PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brenden Abbott (ranked 765 p4p, 20 weight class) and Nasko Stefanov (ranked 1476 p4p, 34 weight class). Nasko Stefanov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Abbott
vs
Stefanov

179 cm
42
200 lbs
49 - 24 - 0

190 cm
26
210 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Vikai Gear

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 49 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brenden Abbott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nasko Stefanov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stefanov cracks Abbott with an open hand slap.
A combination from Stefanov does no damage.
Stefanov throws a shot to the body.
Abbott attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Stefanov cracks Abbott with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Abbott feints and then cracks Stefanov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stefanov down.
Abbott tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stefanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Abbott.
Abbott loads up on a big right hand but Stefanov slips the punch.
We've been hearing reports that Abbott has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Abbott checks a leg kick.
Abbott tried to counter with a leg kick but Stefanov avoided it.
Stefanov looks to throw the jab but Abbott is out of range.
Stefanov lands with a hook. Abbott tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stefanov throws a leg kick but Abbott moved away.
Stefanov misses with the combination.
Abbott feints and then cracks Stefanov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stefanov down.
Abbott throws the left hand but Stefanov avoids the punch easily.
We've been informed that Stefanov 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abbott misses with an uppercut. Stefanov saw that one coming.
Stefanov throws a leg kick but Abbott sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stefanov lands an overhand right.
Abbott checks a low kick from Stefanov.
Stefanov lands with a hook. Abbott tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stefanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stefanov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Abbott. Abbott obviously looking to wear him down.
Abbott uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stefanov.
Abbott throws a lazy right hand but Stefanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stefanov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Abbott throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Abbott steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stefanov.
Abbott feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Stefanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Abbott throws out the jab.
Stefanov connects with a nice looking jab.
Abbott jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stefanov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Abbott sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abbott bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stefanov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Abbott attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jab, jab by Stefanov - just one landing.
Stefanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Abbott. That did some damage!
Stefanov lands with a nice combination. Abbott backs away looking to recover.
Abbott throws a looping overhand right but Stefanov ducks down to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Abbott.
Stefanov tests Abbott's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stefanov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Abbott. Abbott circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Abbott misses the shot to the body.
Stefanov throws a series of punches but Abbott avoids them all with ease.
Abbott wants to slow Stefanov down by chopping away at his legs.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stefanov! But no joy.
Stefanov throws a body punch but Abbott moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott slips a straight right by Stefanov.
It looked like Abbott wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Abbott walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stefanov lands a lovely overhand right.
Abbott throws a big shot that misses.
Abbott is looking to slow Stefanov down with leg kicks.
Abbott pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Abbott avoids the head kick by Stefanov.
Abbott throws a right and a left that both miss.
A slow jab from Abbott misses its intended target.
Abbott throws a looping overhand right but Stefanov ducks down to avoid it.
Abbott avoids a punch combination nicely.
Abbott looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Abbott jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov misses with a leg kick.
Abbott throws a chopping leg kick but Stefanov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Abbott pivots, looking for a leg kick but Stefanov is out of range and Abbott settles back down.
Abbott uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stefanov.
Abbott throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Abbott throws a shot from downtown. Stefanov moves away and avoids it.
Stefanov throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Stefanov throws a hook but Abbott blocks it.
Stefanov checks the leg kick.
Stefanov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Abbott sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Stefanov backs away, Abbott returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Abbott throws an overhand right that lands on Stefanov's shoulder, as Stefanov tries to avoid the shot.
Nice shot lands for Stefanov.
Stefanov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Abbott counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stefanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Abbott.
Stefanov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Stefanov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nasko Stefanov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stefanov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stefanov ducks under a wild hook from Abbott.
Stefanov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Abbott is out of range.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Abbott might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Stefanov connects with the punch.
Stefanov throws a leg kick but Abbott sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Abbott slips a straight right by Stefanov.
Abbott avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Stefanov misses.
It looked like Abbott was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stefanov.
Stefanov throws a nice looking combination but Abbott bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A big left from Abbott misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stefanov looks to land a right hand but Abbott moved out of range.
Stefanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Abbott.
Abbott is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Stefanov's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Stefanov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Stefanov scores with a jab.
Abbott slips under a jab from Stefanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefanov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Abbott's head backwards.
Stefanov throws a jab when Abbott was well out of range.
Good shot there by Stefanov.
Stefanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Abbott tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stefanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Abbott.
Abbott throws a low kick but Stefanov avoids it.
Nasko Stefanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stefanov throws a series of punches but Abbott avoids them all with ease.
Abbott was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Stefanov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Stefanov misses the shot to the body.
Stefanov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nasko Stefanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stefanov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
