PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oli Stefans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Stefans
vs
Gardner

225 cm
20
300 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
20
230 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Oli Stefans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body kick there by Gardner.
Gardner lands with a kick to the ribs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stefans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gardner.
A body shot lands from Gardner.
Gardner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gardner.
Gardner misses with a punch to the body.
Stefans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Stefans manages to break the clinch.
Stefans tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gardner throws a chopping leg kick but Stefans manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stefans moves out of range of the body kick from Gardner.
Stefans shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gardner as he jumps to the side.
Stefans shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gardner but Gardner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gardner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gardner. That's going to slow Stefans down.
Gardner looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gardner looks to land a body kick but Stefans moved away.
Gardner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stefans.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oli Stefans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gardner misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stefans takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gardner is looking to land body kicks.
Josh Gardner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stefans shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gardner avoids the head kick by Stefans.
Gardner throws a jab when Stefans was well out of range.
Gardner lands a head shot.
Gardner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gardner wants it to stay on the feet.
Gardner pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gardner missing with a left hand there. Stefans was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gardner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stefans moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stefans misses with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gardner lands a slapping body shot.
Gardner dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stefans. That did some damage!
Stefans closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gardner circles away.
Stefans is breathing heavily.
Stefans throws a series of punches but Gardner moves out of range.
Stefans avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stefans on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Stefans avoids the body shot from Gardner.
Gardner swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Stefans fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gardner moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Josh Gardner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gardner pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stefans takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gardner throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Gardner rushes Stefans and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Gardner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stefans misses with a takedown attempt - Gardner sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gardner throws a wild body kick that Stefans sees coming a mile off.
Gardner connects with a leg kick. Stefans looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Stefans takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gardner scores with a jab to the head.
Both fighters circling a little - Gardner finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gardner. Stefans does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gardner, right into the meat.
Stefans throws a right and a left that Gardner avoids nicely.
Gardner scores with a shot to the body.
Gardner throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gardner is looking to slow Stefans down with leg kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gardner fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stefans has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gardner scores with a push kick.
Gardner with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gardner scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Stefans has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Gardner.
Stefans is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gardner fakes the leg kick and cracks Stefans in the body.
Gardner lands a nice leg kick that just misses Stefans's sensitive parts.
Gardner throws the kick towards the body but Stefans avoids it.
Gardner throws a good cross that connects.

Gardner forces Stefans back against the cage and clinches.
Gardner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stefans's elbow.
Gardner misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gardner lands with a short punch from the clinch.

It looks like Oli Stefans has been cut.
Gardner lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gardner lands a body shot.
Nice elbow from Gardner.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Gardner dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oli Stefans's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A nice leg kick lands there from Gardner.
Gardner fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stefans.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gardner.
An inside leg kick lands from Gardner.
Stefans swats away the attempt to clinch by Gardner.
Gardner misses with a straight right.
Oli Stefans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Gardner closes the distance and clinches.
Gardner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stefans's elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gardner just misses with a elbow thrown towards Stefans's brow.
Gardner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gardner crunches a lovely knee into Stefans's ribcage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stefans.
Stefans blocking some punches.
Gardner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gardner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stefans is defending well for now.
Stefans takes a knee to the side of the body.
Stefans on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Stefans. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner scores a nice knee to the body.
Gardner lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gardner tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stefans avoids it.
Stefans blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gardner struggles to land a body shot inside as Stefans controls his hands.
Gardner misses with an elbow over the top.
Gardner tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stefans fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A right hook to the body lands for Gardner.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gardner utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Gardner breaks the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gardner.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gardner.
Stefans shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gardner as he jumps to the side.
Gardner tries to land a front kick but Stefans steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gardner's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gardner duly obliges.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gardner - that will leave a mark!
A slapping leg kick lands for Gardner.
Stefans will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Stefans takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
That kick from Gardner tenderised Stefans's leg. Stefans is trying to keep his angry face on.
Gardner scores with a jab to the jaw.
Stefans is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gardner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oli Stefans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab lands there for Gardner.
Gardner throws a push kick but Stefans slaps the foot to one side.
Stefans swats away the attempt to clinch by Gardner.
Gardner lands a leg kick that knocks Stefans off balance momentarily.
Gardner misses with a straight left.
Gardner lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefans shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gardner sprawls well. Gardner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stefans gets slowly back to his feet.
Stefans moves out of range of the body kick from Gardner.

