PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stalin Starksson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Mastain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Starksson comes to the cage accompanied by War is my destiny. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Starksson
vs
Mastain

150 cm
21
250 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

182 cm
23
279 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Revolution Fatigues

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight 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 Montreal, Stalin Starksson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dave Mastain!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Starksson gets tackled into the cage by Mastain. Mastain maintains the clinch.
Mastain goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mastain lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Starksson blocks a body shot from Mastain.
Starksson lands a body shot.
Mastain throws a punch but it's blocked by Starksson.
Starksson misses with a body punch.
Mastain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mastain tries to work over Starksson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mastain has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch on the inside from Mastain fails to land.
Starksson blocks an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Starksson.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mastain misses the jab.
Mastain scores with a nice right hand.
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!
Mastain lands a nice hook to Starksson's body. Starksson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mastain.
Starksson avoids the body shot from Mastain.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mastain closes the distance and clinches.
Mastain misses with the head strike.
Mastain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mastain tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starksson's elbow.
Starksson digs a right hand underneath Mastain's ribcage. Mastain let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Starksson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Mastain scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mastain wants to get back to striking at distance but Starksson won't allow it.

Mastain breaks the clinch.

Starksson drives through and clinches with Mastain against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mastain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mastain lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Mastain fails to land.
Starksson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Starksson digs a right hand underneath Mastain's ribcage. Mastain let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mastain blocks a body shot from Starksson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starksson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Starksson blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Starksson throws an elbow but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mastain.
Starksson misses with a punch to the body.
Mastain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mastain tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starksson's elbow.
Starksson tries a body shot but Mastain blocks it.
A body shot lands from Starksson.
Starksson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mastain is keeping busy.
Starksson prevents a body shot from Mastain.
Starksson misses with the head strike.
Mastain is trying to break the clinch but Starksson is controlling him.
Starksson misses with some punches.
Mastain gets underhooks to prevent Starksson's takedown attempt.
Starksson tries to throw a body punch but Mastain avoids it by throwing Starksson back against the cage.
Mastain pushes Starksson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mastain lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Starksson tries to work over Mastain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Mastain breaks from the clinch.
Starksson lands a jab to Mastain's midsection.
Dave Mastain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Starksson misses the shot to the body.
Starksson fails with a takedown attempt.
Dave Mastain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mastain cracks Starksson with a good jab.
Starksson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mastain throws out the jab.
Starksson throws a hook to the side of Mastain's head but Mastain sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mastain misses with a wild body shot.
Starksson misses with a looping left.
Mastain takes a swing at Starksson's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mastain.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mastain takes a swing at Starksson's ribcage but misses.
Mastain takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mastain looks to score with a jab to the body but Starksson is just out of range.