It looked like Abbott wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Stefanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Abbott's head.
Stefanov digs a good hook to Abbott's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stefanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
It looked like Abbott was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stefanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov looks to land a combination but Abbott avoids it well.
Abbott looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stefanov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Abbott is out of range.
Abbott gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stefanov throws a solid leg kick but Abbott takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Stefanov.
Abbott is looking to counter punch.
Stefanov misses with a low kick as Abbott jumps back.
Stefanov throws a hook but Abbott avoids it easily.
Abbott moves away from the strike by Stefanov.
Stefanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stefanov is looking to slow Abbott down with leg kicks.
Stefanov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Stefanov misses with a combination
and Abbott counters with an inside leg kick.
Abbott connects with a solid leg kick.
Stefanov misses with a looping left.
Abbott was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Abbott tries a low kick but Stefanov avoids it.
Stefanov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov thuds his right hand into Abbott's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Stefanov checks a low kick from Abbott.
Stefanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Good exchange - Abbott coming out on top.
Abbott doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Stefanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Abbott moves away from the strike by Stefanov.
Abbott throws a leg kick
and Stefanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Abbott throws a leg kick but Stefanov moved away.
Abbott ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stefanov moves away.
Abbott throws a jab but it's blocked by Stefanov.
Stefanov misses with a two punch combination.
Abbott throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stefanov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stefanov jabs at Abbott's body.
Abbott swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abbott uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stefanov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abbott takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Abbott throws a chopping leg kick but Stefanov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stefanov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Abbott's sensitive parts.
Stefanov swings for the body but Abbott moves out of range.
Stefanov lands with a cross.
Stefanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stefanov loads up on a big right hand but Abbott slips the punch.
A good leg kick by Stefanov.
Abbott takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Abbott tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stefanov is able to avoid easily.
Abbott slips a straight right by Stefanov.
Stefanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Abbott was well out of range. Poor timing from Stefanov.
Abbott is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Abbott misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nasko Stefanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Abbott's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A solid leg kick lands there for Abbott.
Jab by Stefanov.
Stefanov defending well as Abbott loads up on a big left hand.
Stefanov throws a leg kick that misses.
Stefanov misses with the combination.
Jab from Stefanov.
Stefanov lands a head shot.
Abbott shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stefanov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stefanov looks to land a left hand but Abbott moved out of range nicely.
Stefanov jabs Abbott to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A jab lands there for Stefanov.
Stefanov misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Abbott was well out of range. Poor timing from Stefanov.
An attempted straight right counter from Abbott misses the target.
Stefanov scores with a jab to the body.
Stefanov tries to land a leg kick but Abbott saw it coming and moves away.
Abbott was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Abbott swings for the body but Stefanov moves out of range.
Abbott swings widly with a right hand
and Stefanov counters with a nice uppercut.
Stefanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Abbott finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Abbott's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stefanov under the eye.
Stefanov misses with a hook. Abbott ducked under it nicely.
Good exchange - Stefanov coming out on top.
Abbott throws a hook but Stefanov blocks it.
Stefanov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Abbott misses with a low kick.
A lazy left from Stefanov finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov cracks Abbott with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Abbott moves away from the strike by Stefanov.
Abbott throws a body shot but no joy.
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!
Stefanov throws a body punch but Abbott moves out of range.
Abbott ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Abbott appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Abbott moves forwards but Stefanov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Abbott looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stefanov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Abbott stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Stefanov throws a looping overhand right but Abbott ducks down to avoid it.
Stefanov misses with a body shot.
Stefanov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stefanov misses with a head kick.
Stefanov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Abbott has time to react.
Abbott throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stefanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nasko Stefanov 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.
Stefanov throws a combination. Abbott tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stefanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Abbott throws out a powerful jab.
Abbott throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Abbott checks a low kick from Stefanov.
Abbott scores with a leg kick.
Abbott avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Abbott is looking to chop away at Stefanov's legs.
Stefanov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Abbott counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stefanov throws a hook but Abbott avoids it easily.
Stefanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Abbott. That did some damage!
Stefanov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stefanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Abbott.
Abbott throwing a counter right hand but Stefanov manages to avoid it.
Brenden Abbott has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov misses with an uppercut
and Abbott counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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!
Abbott throws out a loose jab but Stefanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abbott takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Stefanov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Abbott misses with a low kick.
Stefanov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jab by Abbott.
Stefanov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Stefanov cracks Abbott with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Stefanov cracks the inside of Abbott's front leg.
Abbott gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stefanov lands with an overhand left.
Stefanov checks a leg kick nicely.
Abbott is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nasko Stefanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stefanov 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nasko Stefanov!
Nasko Stefanov took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Vikai Gear for their support in the buildup to the fight.