PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Azumah Nelson (ranked 2381 p4p, 234 weight class) and Kane Stanfield (ranked 3273 p4p, 305 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Nelson
vs
Stanfield

178 cm
26
148 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

180 cm
23
158 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Azumah Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kane Stanfield!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Russell Pearce and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nelson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nelson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nelson throws a big shot that misses.
Stanfield flicks out a counter leg kick but Nelson steps away.
Stanfield misses with a straight right.
Nelson throws a series of punches but Stanfield avoids them all with ease.
Nice defenses there by Stanfield.
Stanfield throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stanfield misses with a body shot.
Nelson throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Nelson misses with a body shot.
Nelson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nelson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nelson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nelson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stanfield moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stanfield looks to land a left hand but Nelson moved out of range nicely.
Nelson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stanfield manages to avoid it.
Nelson 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.
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!
Nelson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stanfield.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanfield lands a head shot.
We've been informed that Stanfield has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Stanfield clinches up against the cage.

Nelson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Some bone on bone action there as Stanfield checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sloppy strikes from Nelson. Those never looked like landing.
Nelson scores with a jab.

Stanfield takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stanfield.
Stanfield tries to stall but Nelson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Stanfield throws a punch but it's blocked by Nelson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nelson.

Nelson manages to break the clinch.
Stanfield tries to score with a low kick but Nelson moves his leg out of the way.
Stanfield throws a head kick that misses.
Stanfield connects with a crisp jab.
Nelson throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nelson just misses with a punch to the body.
Nelson throws a low kick, looking for Stanfield's leg but Stanfield calmly moves out of range.
Nelson misses with a looping left.
Stanfield takes one on the button.
Nelson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stanfield.
No joy there for Nelson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nelson tests Stanfield's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nelson blocks the body kick.
Stanfield ducks under a wild hook from Nelson.
Nelson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stanfield's head backwards.
Stanfield throws a head kick but Nelson moves out of range.
Nelson staying out of range there.
Stanfield throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Nelson misses its target.
Stanfield blocks a jab.
A little jabbing left from Stanfield on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nelson walks into a straight right hand from Stanfield.
Stanfield takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Nelson connects with a body shot.
Stanfield lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Stanfield showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nelson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A jab lands there for Nelson.
Good exchange - Nelson coming out on top.
Nelson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Good work by Nelson as he checks the leg kick.
Nelson is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Nelson misses with a series of wild punches.
It seemed like Stanfield was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stanfield dodges the punch combination from Nelson.
Nelson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stanfield moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stanfield throws a big shot that misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nelson.
Nelson misses the shot to the body.
Stanfield shapes to counter with a head kick.
Nelson misses with a series of wild punches.
Nelson slips a straight right by Stanfield.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stanfield throws a combination. Nelson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stanfield feints and then cracks Nelson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nelson down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson drops his hands momentarily and Stanfield takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Azumah Nelson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nelson misses with a series of wild punches.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Nelson.
Stanfield avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A good leg kick by Nelson.
Stanfield misses with a looping left.
Nelson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Nelson. That snapped Stanfield's head back.
Nelson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stanfield swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stanfield takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nelson throws a body kick that misses.
Nelson tries to bum rush Stanfield with a series of wild strikes but Stanfield uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stanfield fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nelson checks it well.
Stanfield slips under a jab from Nelson.
Stanfield connects with a solid leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Nelson. Beautiful body shot.
Nelson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stanfield moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nelson takes a swing at Stanfield's ribcage but misses.
Stanfield showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nelson.
Nelson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Stanfield connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stanfield throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nelson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nelson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stanfield can do to turn this around?
Nelson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stanfield takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nelson keeps the fight on the outside.
Stanfield moves out of range of the strikes.
Stanfield throws a leg kick but Nelson checks it.
A jab lands there for Nelson.
Stanfield works the jab nicely.
Stanfield moves out of range of the body kick from Nelson.
Stanfield misses with a hook.
A cross from Nelson lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Left hook, right uppercut from Stanfield.
Stanfield tries to land a leg kick but Nelson saw it coming and moves away.
Stanfield throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nelson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stanfield finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanfield throws a jab but it's blocked by Nelson.
Nelson checks the leg kick.
Nelson lands with a hook. Stanfield tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stanfield lands with a shot to the body.
Stanfield throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A left lands for Nelson.
Stanfield misses with an uppercut.
Stanfield misses with a straight left.
Stanfield walks into a stiff left hand from Nelson.
Stanfield uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nelson.
Nelson keeps Stanfield at a distance using the push kick.
Stanfield throws a wild body kick that Nelson sees coming a mile off.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Nelson here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Stanfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nelson.
Nelson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Stanfield counter with a right hand.
Stanfield delivers a nice body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stanfield is looking to slow Nelson down with leg kicks.
Nelson throws a series of punches but Stanfield avoids them all with ease.
Stanfield loads up on a big right hand but Nelson slips the punch.
Nelson dodges the punch combination from Stanfield.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nelson throws a series of punches but Stanfield moves out of range.
Nelson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stanfield momentarily.
A head kick misses from Stanfield.
Stanfield misses with a looping right.
Nelson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stanfield.
Nelson throws a body kick that misses.
Nelson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stanfield takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Stanfield wants to land a leg kick but Nelson is out of range.
Nelson moves out of range as Stanfield strikes.
Nice body punch from Nelson.
Stanfield ducks under a wild hook from Nelson.
Stanfield slips a jab and a cross from Nelson.
Stanfield looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nelson throws a push kick but Stanfield slaps the foot to one side.
Stanfield drops his hands momentarily and Nelson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Stanfield throws a hook but Nelson blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nelson scores with a jab to the head.
Stanfield moves out of range of the body kick from Nelson.
Nelson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nelson slips a jab and a cross from Stanfield.
Stanfield connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nelson's hands.
Stanfield has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nelson throws a solid leg kick but Stanfield takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nelson.
Nelson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Stanfield takes one on the button.
Stanfield with a hook.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stanfield.
Nelson clobbers Stanfield with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nelson misses with a series of wild punches.
Stanfield swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Nelson misses the target.
Stanfield misses with a body kick.
A big right from Stanfield misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson blocks a head kick by Stanfield.
Nelson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stanfield throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nelson.
Nice uppercut there from Nelson.
Nelson throws a nice looking combination but Stanfield bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stanfield scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nelson throws a push kick but Stanfield slaps the foot to one side.
Good work by Nelson as he checks the leg kick.
It looked like Nelson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Stanfield throws a shot from downtown. Nelson moves away and avoids it.
Nelson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nelson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stanfield.
Nelson stalks Stanfield and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Stanfield's face. Stanfield staggers backwards, shaken.
Nelson blocks a head kick by Stanfield.
Nelson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stanfield circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nelson thuds his shin into the meat of Stanfield's side.
Stanfield misses with an uppercut.
Stanfield throws a lazy right hand but Nelson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nelson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nelson connects with the punch.
Stanfield throws out a loose jab but Nelson uses good head movement to avoid it.
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 Azumah Nelson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stanfield misses with a hook. Nelson ducked under it nicely.
Nelson misses the jab.
Nelson throws a looping overhand right but Stanfield ducks down to avoid it.
Stanfield appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nelson throws out a loose jab but Stanfield uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stanfield cracks the inside of Nelson's front leg.
Stanfield lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stanfield blocks a leg kick.
Nelson lunges at Stanfield with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stanfield's hand.
Nelson connects with a single shot there.
Nelson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stanfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nelson.
Nelson throws a leg kick but Stanfield sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stanfield throws a big counter head kick but Nelson avoids it with no problem.
Nelson throws a front kick that sends Stanfield stumbling back into the cage.
Nelson looks for the body kick but Stanfield saw that one coming.
Stanfield replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Nelson blocks it well.
Stanfield has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nelson.
Nelson misses with an uppercut. Stanfield saw that one coming.
A bone on bone clash there as Stanfield blocks the leg kick.
Stanfield throws a head kick but Nelson moves out of range.
Stanfield takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stanfield throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson scores with a three punch combo!
Stanfield throws a hook but Nelson blocks it.
Azumah Nelson is winning the standup battle so far.
Stanfield blocks a jab.
Stanfield fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nelson.
Stanfield tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Stanfield.
Nelson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A swing and a miss from Nelson.
Nelson lands a head shot.