Gardner clinches up against the cage.
Gardner works on Stefans's body with a couple of short punches.
Stefans drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gardner working aggressively here.
Gardner lands an uppercut.
Stefans blocks the elbow strike.
Gardner lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stefans backwards.
Gardner works on Stefans's body with a couple of short punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gardner throws a punch but it's blocked by Stefans.
Gardner stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gardner lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Gardner.

Gardner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gardner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stefans walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gardner.
Stefans shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gardner lands a nice looking kick to the body. Stefans takes a step back to recover.
Gardner stuns Stefans with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gardner scores with a sloppy right hand. Stefans should have avoided that one.
Gardner looks to score with a jab to the body but Stefans is just out of range.
Gardner lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stefans at a distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stefans takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stefans takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gardner lands with a good body shot.
Josh Gardner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A solid body kick from Gardner.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Gardner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Oli Stefans's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Stefans has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stefans there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stefans shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Stefans misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gardner scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stefans doesn't seem bothered though.
Stefans steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gardner. That one must have hurt.
Gardner throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gardner throws out a loose jab but Stefans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stefans avoids the body shot from Gardner.
Stefans tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good leg kick by Gardner there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gardner. Stefans does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stefans throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gardner's waist but Gardner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stefans off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stefans moves out of range of the body kick from Gardner.
Stefans tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stefans takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gardner misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gardner is looking to slow Stefans down with leg kicks.
Stefans on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gardner throws a leg kick which misses Stefans's front leg but catches the back leg as Stefans tries to avoid it.
Stefans moves away from the strike by Gardner.
Gardner misses with a kick to the body.

Gardner clinches.
Gardner tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gardner tries to throw a body punch but Stefans avoids it by throwing Gardner back against the cage.
Stefans blocks an elbow strike.
Stefans blocks an elbow strike from Gardner.
Josh Gardner seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gardner lands a nice elbow.
Gardner swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stefans is trying to push Gardner away but Gardner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Oli Stefans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stefans tries to pull guard but Gardner holds him up against the cage and eventually Stefans drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oli Stefans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stefans blocks an elbow strike from Gardner.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stefans jumps guard but Gardner turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stefans jumps guard but Gardner stands there with Stefans around his waist. Stefans gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gardner misses with a punch on the inside.
Gardner lands a body punch.
Gardner makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gardner scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gardner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stefans's defenses.

Oli Stefans's cut is getting worse.
Gardner lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gardner tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stefans blocks the elbow strike.
Gardner lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stefans jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gardner walks away with a smile on his face. Stefans gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stefans takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Stefans walks into a jab.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Stefans crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gardner - the referee stops the clock and Stefans gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gardner. Stefans manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Gardner punishes Stefans's body with a nice straight punch.
Gardner chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gardner scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stefans takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stefans uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gardner.
Gardner tries to land a front kick but Stefans steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gardner lands a jab to Stefans's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good standup being displayed there by Gardner as he connects with a hook.
Gardner misses with an attempted mid kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Gardner finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner thows a body kick. Stefans tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Crunch! Gardner slams his shin into Stefans's torso.
Gardner scores with a nice strike.
Stefans walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stefans throws a head kick but Gardner moves out of range.
Stefans looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stefans takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Stefans walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gardner.
Stefans on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Stefans steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gardner. That one must have hurt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gardner fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stefans has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gardner throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gardner thuds his shin into the meat of Stefans's side.
Josh Gardner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gardner dodges the punch combination from Stefans.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Gardner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gardner has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 25:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Gardner!