PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hercules Stone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cory Minor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stone
vs
Minor

175 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hercules Stone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cory Minor!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Minor or perhaps it was just good defense by Stone which made him look bad.
Minor slaps away a takedown attempt from Stone, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Minor fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stone to the ground. Minor is now in Stone's guard.
Stone keeping moving, preventing Minor from controlling successfully.
Stone is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Minor is controlling him.
Stone is trying to keep Minor in close.
Minor is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Minor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stone. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Stone is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minor wants the takedown. Stone is fighting it off but Minor persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Stone's guard against the cage.

Stone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Minor throws an elbow that misses. Stone uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Minor's guard. Nice move by Stone!
Stone controlling from the top position.
Stone postures up in Minor's guard and throws a big left but Minor blocks it.
Stone tries to free his leg and advance position but Minor is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minor wants to stand but Stone is controlling the position.
Stone trying to control but Minor is working from the bottom.
Minor wants to stand but Stone is controlling the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Minor keeping moving, preventing Stone from controlling successfully.
Stone is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hercules Stone.
Minor defending well as Stone loads up on a big left hand.

Minor shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Minor was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minor trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Minor controlling his opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Minor lands a big shot there that rocks Stone but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Minor tries to control but Stone wriggling away.
Stone really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Minor moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Stone has worked his arm free - good work by Stone!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone being controlled for a moment.
Stone is not content to let Minor control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Minor grinds an elbow into Stone's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cory Minor dominated that round.
That's time! Stone's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Minor shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stone is trying to defend but Minor finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Minor content to control rather than advance.
Minor thows a huge punch but Stone dodges it nicely.

Minor is working for a kimura but Stone is defending it quite comfortably.
Minor slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minor passes to side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Stone is pushing Minor's head away, looking to escape. Minor manages to hold on to the position though.
Stone tries to buck Minor off but Minor is having none of it.
Minor trying to control the action but Stone is working from the bottom.
Stone regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stone won't allow Minor to pass to mount.
Minor lands with a punch from half guard.
Minor is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Stone tries to kick Minor off but Minor keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Minor throwing shots but Stone is blocking nicely.
Minor tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Stone.
Minor trying to control from half guard but Stone is working away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Minor is working for a submission of some sort.
Minor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Minor is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Minor working Stone over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Minor is looking to work some ground and pound but Stone has wrist control.
Minor with a nice head shot there.
Minor makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Minor advances position into side control!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stone is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Minor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stone sprawls well. Stone wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Minor gets slowly back to his feet.

Stone has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stone has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Minor after a bit of a struggle.

Minor has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Stone is trying to keep an underhook but Minor manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Minor stalling.
Minor trying to mount his opponent but Stone defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stone is staying active underneath Minor, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cory Minor wasn't active enough on the ground.
Stone stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stone wants it to stay on the feet.
Stone tries for a takedown but Minor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown by Minor or perhaps it was just good defense by Stone which made him look bad.
Hercules Stone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cory Minor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Minor shoots in for a takedown but Stone shows good takedown defense.
Minor moves out of range of the strikes.
Stone tries to score a power double leg takedown but Minor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stone somewhat.

Minor manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Stone on his heels. He'll look to pass Stone's guard now, I'm sure.

Minor stands up from Stone's guard - Minor perhaps looking for a knockout.
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!

Minor shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stone manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minor stands and throws Stone's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stone is looking to regain half guard here but Minor keeps moving and retains side control.
Minor controls the position.

Minor is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stone has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Minor looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Minor tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Stone trying to remain calm as Minor controls from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cory Minor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Minor 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cory Minor!