PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between George Stephanopoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kip Dynamite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Stephanopoulos might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to ABC News Theme Song. George Stephanopoulos has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stephanopoulos
vs
Dynamite

168 cm
22
138 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
136 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Outback Jack's House of Crack
Gifts of the Rainforest

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Stephanopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kip Dynamite!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephanopoulos checks the leg kick nicely there.
Dynamite tries to clinch up.
Stephanopoulos looks for a takedown but Dynamite sprawls well.
Dynamite is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Stephanopoulos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dynamite but Dynamite pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dynamite walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stephanopoulos checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Stephanopoulos looks for a takedown but Dynamite sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Stephanopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dynamite is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephanopoulos keeps the fight on the outside.
Dynamite doesn't manage to clinch there - Stephanopoulos circles away.
Dynamite tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stephanopoulos.
Dynamite is looking to clinch.
Dynamite tries to clinch but Stephanopoulos moves out of range.
Stephanopoulos thows a leg kick but Dynamite checks it
and Dynamite counters with a three punch combo that has Stephanopoulos backing up. Stephanopoulos nods at Dynamite to acknowledge the strikes.

Stephanopoulos is rocked!

Stephanopoulos drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Oh Stephanopoulos is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stephanopoulos prevents Dynamite from escaping the position.
Stephanopoulos seems to have got his legs back now.
Stephanopoulos is trying to move to mount but Dynamite reverses beautifully and ends up in Stephanopoulos's guard.
Dynamite seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dynamite wanted to stand there but Stephanopoulos had control of the position.
Dynamite must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Dynamite avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stephanopoulos looking for a sweep. Not yet Stephanopoulos, not yet.
Stephanopoulos is looking to sweep but instead, Dynamite has passed into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Stephanopoulos has a closed guard, preventing Dynamite from standing up.

Dynamite decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stephanopoulos, up you get!
George Stephanopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dynamite looks gassed!
Stephanopoulos throws the kick towards the body but Dynamite avoids it.
Dynamite is looking to clinch but Stephanopoulos is avoiding it.
Stephanopoulos throws a right hand that misses

and Dynamite counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Stephanopoulos goes for a takedown attempt but Dynamite pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Stephanopoulos shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Stephanopoulos showed some decent athleticism there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dynamite knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dynamite moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Dynamite wants to stand but Stephanopoulos is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kip Dynamite will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stephanopoulos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Dynamite as Stephanopoulos shoots in.
Dynamite tries to clinch but Stephanopoulos is having none of it.
A punch combination from Stephanopoulos misses.
Dynamite tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stephanopoulos tries for a takedown but Dynamite sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dynamite fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dynamite tries to clinch but Stephanopoulos is having none of it.
Stephanopoulos shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Stephanopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dynamite fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dynamite throws a quick inside leg kick.
Dynamite is looking to clinch but Stephanopoulos is avoiding it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dynamite looks to land a body kick but Stephanopoulos moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dynamite is looking to clinch but Stephanopoulos is avoiding it.
Stephanopoulos shoots in but no luck this time.
Stephanopoulos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dynamite but Dynamite pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dynamite tries to clinch there but Stephanopoulos circles away.
Stephanopoulos tries for a takedown but Dynamite sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Dynamite clinches up with Stephanopoulos and pushes him back against the cage.

Dynamite breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Stephanopoulos as Dynamite shoots in.
Stephanopoulos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dynamite as he jumps to the side.
Stephanopoulos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dynamite swivels and escapes.
Stephanopoulos tries for a takedown but Dynamite sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
George Stephanopoulos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stephanopoulos scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos works his foot free and advances to mount.
Stephanopoulos landing strikes, looking to finish!
Stephanopoulos punishing his opponent with strikes.
Dynamite tries to hold on but Stephanopoulos postures up.

Stephanopoulos goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Dynamite is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stephanopoulos has a closed guard, preventing Dynamite from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dynamite advances to half guard.
Stephanopoulos misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Dynamite is looking to take a break and control but Stephanopoulos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dynamite tries to stand but can't do so whilst Stephanopoulos controls his leg.
Stephanopoulos wants to control but Dynamite is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dynamite prevents Stephanopoulos from improving his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dynamite fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dynamite misses with a two punch combination.
Dynamite stuffs the takedown attempt from Stephanopoulos. Stephanopoulos gets slowly back to his feet.
Stephanopoulos lands a jab to the head.
Stephanopoulos shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dynamite pinned against the cage. Dynamite gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stephanopoulos throws a hook but Dynamite avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kip Dynamite will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stephanopoulos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dynamite moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stephanopoulos keeps the fight on the outside.
Stephanopoulos misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stephanopoulos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick misses from Stephanopoulos.
Dynamite tries to clinch there but Stephanopoulos circles away.
Dynamite is looking to clinch.
Stephanopoulos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dynamite as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dynamite wants to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stephanopoulos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dynamite but Dynamite pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Stephanopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stephanopoulos.
Dynamite is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dynamite tries to clinch up but Stephanopoulos circles away and keeps his distance.
Dynamite doesn't manage to clinch there - Stephanopoulos circles away.
Stephanopoulos looks for a takedown but Dynamite sprawls well.
Dynamite is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dynamite doesn't manage to clinch there - Stephanopoulos circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stephanopoulos shoots in but Dynamite avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stephanopoulos closes the distance and clinches up with Dynamite, looking for a takedown. Stephanopoulos pushes Dynamite against the cage but Dynamite circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dynamite fails with the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Dynamite. No joy for Stephanopoulos on that attempt.
Dynamite fails with the takedown

and Stephanopoulos counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Dynamite can't keep his opponent in guard - Stephanopoulos advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Dynamite is refusing to be controlled, as Stephanopoulos sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephanopoulos moves into full mount! Dynamite won't be happy about that!
Stephanopoulos is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Dynamite can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Stephanopoulos pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Stephanopoulos throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Dynamite because Stephanopoulos loaded up on that one.
Stephanopoulos misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Dynamite really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stephanopoulos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dynamite avoids a series of strikes thrown by Stephanopoulos.
Dynamite is trying to stand.
Dynamite tries to lock up and control but Stephanopoulos gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dynamite is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Stephanopoulos landing strikes from the mount and Dynamite is in trouble!

Dynamite defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Stephanopoulos.
Dynamite holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Stephanopoulos tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Dynamite squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Dynamite is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Stephanopoulos showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dynamite 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 Seu Braga scores the fight for George Stephanopoulos!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for George Stephanopoulos!
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for George Stephanopoulos!

George Stephanopoulos wins by unanimous decision!