PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Stifler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manfred von Richthofen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). von Richthofen has chosen Theme tune to islam as his entrance music. 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.

Stifler
vs
von Richthofen

185 cm
38
187 lbs
26 - 23 - 0

174 cm
37
184 lbs
30 - 20 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 26 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Stifler !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 20 - 1, fighting out of London, Manfred von Richthofen!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stifler misses with a double jab.
von Richthofen tries to counter with a clinch but Stifler shakes him off and moves away.
von Richthofen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stifler throws a big counter combination but von Richthofen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
von Richthofen tries to clinch up.
Stifler fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches von Richthofen on the side of the head.
von Richthofen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
von Richthofen tries to clinch up.
Stifler is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from von Richthofen.
Stifler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but von Richthofen was well out of range. Poor timing from Stifler .
Stifler has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Stifler looks to land a right hand but von Richthofen moved out of range.

Stifler forces von Richthofen back against the cage and clinches.
A right handed body shot lands from von Richthofen.
von Richthofen tries a body shot but Stifler blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Stifler fails to land.
Stifler lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short body shot lands from von Richthofen as the two fighters clinch.
von Richthofen prevents the takedown attempt.
von Richthofen blocks an uppercut.
von Richthofen digs a right hand underneath Stifler 's ribcage. Stifler let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stifler is breathing heavily.
von Richthofen can't find room to land a body shot as Stifler controls the action.
Stifler misses with a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short left from von Richthofen.
Stifler fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
von Richthofen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
von Richthofen wants to take the fight to the mat but Stifler manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
von Richthofen tries to work over Stifler 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stifler misses with a short punch on the inside.
von Richthofen tries to throw a body punch but Stifler avoids it by throwing von Richthofen back against the cage.
Stifler blocks a body shot from von Richthofen.
von Richthofen lands a nice uppercut.
von Richthofen lands with a short shot to the head.
von Richthofen works on Stifler 's body with a couple of short punches.
von Richthofen tries to work over Stifler 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Stifler .
von Richthofen misses with a body punch.
von Richthofen blocks a body shot from Stifler .
von Richthofen lands a body shot in the clinch.
von Richthofen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
von Richthofen tries a body shot but Stifler blocks it.
Stifler misses with some punches.
Stifler throws an elbow but it misses.
von Richthofen tries a body shot but Stifler blocks it.
von Richthofen misses with a body punch.
von Richthofen misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stifler creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stifler lands with a light punch inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
von Richthofen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Steve Stifler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manfred von Richthofen.
Stifler 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stifler is looking to control von Richthofen's arms but von Richthofen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stifler has his back to the cage.
Stifler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
von Richthofen can't find room to land a body shot as Stifler controls the action.
von Richthofen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
von Richthofen told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
von Richthofen is looking for a takedown.
von Richthofen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stifler is trying to maintain a safe position but von Richthofen gets an underhook and turns Stifler into the cage.
von Richthofen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stifler prevents a body shot from von Richthofen.
von Richthofen tries to throw a body punch but Stifler avoids it by throwing von Richthofen back against the cage.
von Richthofen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

von Richthofen gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
von Richthofen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stifler is keeping the position for now.
von Richthofen content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stifler working for a triangle but von Richthofen defends it easily.
von Richthofen passes Stifler 's left leg - he's now in half guard.
von Richthofen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stifler keeps working.
Stifler is looking for a sweep. von Richthofen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Stifler looking for submissions off his back.
Stifler is refusing to be controlled, as von Richthofen sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
von Richthofen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
von Richthofen trying to mount his opponent but Stifler defends it.
von Richthofen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stifler with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
von Richthofen is trying to control. Stifler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stifler is looking to improve his position.
von Richthofen is thwarting Stifler 's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Manfred von Richthofen will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stifler stuffs the takedown attempt from von Richthofen. von Richthofen gets slowly back to his feet.
von Richthofen tries to work over Stifler 's front leg with a kick but Stifler checks it.
von Richthofen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stifler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
von Richthofen shoots in looking for a takedown. Stifler tries to sprawl out of it but von Richthofen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stifler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stifler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stifler has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from von Richthofen.
Stifler circles away from the clinch attempt.
von Richthofen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stifler tries to avoid it but von Richthofen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stifler to the ground. Stifler escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stifler appears to be looking for a big counter.
Steve Stifler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manfred von Richthofen.
von Richthofen wants to clinch up but Stifler keeps it at a distance.
Stifler changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Stifler thuds a left hand into von Richthofen's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the liver by von Richthofen. Beautiful body shot.
Stifler feints a jab promting von Richthofen to slip. Stifler then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. von Richthofen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

von Richthofen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stifler manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Stifler looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stifler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. von Richthofen manages to get himself to full guard.

von Richthofen trying to control the position.
von Richthofen pulls Stifler in close to prevent any damage.
Stifler working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of von Richthofen's head.

