PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Schaub (ranked 712 p4p, 104 weight class) and Hector Stefan (ranked 444 p4p, 66 weight class). Stefan has chosen Onward to Victory as his entrance music. 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?

Schaub
vs
Stefan

179 cm
26
219 lbs
20 - 8 - 1

190 cm
38
214 lbs
27 - 17 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
UnderGround Supplements

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Bryan Schaub!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Hector Stefan!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schaub scores with a nice head shot.
Schaub swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Stefan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stefan looks for the body kick but Schaub saw that one coming.
Stefan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Stefan lands with a good body shot.
Stefan misses with a few strikes there.
Stefan swats away the attempt to clinch by Schaub.
Stefan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Schaub throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stefan counters with a stiff right hand.
Schaub closes the distance and clinches up with Stefan, looking for a takedown. Schaub pushes Stefan against the ropes but Stefan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Schaub looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Stefan misses.
Stefan's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Stefan duly obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schaub tries to clinch there but Stefan circles away.
Schaub moves out of range of the body kick from Stefan.

Schaub closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stefan quickly recovers to half guard.
Stefan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Schaub.
Schaub is looking to advance position but Stefan won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schaub trying to control the action but Stefan is working from the bottom.

Schaub seems to be working for a kimura but Stefan defends the submission attempt.
Stefan is staying active underneath Schaub, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stefan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stefan wants to get back to his feet.
Schaub content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Schaub trying to control the action but Stefan is working from the bottom.

Schaub is looking for a kimura but Stefan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Schaub to get the leverage.
Schaub looks to land a strike but Stefan avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Schaub trying to control the position from guard on top but Stefan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schaub trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Schaub wants to control from the top but Stefan keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Stefan pushes Schaub away with a front kick.
Schaub looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Schaub. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schaub fails with an attempt to clinch.
Schaub shoots in looking for a takedown but Stefan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Schaub's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stefan scores with a nice strike.
Schaub throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stefan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Stefan lands a left and a right that send Schaub crashing to the mat, dazed. Stefan thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Schaub is rocked!

Schaub scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Oh Schaub is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
Stefan is looking to escape.
Stefan is looking for a sweep. Schaub is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Schaub seems to have got his legs back now.
Schaub wants to pass to mount but Stefan is defending the position.
Schaub seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stefan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Schaub is really struggling to control Stefan but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Schaub lands a nice short elbow.

Schaub is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stefan sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stefan is concentrating on defense, preventing Schaub from advancing position.
Stefan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Schaub is working away from the top position though.

Schaub is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Stefan still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Stefan has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Schaub struggling a bit here.
Schaub is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Blood & Sand that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Schaub being controlled for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Schaub fails to land the takedown.
Schaub fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Schaub instigates a clinch.
Stefan is trying to break free.
Stefan tries to break free but Schaub pushes him back against the ropes.
Schaub goes for a takedown in the clinch but Stefan prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Schaub. 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.
Schaub letting Stefan take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Schaub goes for a takedown in the clinch but Stefan prevents it.
Stefan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Schaub is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Stefan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stefan is trying to break the clinch but Schaub has him pressed against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Schaub keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stefan's efforts to push away.
Schaub lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stefan is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stefan is trying to break free.
Schaub goes for a takedown attempt but Stefan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Bryan Schaub seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schaub throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stefan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Schaub does no damage.
Stefan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Stefan.
Stefan tries a head kick but it misses.
Stefan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That kick from Stefan tenderised Schaub's leg. Schaub is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice uppercut lands for Stefan. That snapped Schaub's head back.
Schaub closes the distance and clinches up with Stefan, looking for a takedown. Schaub pushes Stefan against the ropes but Stefan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Stefan.
Schaub shoots in looking for a takedown. Stefan tries to sprawl out of it but Schaub keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Stefan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Schaub bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Schaub shoots in looking for a takedown. Stefan tries to sprawl out of it but Schaub keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Stefan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Schaub moves out of range of the body kick.
Schaub half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schaub throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stefan was covering up waiting for the punch and Schaub finishes the takedown easily into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stefan keeping moving, preventing Schaub from controlling successfully.
Stefan wants to get back to his feet but Schaub is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Schaub wants to control from the top but Stefan keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Stefan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Schaub looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Stefan is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Stefan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stefan wants it to stay on the feet.
Schaub dives in and grabs Stefan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stefan pushes down on Schaub's head and hops out.
Schaub just misses with a punch to the body.
Stefan throws a one two combo.

It looks like Bryan Schaub has been cut.
Stefan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stefan has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Stefan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Schaub circles away quickly and effectively.
Stefan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stefan throws an overhand right that lands on Schaub's shoulder, as Schaub tries to avoid the shot.
A combination from Stefan does no damage.
Schaub looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stefan is fending him off so far but Schaub persists. Nope, Stefan circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Schaub. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sloppy strikes from Stefan. Those never looked like landing.
Schaub feinted with a counter takedown.
Schaub tries to clinch up.
Stefan walks into a stiff left hand from Schaub.
Stefan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Schaub half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Schaub ducks under a wild hook from Stefan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stefan tries to sprawl but Schaub drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Schaub seems to be working for a kimura but Stefan defends the submission attempt.
Bryan Schaub overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Schaub looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Schaub is trying to control the action in half guard but Stefan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Schaub is looking for a kimura but Stefan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Schaub to get the leverage.

Schaub is working for a kimura here but Stefan manages to reverse the position and he's now in Schaub's guard.

Schaub is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stefan defends well.
Bryan Schaub has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stefan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schaub is keeping the position for now.
Schaub keeping moving, preventing Stefan from controlling successfully.

Schaub is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Schaub tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Stefan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Schaub's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Schaub looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stefan passes into side control.
Hector Stefan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Schaub is being controlled here.
Stefan wants to stand but Schaub is controlling his arm.
Schaub trying to remain calm as Stefan controls from the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Stefan prevents Schaub from escaping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schaub moves away from the strike by Stefan.
Hector Stefan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stefan lands with a hook. Schaub tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A jab from Stefan does it's job there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Stefan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stefan winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Stefan!
After winning the bout, Hector Stefan thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.