PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Congo Ashantie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiranuka Stakanu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ashantie comes to the cage accompanied by Congo Ashanti. Stakanu has chosen Oy, To Ne Vecher as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Hiranuka Stakanu enters the cage!

Ashantie
vs
Stakanu

189 cm
35
234 lbs
40 - 16 - 1

184 cm
38
280 lbs
35 - 25 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Bad Man Clothing (Nothing over 40$)

Zipp Zapp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Congo Ashantie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 25 - 2, fighting out of New York, Hiranuka Stakanu!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stakanu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ashantie.
Nice body punch from Stakanu.
A slow jab from Stakanu misses its intended target.
Stakanu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ashantie.
Ashantie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stakanu throws a jab but it's blocked by Ashantie.
Ashantie lands a jab to the nose.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Stakanu has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Ashantie slips under a jab from Stakanu.
A left lands for Stakanu.

It looks like Congo Ashantie has been cut.
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!
Stakanu moves out of range as Ashantie throws a body kick.
Ashantie takes one to the chin there.
Ashantie misses with a straight left.
Stakanu misses with a straight left.
Stakanu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ashantie tries to avoid it but Stakanu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ashantie to the ground. Ashantie escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've been told by Ashantie's head coaches at Boomerang!! that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Stakanu misses with a two punch combination.
Stakanu missing with a left hand there. Ashantie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stakanu throws an overhand right that lands on Ashantie's shoulder, as Ashantie tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanu swings for the body but Ashantie moves out of range.
Ashantie thows a body shot but no joy.
Ashantie scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Stakanu misses with a straight left.
Ashantie avoids the body shot from Stakanu.
Ashantie lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Nice jab there from Ashantie.
Ashantie lands a jab.
Congo Ashantie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ashantie throws a predictable looking body shot

and Stakanu counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stakanu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stakanu throws a strike but Ashantie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Stakanu looking for a guillotine here but Ashantie defends easily.
Ashantie preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stakanu is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ashantie defends well.
Ashantie is looking to stand up but Stakanu won't let him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stakanu working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ashantie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ashantie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Stakanu is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ashantie defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashantie preventing the sweep.
Stakanu is still trying to improve position.
Stakanu will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ashantie wanted to stand there but Stakanu had control of the position.
Ashantie has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ashantie won't allow Stakanu to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashantie preventing the sweep.
Stakanu keeps trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stakanu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ashantie won't allow Stakanu to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiranuka Stakanu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Congo Ashantie's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ashantie misses with a leg kick.
Ashantie throws a hook but Stakanu blocks it.
Ashantie sizes up Stakanu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ashantie fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Stakanu bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ashantie's head backwards.
Ashantie slips under a jab from Stakanu.
A telegraphed right hand from Stakanu misses the target.
Stakanu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ashantie.
Hiranuka Stakanu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No joy there for Stakanu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ashantie connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stakanu's hands.
Stakanu feints a jab promting Ashantie to slip. Stakanu then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ashantie slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Stakanu missing with a left hand there. Ashantie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ashantie lands with a right hand.

Ashantie gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stakanu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ashantie lands a nice uppercut.
Ashantie misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stakanu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Stakanu.
Ashantie connects with a knee to the head.
Ashantie blocking some punches.
Ashantie missing with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ashantie lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stakanu backwards.
Ashantie lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stakanu backwards.
Ashantie misses with a knee to the head.
Ashantie misses with a knee strike.
Ashantie lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Stakanu or not.
Ashantie scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Stakanu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stakanu circles away from the clinch attempt

and Stakanu counters with a shoot takedown. Ashantie fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashantie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stakanu.
Ashantie wants to stand but Stakanu is controlling the position.
Stakanu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ashantie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stakanu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stakanu is looking to work some ground and pound but Ashantie has wrist control.
Ashantie wants to get back to his feet but Stakanu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Stakanu passes Ashantie's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ashantie blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stakanu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stakanu is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ashantie has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stakanu throws a strike but Ashantie avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ashantie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ashantie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stakanu looking to pass the guard.
Stakanu throws a strike but Ashantie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Stakanu looking for a sweep. Not yet Stakanu, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stakanu is on top in guard.
Stakanu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stakanu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stakanu landing with the ground and pound.
Stakanu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ashantie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stakanu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stakanu throws an elbow that misses. Ashantie uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stakanu's guard. Nice move by Ashantie!
Stakanu manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ashantie manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiranuka Stakanu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Congo Ashantie's cut.
That's time! Ashantie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Stakanu misses with a body punch
and Ashantie counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ashantie misses the shot to the body.
Ashantie misses with a low kick.
Stakanu fails with a takedown attempt.
Stakanu looks to throw the jab but Ashantie is out of range.
Stakanu misses with a wild body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Ashantie.
Stakanu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ashantie.
Ashantie throws a nice looking combination but Stakanu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stakanu looks to score with a jab to the body but Ashantie is just out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Ashantie as Stakanu shoots in.
Stakanu keeps the fight on the outside.
Ashantie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stakanu needs to keep his hands up - Ashantie had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashantie takes a swing at Stakanu's ribcage but misses.
Stakanu fails with the takedown.
Congo Ashantie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiranuka Stakanu.
Ashantie cracks Stakanu with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Stakanu throws a lazy right hand but Ashantie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stakanu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ashantie as he jumps to the side.
Ashantie with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stakanu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ashantie darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ashantie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stakanu was well out of range. Poor timing from Ashantie.
Stakanu staying out of range there.
Ashantie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
That kick from Ashantie tenderised Stakanu's leg. Stakanu is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch lands to the side of Ashantie 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stakanu misses with an uppercut. Ashantie saw that one coming.
Stakanu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ashantie jabs Stakanu right on the nose. Stakanu blinks but takes it well.
Stakanu lands a jab.
Stakanu cracks Ashantie with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ashantie looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ashantie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ashantie misses with a hook.
A left lands for Ashantie.
Stakanu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ashantie circles away quickly and effectively.
Congo Ashantie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashantie misses with the combination.
Stakanu needs to keep his hands up - Ashantie had a free shot at his head there.
Stakanu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ashantie misses with a looping right.
Ashantie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A big right from Stakanu misses.
Ashantie lands the left hand.
Ashantie swings for the body but Stakanu moves out of range.
Stakanu scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ashantie tries to clinch but Stakanu is having none of it.
Ashantie throws a lazy right hand but Stakanu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stakanu fails to land with a series of punches.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ashantie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashantie wants to clinch.
Ashantie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ashantie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ashantie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stakanu.
Stakanu connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hiranuka Stakanu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stakanu throws a body punch but Ashantie moves out of range.
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!
Stakanu swats away the attempt to clinch by Ashantie.
Ashantie lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stakanu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ashantie on the side of the head.
Stakanu throws a hook to the side of Ashantie's head but Ashantie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stakanu throws a hook but Ashantie blocks it.

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 Congo Ashantie.
I think Stakanu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiranuka Stakanu!