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stuus has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Stuus takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mellark fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stuus.

Stuus clinches up against the cage.

Stuus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A bone on bone clash there as Mellark blocks the leg kick.
Stuus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stanley Stuus is winning the standup battle so far.
Stuus turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mellark moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mellark. That's going to slow Stuus down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Stuus throws a leg kick
and Mellark cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stuus throws a right hand that misses
and Mellark connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stuus just misses with a punch to the body.
Stuus shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mellark as he jumps to the side.
Mellark lands a nice shot to the body.
Stuus lands a glancing blow to the side of Mellark's head.
Stuus throws a predictable looking body shot
and Mellark counters with a slapping leg kick.

Stuus drives through and clinches with Mellark against the cage.
Mellark's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Stuus just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mellark's brow.
Mellark is leaning against Stuus and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stuus tries to pull guard but Mellark forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mellark blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Peeta Mellark will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mellark jabs Stuus right on the nose. Stuus blinks but takes it well.
Mellark tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stuus was well out of range. Poor timing from Mellark.
Mellark takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Stuus rushes Mellark and presses him up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Mellark.
Mellark's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Stuus trying to land knees to the body.
Mellark looking to throw knees to the head but Stuus is blocking nicely.
Stuus is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Stuus lands a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stuus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stuus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stuus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mellark is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Stuus wants to control from the top but Mellark keeps moving.
Stuus makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stuus 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.
Mellark looking for a sweep. Not yet Mellark, not yet.
Stuus throws a strike but Mellark rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Stuus keeping moving, preventing Mellark from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stuus working for a triangle but Mellark defends it easily.
Mellark loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stuus trying to control the position.
Mellark throwing strikes but missing.
Mellark content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stuus looking for a sweep. Not yet Stuus, not yet.

Stuus looking for a guillotine here but Mellark defends easily.

Stuus had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mellark defends it easily.

Mellark avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mellark throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mellark won't allow Stuus to sweep him here.
Mellark engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mellark trying to control the position from guard on top but Stuus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stuus trying to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stuus being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Peeta Mellark was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Mellark leaves Stuus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanley Stuus clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mellark wants to clinch up but Stuus keeps it at a distance.
Stuus tries to score with a low kick but Mellark moves his leg out of the way.
Mellark throws the left hand but Stuus avoids the punch easily.
Stuus blocks the body kick.

Mellark has closed the distance and engaged Stuus in a clinch.
Stuus has had enough of the clinch but Mellark keeps him there for the moment.
Mellark on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stuus looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stuus wants to break free but Mellark has control.
Mellark lands a shot to the body.
Mellark dodges an elbow strike from Stuus.
Stuus tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mellark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mellark on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stuus throws an elbow that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stuus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mellark avoids it.
Stuus is trying to break free.
Stuus with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stuus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stuus misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mellark.
Stuus missing with knees to the body.
Mellark is trying to maintain a safe position but Stuus gets an underhook and turns Mellark into the cage.
Mellark displaying some good clinch control by pressing Stuus up against the cage.
Mellark misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stuus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mellark pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mellark blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mellark lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mellark lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Mellark.
Mellark presses Stuus against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Good body shot from Mellark.
Stuus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Stuus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stuus missing with a left hand there. Mellark was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mellark checks a leg kick.
Mellark uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stuus.
Stuus swings for the body but Mellark moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stuus throws the kick towards the body but Mellark avoids it.
Stuus on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mellark. Mellark obviously looking to wear him down.
Stuus stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mellark.
Mellark buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mellark walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stuus checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
That kick from Mellark tenderised Stuus's leg. Stuus is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stuus throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Mellark wants to clinch.
Stuus swats away the attempt to clinch by Mellark.
Stuus shoots in but Mellark avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mellark scores with a body shot.
Mellark scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mellark misses with a low kick.
A jab from Mellark finds it's way through Stuus's defenses.
Mellark walks into a left hand.
Mellark lands with a shot to the body.
Stuus throws a leg kick
and Mellark counters with a nice body shot.
Mellark scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stuus is looking to land body kicks.
Stuus pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mellark avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stuus throws a front kick aimed at Mellark's knee but Mellark avoids it well.
Mellark blocks a head kick by Stuus.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peeta Mellark dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mellark comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Stuus takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Stuus defending well as Mellark loads up on a big left hand.
Stuus connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mellark is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Both fighters circling a little - Stuus finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Stuus connects with a body shot that sends Mellark's belly button to the back.
Mellark scores with a hook to the body. Stuus takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mellark jabs at Stuus's body.
Mellark tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Stuus manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mellark cracks a nice hook into Stuus's ribs.
Stuus rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mellark counters with a low kick, right behind Stuus 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Mellark.
Stuus is looking to land body kicks.
Stuus throws a push kick but Mellark slaps the foot to one side.
Mellark swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mellark checks a low kick from Stuus.
Mellark steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stuus.
Stuus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mellark throws a leg kick but Stuus sees it coming and moves out of range.
Mellark is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Stuus rather than just go for the knockout.
Stuus throws a leg kick but Mellark sees it coming and moves out of range.
Mellark has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mellark there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stuus throws a head kick but Mellark moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mellark's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stuus under the eye.
Stuus throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stuus misses with a wild body shot.
Stuus digs a good hook to Mellark's body.

Stuus has managed to clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stuus.
Mellark keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stuus's efforts to push away.
Mellark softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mellark blocks an elbow strike from Stuus.
Mellark tries to throw a body punch but Stuus avoids it by throwing Mellark back against the cage.
Stuus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mellark avoids it.
Stuus with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mellark stalling against the cage.
Mellark receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Stuus prevents a body shot from Mellark.
Mellark blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mellark prevents Stuus from breaking the clinch.
Mellark pushes Stuus back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Mellark wants to stall.
Stuus working hard to break the clinch.
Mellark tries to throw a body punch but Stuus avoids it by throwing Mellark back against the cage.
Stuus tries to land knees in the clinch but Mellark avoids the damage to the body.
Mellark keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stuus's efforts to push away.
Mellark managing to block the knees to the body from Stuus.
Stuus jumps guard but Mellark stands there with Stuus around his waist. Stuus gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mellark tries to throw a body punch but Stuus avoids it by throwing Mellark back against the cage.
Mellark gets through Stuus's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mellark blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Still in the clinch, Mellark scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mellark on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stuus wants to stall.
Mellark blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mellark managing to block the knees to the body from Stuus.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mellark managing to block the knees to the body from Stuus.
Stanley Stuus has scored more points in the clinch so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mellark lands a shoulder strike.
Mellark managing to block the knees to the body from Stuus.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mellark misses with a punch to the body.

Stuus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mellark throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Stanley Stuus.
I think Stuus 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 49:47
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Stanley Stuus!
Stanley Stuus retains his bantamweight title!
Stanley Stuus took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 for their support in the buildup to the fight.