Mastain gets a clinch.
Mastain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mastain tries a body shot but Starksson blocks it.
Mastain goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mastain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mastain.
Mastain can't find room to land a body shot as Starksson controls the action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mastain creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mastain.
A short body shot lands from Mastain as the two fighters clinch.
Mastain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Starksson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mastain after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Mastain dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Starksson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dave Mastain seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Starksson clinches up against the cage.
Starksson prevents a body shot from Mastain.
Mastain throws a head punch that misses.
Starksson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dave Mastain seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Starksson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mastain misses with a hook to the ribs.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Starksson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mastain's elbow.
Mastain tries to throw a body punch but Starksson avoids it by throwing Mastain back against the cage.
Mastain scores with a nice hook to the head.
Starksson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mastain has a couple of punches blocked by Starksson.
Starksson struggles to land a body shot inside as Mastain controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mastain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Starksson backwards.
Mastain lands a shoulder strike.
Mastain tries a body shot but Starksson blocks it.
Mastain tries to throw a body punch but Starksson avoids it by throwing Mastain back against the cage.
Starksson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mastain misses with a body punch.
Mastain is trying to force a seperation but Starksson has the dominant position.
Starksson takes a shot to the head.
Mastain has a couple of punches blocked by Starksson.
Mastain tries a body shot but Starksson blocks it.
Starksson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mastain is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mastain struggles to land a body shot inside as Starksson controls his hands.
Mastain scores with a shot to the side of Starksson's head.
Starksson wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stalin Starksson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mastain working aggressively here.
Mastain misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mastain is trying to break the clinch but Starksson is controlling him.
Good body shot from Mastain.
Starksson can't find room to land a body shot as Mastain controls the action.
Mastain misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mastain blocking some punches.
Starksson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mastain misses with a punch to the body.
Starksson blocks a body shot from Mastain.
Starksson can't find room to land a body shot as Mastain controls the action.
Starksson scores with a shoulder strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Mastain.
Mastain prevents a takedown attempt there.
Starksson prevents a body shot from Mastain.
Starksson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mastain pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Starksson taking a breather.
Mastain misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mastain misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Mastain manages to break the clinch.
Mastain bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Starksson's head backwards.
Mastain is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Mastain stuffs the takedown attempt from Starksson. Starksson gets slowly back to his feet.
Mastain lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Starksson at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A telegraphed right hand from Mastain misses the target.
Mastain lands a nice hook to Starksson's body. Starksson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Starksson dodges the punch combination from Mastain.
Mastain fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mastain throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mastain lands with a nice body punch.
Mastain lands a jab to Starksson's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mastain rushes Starksson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mastain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mastain is trying to break the clinch but Starksson has him pressed against the cage.
Mastain scores with a hook to the body.
Mastain lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Starksson backwards.
A hook to the body from Mastain.
Mastain presses Starksson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short left from Mastain.

Mastain manages to break the clinch.
Mastain connects with a right hand. Starksson shakes it off.
Starksson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mastain.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mastain lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Starksson at a distance.
Starksson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Starksson moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Mastain showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Starksson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mastain uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Starksson has time to react.
Mastain is looking to slow Starksson down with leg kicks.
Starksson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Starksson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Mastain forces Starksson back against the cage and clinches.
Mastain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mastain working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mastain misses with a body punch.
Mastain struggles to land a body shot inside as Starksson controls his hands.
Mastain struggles to land a body shot inside as Starksson controls his hands.
A right hook to the body lands for Mastain.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mastain throws a punch but it's blocked by Starksson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Mastain - that landed with a thud.
Mastain tries to work over Starksson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mastain misses with a hook from the clinch.
Starksson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mastain gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mastain misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mastain tries to work over Starksson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Mastain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mastain forces Starksson back against the cage and clinches.
Starksson misses with a body punch.
Mastain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mastain misses with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Mastain.
Mastain scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mastain.
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!
Starksson takes a shot to the head.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mastain lands with a nice body punch.
Mastain misses with a low kick as Starksson jumps back.

Mastain forces Starksson back against the cage and clinches.
Mastain lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mastain working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mastain holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mastain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mastain misses with a body punch.
Mastain throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Starkssons head.
Mastain has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mastain can't find room to land a body shot as Starksson controls the action.
Starksson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mastain throws a head punch that misses.

Starksson has Mastain pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Starksson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mastain tumbling to the mat - Starksson dives into Mastain's guard.
Mastain controlling the position.
Mastain has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starksson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mastain is keeping the position for now.
Mastain controlling the position.
Starksson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mastain's head.
Mastain wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mastain really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Starksson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Dave Mastain has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Mastain clinches up with Starksson and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starksson swings wildly with an uppercut but Mastain uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mastain blocks a body shot from Starksson.
Starksson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mastain backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Mastain.
Mastain stops a takedown attempt from Starksson.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mastain.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mastain tries a body shot but Starksson blocks it.
Mastain wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Starksson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mastain after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stalin Starksson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mastain working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mastain tries to throw a body punch but Starksson avoids it by throwing Mastain back against the cage.
Starksson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Starksson taking a breather.
A short right from Mastain.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Starksson avoids the body shot from Mastain.
Starksson misses with an uppercut

