PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zachary Crawford (ranked 5862 p4p, 5262 weight class) and Chris Stillman (ranked 204 p4p, 194 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Crawford
vs
Stillman

180 cm
18
130
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
18
130
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Concrete Clothing (Laundry Re Stock Coming Soon)

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zachary Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chris Stillman!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Crawford lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stillman has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stillman and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Crawford looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stillman trying to control here.

Crawford stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Crawford changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stillman tries to avoid it but Crawford manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stillman to the ground. Stillman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stillman.
Crawford tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Stillman counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Crawford shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stillman is trying to defend but Crawford finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Crawford really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
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!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stillman tries to get to full guard but Crawford has control of the leg.
Stillman is still trying to improve position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stillman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stillman is trying to keep Crawford in close.
Crawford has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Crawford is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Crawford gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Stillman counters with a three punch combo that has Crawford backing up. Crawford nods at Stillman to acknowledge the strikes.

Crawford shoots in and bounces Stillman off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Crawford won't allow Stillman to get back to his feet.
Crawford works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Stillman is trying to maintain the position but Crawford is very close to passing his half guard.
Crawford frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stillman is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Stillman throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Crawford controlling from mount.
We've been informed that Stillman has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Stillman is wriggling around trying to escape.
Stillman sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Stillman is looking to control Crawford's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stillman avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crawford blocks the strikes from Stillman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Crawford is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crawford seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Stillman for as long as he can get away with.
Stillman tries to roll over but Crawford keeps him under control.
Crawford knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stillman on the ground.
Crawford performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Crawford tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stillman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Zachary Crawford will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stillman lands a head shot.
Stillman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Crawfords jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Crawford moves to clinch but Stillman breaks away
and Stillman counters with a nice uppercut.
We've been told by Crawford's head coaches at Cozad MMA St Petersburg that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Zachary Crawford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crawford blocks a low kick nicely.
A head kick by Crawford misses
and Stillman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stillman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Crawford manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Crawford gets a double leg takedown into Stillman's guard.
Stillman trying to keep a closed guard but Crawford is proving a slippery customer.

Crawford stands and steps away. Stillman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford misses with a kick to the body.
Stillman works Crawford's body with a nice hook.

Crawford looking to score a takedown here. Stillman is defending well but Crawford drives through and ends up in Stillman's guard.
Crawford passes Stillman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Stillman is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Crawford's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Crawford's back!
Crawford wants to escape the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stillman is not going to allow Crawford to sit and survive in this position.
Stillman throwing sloppy strikes.
Stillman lands a shot to the head.
Stillman trying to control momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Stillman.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Stillman's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Crawford is really stuck here.
Stillman throwing sloppy strikes.
Crawford can't escape the position.
Stillman misses with a punch to the head.
Even with his hooks in, Stillman manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Stillman has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Even with his hooks in, Stillman manages to miss with strikes from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Crawford covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Stillman misses with an elbow to the head.
Stillman throwing sloppy strikes.
Stillman trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Crawford covering up well and avoiding damage.
Crawford trying to control the hands but Stillman won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stillman missing with punches from the back.
Stillman misses with an elbow to the head.
Crawford avoids the strikes from Stillman.
Stillman keeps control of the position as Crawford tries to break free.
Stillman is looking to control Crawford but Crawford is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Crawford has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Stillman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Stillman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Stillman lands with a straight right. Crawford didn't see that one coming.
Crawford throws a sloppy head kick
and Stillman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chris Stillman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stillman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Crawford circles away quickly and effectively.
Crawford half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Stillman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stillman tries to close the distance and clinch but Crawford swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stillman cracks Crawford with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Crawford showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stillman.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stillman scores with a nice right hand.

Crawford shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stillman is looking to control Crawford's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stillman avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford trying to pass the guard but Stillman defending well.
Stillman pushes Crawford off but Crawford dives into side control.
Stillman pushes Crawford away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Crawford gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Stillman manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Crawford is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Crawford has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two 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.

Crawford decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Crawford throws a sloppy head kick
and Stillman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Crawford tries to clinch but Stillman is having none of it.
Stillman on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Chris Stillman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crawford takes a swing at Stillman's ribcage but misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Crawford scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stillman tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Crawford manages to move to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stillman tries to hold on but Crawford pushes him away.
Stillman really wants to buck Crawford off and get back to his feet.
Crawford looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Crawford prevents Stillman from getting the reversal.
Stillman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Crawford lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Crawford in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Stillman tries to reverse the position but Crawford maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Crawford connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Stillman is just holding on here. Crawford manages to take his back.
Stillman tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Crawford avoids the attempt from Stillman to control.
Crawford controlling from mount.
Zachary Crawford overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stillman wants to control but Crawford is having none of it.
Crawford controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zachary Crawford showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Crawford 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zachary Crawford!
A pretty intense looking Zachary Crawford took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.