Stanfield takes the fight into the clinch.
Stanfield throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nelsons head.
Nelson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stanfield lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nelson backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nelson lands a shot to the body.
Stanfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nelson's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield prevents Nelson from breaking the clinch.
Nelson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Azumah Nelson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stanfield is trying to stall.
Stanfield throws a punch but it's blocked by Nelson.
Stanfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nelson's elbow.
Nelson prevents a body shot from Stanfield.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stanfield.
Stanfield cracks Nelson with a nice body shot.
Stanfield struggles to land a body shot inside as Nelson controls his hands.
Nelson blocks a body shot from Stanfield.
Stanfield misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stanfield lands a shoulder strike.
Nelson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stanfield misses with some punches.
Stanfield is pushing Nelson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nelson.
Stanfield misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stanfield doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stanfield content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nelson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stanfield doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nelson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stanfield tries a body shot but Nelson blocks it.
Nelson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nelson lands a right hand.
Stanfield fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Stanfield fails to land.
Nelson blocks an uppercut.
Kane Stanfield has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nelson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stanfield tries to clinch up.
Stanfield tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stanfield misses with a body kick.
Stanfield throws a looping overhand right but Nelson ducks down to avoid it.
Stanfield takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nelson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kane Stanfield.
I think Nelson 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight for Azumah Nelson!
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight for Azumah Nelson!
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight for Azumah Nelson!

Azumah Nelson wins by unanimous decision!