and Mastain counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mastain.
Starksson can't find room to land a body shot as Mastain controls the action.
Mastain misses with a hook from the clinch.
Starksson taking a breather.
Mastain lands a right hand that snaps the head of Starksson backwards.
Mastain struggles to land a body shot inside as Starksson controls his hands.
Mastain misses with a body punch.
Mastain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mastain lands a body punch in the clinch.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mastain!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mastain drives through and clinches with Starksson against the cage.
Mastain misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mastain misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starksson blocks a body shot from Mastain.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mastain has Starksson pushed against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Mastain.
Starksson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mastain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mastain tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starksson's elbow.
Mastain wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Starksson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Mastain has taken the fight to the clinch.
Good body shot from Starksson.
Mastain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mastain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starksson works on Mastain's body with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mastain stops a takedown attempt from Starksson.
Mastain prevents a body shot from Starksson.
Starksson missing with knees to the body.

Mastain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Mastain misses.
Starksson misses the shot to the body.

Mastain has managed to clinch.
Mastain has a couple of punches blocked by Starksson.
Mastain is leaning against Starksson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Starksson lands a left hand.
Mastain lands a nice shot to the body.
Mastain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Starksson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starksson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Starksson blocks a body shot from Mastain.
Mastain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Starksson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mastain.
Mastain prevents a body shot from Starksson.
Starksson has Mastain pressed against the cage, preventing Mastain from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mastain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mastain lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mastain misses with a punch on the inside.
Starksson blocks an uppercut.
Mastain digs a right hand into Starksson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Starksson's gas tank.

Starksson has Mastain pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Starksson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mastain tumbling to the mat - Starksson dives into Mastain's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mastain escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Starksson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mastain pulls Starksson in to control the position.
Starksson postures up in Mastain's guard and throws a big left but Mastain blocks it.
Mastain avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Starksson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Starksson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mastain works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Mastain dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mastain misses with a shot to the body
and Starksson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Starksson connects with a body shot that sends Mastain's belly button to the back.
Starksson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Starksson shoots in for a takedown but Mastain shows good takedown defense.
Mastain misses with a body shot.
Starksson slips under a jab.
Mastain misses with a jab to the body
and Starksson counters with a left to the body.
Starksson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Starksson shoots and misses
and Mastain counters with a nice uppercut.
Starksson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mastain sees it coming and avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Starksson. Mastain does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mastain misses with a wild body shot.
Mastain misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mastain looks to score with a jab to the body but Starksson is just out of range.
Starksson lands with a nice combination. Mastain backs away looking to recover.
Starksson is looking to wear down Mastain with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mastain lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
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.
Nice body punch from Mastain.
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!
Mastain struggles to land a body shot inside as Starksson controls his hands.
Mastain tries to throw a body punch but Starksson avoids it by throwing Mastain back against the cage.
Mastain misses with a short punch on the inside.

Mastain manages to break the clinch.
Mastain works the jab nicely.
Mastain swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Starksson clinches.
Mastain misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Starksson drives through and clinches with Mastain against the cage.
Mastain lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mastain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Starksson lands a nice shot to the body.
Mastain lands a nice uppercut.
Starksson misses with a body punch.
Starksson prevents a body shot from Mastain.
Mastain lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mastain lands a body punch.
Mastain goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mastain softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mastain misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mastain getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Mastain forces Starksson back against the cage and clinches.
Mastain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Starksson is trying to stall.
Mastain blocking some punches.
Mastain lands a right hand.

Mastain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mastain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Starksson manages to avoid it.

Mastain closes the distance and pushes Starksson back into the cage.
Mastain lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Starksson backwards.
Mastain struggles to land a body shot inside as Starksson controls his hands.
Good body shot from Mastain.

Mastain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice leg kick lands there from Mastain.
Starksson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mastain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Starksson was well out of range. Poor timing from Mastain.

Mastain closes the distance and clinches.

Mastain manages to break the clinch.
Mastain moves away from the strike by Starksson.
Mastain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Starksson was well out of range. Poor timing from Mastain.
Starksson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mastain back to the cage. Starksson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Starksson misses with a wild body shot.
Stalin Starksson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Starksson throws out a loose jab but Mastain uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Starksson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mastain closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mastain throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Mastain comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mastain winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 45:50
Judge William Peck scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Mastain!
Dave Mastain is the new heavyweight champion!
Dave Mastain decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.