Stifler thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
von Richthofen working a defensive guard here.
Stifler preventing the sweep.
von Richthofen trying to control the position.
Stifler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
von Richthofen wants to sweep but no luck.
von Richthofen keeps trying to improve his position.
von Richthofen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stifler won't allow von Richthofen to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
von Richthofen working a defensive guard here.
von Richthofen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
von Richthofen wants to control the position but Stifler says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Stifler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stifler is thwarting von Richthofen's attempts to control the position.
von Richthofen manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
von Richthofen pulls Stifler in close to prevent any damage.
von Richthofen 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.
Stifler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
von Richthofen trying to keep a closed guard but Stifler is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stifler throws a looping overhand right but von Richthofen ducks down to avoid it.

von Richthofen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
von Richthofen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stifler lands a shoulder strike.
von Richthofen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
von Richthofen is trying to maintain a safe position but Stifler gets an underhook and turns von Richthofen into the cage.
Manfred von Richthofen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stifler goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
von Richthofen throws a head punch that misses.
von Richthofen is looking to take this one to the mat.
A head punch on the inside from Stifler fails to land.
von Richthofen tries to score a body lock takedown but Stifler shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Stifler misses with a punch on the inside.
von Richthofen blocking some punches.
von Richthofen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
von Richthofen wants to stall.
von Richthofen can't find room to land a body shot as Stifler controls the action.
Stifler tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from von Richthofen.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
von Richthofen struggles to land a body shot inside as Stifler controls his hands.
A nice left hand lands by von Richthofen.
von Richthofen lands a right hand.
Stifler prevents a body shot from von Richthofen.
von Richthofen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
von Richthofen wants a takedown but no success here.
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 Steve Stifler will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Stifler fails to land with a series of punches.
Stifler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
von Richthofen scores with a decent looking hook.

Stifler closes the distance and clinches.
von Richthofen digs a right hand underneath Stifler 's ribcage. Stifler let out a lung full of air as it connected.
von Richthofen can't find room to land a body shot as Stifler controls the action.
Stifler tries to throw a body punch but von Richthofen avoids it by throwing Stifler back against the cage.
Stifler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
von Richthofen tries to work over Stifler 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

von Richthofen lands a takedown into guard.
Stifler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in von Richthofen's guard.

von Richthofen is pulling down on Stifler 's head to control his posture.
von Richthofen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now von Richthofen is on top in guard.

von Richthofen wants to pass the guard but Stifler is keeping the position.
Stifler looking to hit a scissor sweep but von Richthofen is one step ahead there.
von Richthofen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
von Richthofen wants to pass the guard but Stifler is keeping the position.

Stifler is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Stifler looking for a guillotine here but von Richthofen defends easily.

Stifler working for a triangle but von Richthofen defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
von Richthofen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
von Richthofen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Stifler pulls von Richthofen in close to his closed guard and prevents von Richthofen from doing any damage or advancing position.
von Richthofen wants to control from the top but Stifler keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stifler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. von Richthofen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stifler keeping full guard, as von Richthofen tries to pass.
Stifler is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

von Richthofen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for von Richthofen.
von Richthofen wants to sweep here but Stifler controlling him for the moment.
Stifler lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stifler won't allow von Richthofen to sweep him here.
Manfred von Richthofen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stifler lands a couple of decent looking shots.
von Richthofen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
von Richthofen is controlling Stifler 's posture.
Stifler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Let's hope that von Richthofen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
von Richthofen looking for a sweep. Not yet von Richthofen, not yet.
von Richthofen pulls Stifler in close to his closed guard and prevents Stifler from doing any damage or advancing position.
Stifler controlling from the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stifler preventing the sweep.

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 Steve Stifler .
I think Stifler has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!