PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Archie Stewart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ziggy Stardust (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stewart comes to the cage accompanied by Frightened Rabbit - The Twist. 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.

Stewart
vs
Stardust

178 cm
24
183 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Archie Stewart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ziggy Stardust!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Illya Tyunina and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stewart misses with a straight left.
Stardust scores with a punch to the head.
Archie Stewart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stewart throws an off balance right hand
enabling Stardust to counter with a crisp jab.
Stewart fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stardust.
Stardust cracks Stewart with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Stardust missing with a left hand there. Stewart was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stewart slips under a jab from Stardust.
Stewart avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stewart dips to his left and cracks Stardust with an uppercut!
Stardust has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stardust there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stewart throws a body punch but Stardust moves out of range.
Stardust lands the left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stewart keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stardust just misses with a punch to the body.
Stewart misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stardust throws a jab when Stewart was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stardust stuns Stewart with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stewart throws an overhand right that lands on Stardust's shoulder, as Stardust tries to avoid the shot.
Stewart throws a lazy uppercut
and Stardust connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stardust misses with a straight left.
Stewart jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stardust looks to clinch
and Stewart counters with a leg kick.
Stardust throws a jab when Stewart was well out of range.
Stardust with a hook.
Stardust dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stardust with a hook.
Stardust lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stardust throws a looping overhand right but Stewart ducks down to avoid it.
Stardust misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart throws the left hand but Stardust avoids the punch easily.
Stardust misses with a straight right.
Stewart misses with a body kick.
Stewart pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stewart lands a jab to Stardust's midsection.
Stardust shoots for a double leg takedown but Stewart sprawls well. He's pushed Stardust's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stewart fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Stardust is out of range.
Stewart throws a head kick that Stardust semi-blocks.

Stewart shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stardust is trying to defend but Stewart finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Stardust trying to control but Stewart postures up.
Stardust wants to improve his position but Stewart is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stardust is not content to let Stewart control the position.
Stewart slips a nice elbow through Stardust's hands, connecting with Stardust's forehead.
Stardust wants to get back to full guard.

Stardust is defending against the submission attempts here by Stewart.
Stardust is looking to improve his position.
Stewart not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stardust is looking for a sweep. Stewart is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stewart wants to pass to mount but Stardust is defending the position.

Stardust actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stardust is defending against the submission attempts here by Stewart.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stardust is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stewart throwing shots but Stardust is blocking nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Stardust is trying to get back to full guard.
Stewart wants to free his trapped foot but Stardust is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Stardust looking for a kimura from the bottom but Stewart passes into side control!
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stewart cracks Stardust with a big elbow.
Stewart works to advance to full mount. Stardust defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Stewart scoring with strikes but Stardust is staying in there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stewart prevents Stardust from getting the reversal.
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 Archie Stewart will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stardust throws a poor cross that misses
and Stewart counters with a left to the body.
Stewart throws a leg kick but Stardust moved away.
Stardust scores with a body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Stewart 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stardust's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stewart under the eye.
Stewart takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stardust rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stewart counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stewart connects with a body shot.
Stewart throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stardust loads up on a big right hand but Stewart slips the punch.
Stardust throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Stardust rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stewart moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ziggy Stardust seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stewart throws a body punch but Stardust moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stardust clinches with his opponent.
Stewart lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stardust fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stewart presses Stardust against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stewart stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Stardust lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stewart backwards.
Stardust prevents a body shot from Stewart.
Stardust lands a right hand.
Stewart lands a right hand.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Stewart just misses with a elbow thrown towards Stardust's brow.
Stardust throws a head punch that misses.
Stewart lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stardust blocks an uppercut.
Stewart is looking to control Stardust's arms but Stardust gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stewart has his back to the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stardust has a couple of punches blocked by Stewart.
Stardust working aggressively here.
Stardust has a couple of punches blocked by Stewart.

Stewart jumps guard and drags Stardust to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Stewart tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stardust throwing strikes but missing.
Archie Stewart overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stardust postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Stewart is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Stewart trying to control the position.
Stardust throws a big right hand that misses.
Stardust lands a couple of elbows.
Stardust must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stardust throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stewart works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stewart trying to keep a closed guard but Stardust is proving a slippery customer.
Stardust forces his way into half guard.

Stardust is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stewart doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stardust.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stewart tries to get to full guard but Stardust has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stardust throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stewart 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.
Stardust scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stewart avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stardust.
Stewart has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stardust is working away from the top position though.
Stewart gets full guard.
Stewart wants to sweep here but Stardust controlling him for the moment.
Stardust with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stardust sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stewart's guard.
Stardust thows a huge punch but Stewart dodges it nicely.
Still in half guard, Stardust seems content to control.
Stewart makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stewart.
Stewart looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stardust manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stewart distracts Stardust with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stardust wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Stewart is now in half guard.
Stardust wants to improve his position but Stewart is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stardust manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stardust is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stewart is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stewart is in close to Stardust's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Stardust has his foot on Stewart's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stewart works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stewart trying to control the position from guard on top but Stardust is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stardust is trying to keep Stewart in close.
Stewart wants to pass the guard but Stardust is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Archie Stewart will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A big right from Stewart misses.
Stardust throws out a powerful jab.
Stewart tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stardust was well out of range. Poor timing from Stewart.
Stewart moves away from the strike by Stardust.
Stewart misses with a looping right.
Stardust swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stardust dodges the punch combination from Stewart.
Stewart misses with a head kick.
Stardust misses with an uppercut. Stewart saw that one coming.
Stardust getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A punch combination from Stewart misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Stewart.
Stardust stalks Stewart and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Stewart's face. Stewart staggers backwards, shaken.
Stewart ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stardust throws a hook but Stewart blocks it.
Stewart's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stardust connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stewart scrambles back to his feet.
Stewart swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stardust moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Stewart misses with a body kick.
Stardust throws a series of punches but Stewart moves out of range.
Stewart throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart misses with a body shot.
Stewart looks to score with a jab to the body but Stardust is just out of range.
Stewart tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stardust was well out of range. Poor timing from Stewart.
Stewart throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice cross by Stardust.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stewart fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stardust manages to avoid it.
Stewart thuds a left hand into Stardust's body.
Stewart takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Stewart closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stewart lands in his opponent's guard.
Stewart content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stardust is trying to control the position but Stewart postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stardust avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stardust wants to sweep here but Stewart controlling him for the moment.

Stardust looking for a guillotine here but Stewart defends easily.
Stardust takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stewart sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stardust's guard.
Ziggy Stardust has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stardust wants to improve his position but Stewart is controlling well.
Stardust regains full guard. Nicely done.
Stewart passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Stardust is looking for a sweep.
Stewart working away.
Stardust takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart lands a decent elbow from side control.
Stewart working the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stardust is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stewart's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Stardust on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Stewart looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Stardust is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stewart pulls his head out easily.
Stewart landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stardust tries to get to full guard but Stewart has control of the leg.
Stardust flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Archie Stewart is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stewart passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Stardust!

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 Archie Stewart.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stewart, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Archie Stewart!