PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lapu Lapu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthias Staam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lapu comes into the arena with Magellan ug Lapu Lapu blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Staam's choice of entrance music: Muay Thai Sarama - Round 5. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lapu
vs
Staam

177 cm
18
209 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Master Lee's One Stop

Grand Royal Wear
{R.W} Four Aces Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lapu Lapu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matthias Staam!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Staam pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lapu swats away the attempt to clinch by Staam.
Lapu shoots for a double leg takedown but Staam sprawls well. He's pushed Lapu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Lapu has closed the distance and engaged Staam in a clinch.
Lapu taking a breather.
Staam with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lapu is trying to force a seperation but Staam has the dominant position.
Lapu takes a knee to the side of the body.
Staam with a knee to the head.

It looks like Lapu Lapu has been cut.
Staam is struggling to control the position.
Staam lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lapu can't break the clinch.

Staam escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Staam.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapu tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Staam is able to avoid easily.
Lapu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Staam throws a half hearted mid kick.

Lapu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Staam lands a nice knee to the body.
Staam landing knees to the head.
Staam is looking to break free of the clinch but Lapu has double underhooks.
Lapu tries for a takedown. No joy.

Lapu turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
You can see the frustration on Staam's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lapu postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Staam regains half guard.
Lapu trying to control from half guard but Staam is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Staam manages to get to full guard.

Lapu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Staam has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lapu has managed to get both his arms back between Staam's legs - danger averted.
Lapu trying to control but Staam is working from the bottom.
Staam looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staam keeping moving, preventing Lapu from controlling successfully.

Staam has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lapu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Staam keeping moving, preventing Lapu from controlling successfully.
Lapu won't allow Staam to get back to his feet.
Lapu trying to control but Staam is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Lapu Lapu wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Staam is defended easily by Lapu.
Lapu circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapu moves out of range of the leg kick from Staam.

Lapu has taken the fight to the clinch.
Staam with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Staam tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lapu drops down looking for an ankle pick but Staam pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lapu Lapu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lapu circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lapu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Staam.
Staam is looking to clinch.

Lapu shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Staam's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matthias Staam will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lapu Lapu's cut.
That's time! Lapu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Staam tries to clinch up.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Staam throws out a leg kick but Lapu moves out of range and Staam only half commits.
Staam misses with a head kick.
Lapu Lapu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lapu scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Lapu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Staam stuffs the takedown attempt from Lapu. Lapu gets slowly back to his feet.

Lapu has closed the distance and engaged Staam in a clinch.
Lapu tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lapu Lapu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Staam throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lapu blocks it with crossed arms.
Staam keeps control of Lapu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Staam tries a knee to the head but Lapu blocks it.
Staam is looking to control Lapu's arms but Lapu gets an underhook and turns him. Now Staam has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapu takes a knee to the side of the body.
Staam landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Staam using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lapu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Staam can't break the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Staam stalling against the cage.
Lapu has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Staam landing knees to the head.
Staam tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Staam using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lapu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
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!
Lapu fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A frustrated look appears on Lapu's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staam pressing his opponent against the cage.
Staam looking to throw knees to the head but Lapu is blocking nicely.
Staam with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matthias Staam seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Staam stops a takedown attempt from Lapu.
Staam looking to throw knees to the head but Lapu is blocking nicely.
A frustrated look appears on Lapu's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lapu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Staam tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lapu tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Staam smiles and moves away.
Staam stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Staam gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Staam taking a breather.

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

Lapu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Staam manages to break the clinch.
Staam wants to clinch up but Lapu keeps it at a distance.
Staam stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Staam wants it to stay on the feet.
Lapu circles away from the clinch attempt.

Lapu closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Staam to the mat! Staam manages to get full guard.

Lapu stands up and waves to Staam to follow him.
Staam tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staam fails with an attempt to clinch.
Staam tries to clinch up but Lapu circles away and keeps his distance.

Staam gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lapu to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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!

Lapu is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Staam wants to stand up but Lapu is controlling him.
Lapu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Staam looking for a guillotine here but Lapu defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matthias Staam will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Lapu Lapu's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lapu shoots for a takedown but Staam saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lapu Lapu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lapu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Staam sprawls well. Staam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lapu gets slowly back to his feet.
Staam fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Staam tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Staam looks to land a right hand but Lapu moved out of range.
Staam tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lapu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lapu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Staam.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lapu drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lapu showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Lapu seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Staam for as long as he can get away with.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Staam is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lapu is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lapu Lapu.
Staam tries to clinch up but Lapu circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lapu Lapu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A leg kick checked by Lapu.
Lapu shoots in for a takedown but Staam shows good takedown defense.
Staam tries to clinch but Lapu is having none of it.
Lapu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Staam moves into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lapu as Staam tries to tie him up.
Staam seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Staam tries a knee to the head but Lapu blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lapu trying to stall but Staam improves his position.
Matthias Staam is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapu tries to circle away but Staam has him pinned against the cage.
Staam tries to stall but Lapu uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lapu jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Staam walks away with a smile on his face. Lapu gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matthias Staam seems to be getting the better of the standup.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Staam lands a knee to the head.
Lapu tries for a takedown but Staam manages to get underhooks.
Staam throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lapu blocks it with crossed arms.
Staam utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Staam blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapu tries to pull guard but Staam won't allow it.
Lapu takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lapu tries to pull guard but Staam holds him up against the cage and eventually Lapu drops back down to his feet.
Lapu tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Staam smiles and moves away.
Staam throws a right and a left that Lapu avoids nicely.
Lapu Lapu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lapu tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matthias Staam.
I've got Staam 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthias Staam!
Post fight, Matthias Staam stared into the camera and said 'Bruce Lee was an artist and, like him, I try to go beyond the fundamentals of my sport. I want the public to see a knockout in the making.'.