PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Warren Justice (ranked 6620 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Stratton (ranked 6580 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Justice
vs
Stratton

200 cm
20
290 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Warren Justice!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sam Stratton!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Stratton as Justice shoots in.
And Stratton tries to counter it with a takedown but Justice pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Justice misses with a double jab

and Stratton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Stratton misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Justice.
Justice is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Stratton is defending well.
Justice is trying to push Stratton away but Stratton has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stratton lands a left hand that snaps the head of Justice backwards.
Justice tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stratton smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Warren Justice. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Justice tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stratton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Justice dives in and grabs Stratton's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stratton pushes down on Justice's head and hops out.
Justice could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Stratton cracks a nice hook into Justice's ribs.
Justice tries to clinch there but Stratton circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Justice tries to clinch but Stratton is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Justice fails with the takedown.
Justice tries for a takedown but Stratton circles away easily
and Stratton counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Justice is breathing heavily.
Justice tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stratton paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Stratton darts in and clinches Justice up against the cage.
Justice is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stratton breaks the clinch.
Stratton throws a right and a left that both miss.

Justice gets tackled into the cage by Stratton. Stratton maintains the clinch.

Stratton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Justice shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stratton as he jumps to the side.

Stratton pushes Justice up against the cage in a clinch.
Justice prevents the takedown attempt.

Stratton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Justice scores with a nice body kick.
Justice misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Justice has Stratton up against the cage in a clinch.

Stratton breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Stratton with that takedown attempt.
Justice tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Stratton manages to circle out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stratton throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Warren Justice has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stratton keeps the fight on the outside.
Stratton throws a counter combo.
Horrible takedown attempt by Stratton or perhaps it was just good defense by Justice, which made it look bad.
Stratton throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Justice's head.
Justice tries to clinch there but Stratton circles away.

Stratton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Justice doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Justice wants to get back to striking at distance but Stratton won't allow it.
Justice working hard to break the clinch.

Stratton jumps guard.
Justice will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Justice looking to sit in guard and control but Stratton gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stratton gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stratton gets a clinch.

Stratton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stratton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Justice wants to clinch
enabling Stratton to counter with a crisp jab.
Justice tries to clinch but Stratton is having none of it.
Stratton unleashes a big counter combination but Justice bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Justice tries to keep at a distance but Stratton has taken the fight into the clinch.
Justice keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stratton's efforts to push away.

Justice successfully pulls guard.
Stratton trying to control the position from guard on top but Justice is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Justice controlling Stratton's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stratton not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stratton's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Let's hope that Stratton 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Justice looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stratton is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Stratton dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Warren Justice's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Justice falls off balance throwing a combination
and Justice takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Stratton gets a clinch.

Stratton jumps guard.
Justice wants to control from the top but Stratton keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Justice accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stratton keeping moving, preventing Justice from controlling successfully.
Stratton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Justice trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Justice is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stratton trying to keep a closed guard but Justice is proving a slippery customer.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Justice trying to control but Stratton is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Justice wants to clinch up but Stratton keeps it at a distance.
Stratton lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Warren Justice is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stratton closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Justice did well to prevent Stratton getting side control.
Stratton controlling the action here.
Justice is concentrating on defense, preventing Stratton from advancing position.
Justice gets full guard.

Justice working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stratton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stratton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stratton wants to stand and escape but instead Justice has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stratton is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Justice presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Justice drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stratton pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stratton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Justice gets a double leg takedown into Stratton's guard.

Stratton pushes Justice off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sam Stratton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Justice misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stratton lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Stratton.
Justice shoots in but no luck this time.
Stratton shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Justice eats them both and turns towards Stratton to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Justice moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stratton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stratton drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stratton won't allow Justice to get back to his feet.
Stratton is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Justice trying to keep a closed guard but Stratton is proving a slippery customer.
Stratton stopping the sweep attempt from Justice.
Stratton trying to control the position from guard on top but Justice is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Justice looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Justice trying to keep a closed guard but Stratton is proving a slippery customer.
Stratton trying to control the position from guard on top but Justice is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stratton shoots in but no luck this time.
Justice shoots for a double leg takedown but Stratton sprawls well. He's pushed Justice's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Warren Justice. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Justice takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Justice connects with a high kick.
Stratton lands a jab to Justice's midsection.
Justice throws a head kick but Stratton moves out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Stratton!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Justice shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stratton pinned against the cage. Stratton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A nice combination there by Stratton.
Justice with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stratton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stratton.
Justice misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stratton takes a knee right on the jaw!

Stratton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Justice doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Stratton rushes Justice and presses him up against the cage.
Justice tries to pull guard but Stratton won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Justice tries to score a body lock takedown but Stratton shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Warren Justice. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stratton stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Stratton manages to break the clinch.

Stratton drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stratton decides to stand back up. Stratton steps back and let's Justice get back to his feet.

Justice gets a clinch.

Stratton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Justice closes the distance and pushes Stratton back into the cage.
Sam Stratton seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Justice has Stratton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stratton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Justice has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stratton uses from the top position.
Sam Stratton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stratton lands a couple of digs.

Stratton stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Stratton looking to score a takedown here. Justice is defending well but Stratton drives through and ends up in Justice's guard.

Justice is working an open guard so Stratton takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Stratton throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Justice's head.
Stratton is looking to slow Justice down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Stratton moves into range and clinches up with Justice.
Justice fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Justice wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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

Stratton looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Justice pulls Stratton in close to prevent any damage.
Justice tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Justice not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stratton engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Justice working a defensive guard but Stratton manages to pass into side control anyway.
Justice being controlled for a moment.
Justice is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Justice has one of Stratton's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Stratton working away.
Stratton tries to move to mount but Justice blocks the move with his legs.
Stratton cracks Justice with a big right hand but Justice just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Justice sneaks back into half guard.
Stratton wants to stand but Justice has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Warren Justice has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sam Stratton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Justice looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Stratton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stratton has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight for Sam Stratton!
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight for Sam Stratton!
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight for Sam Stratton!

Sam Stratton wins by unanimous decision!