PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Stamboli (ranked 4536 p4p, 4638 weight class) and Leopoldo Martins (ranked 0 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.

Stamboli
vs
Martins

199 cm
24
225
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
21
250
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Johnny Stamboli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leopoldo Martins!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Emerson Jorge and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martins dives in for a single leg takedown but Stamboli sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stamboli scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Leopoldo Martins has been cut.
Martins looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stamboli is fending him off so far but Martins persists. Nope, Stamboli circles away and we're back to standing.

Stamboli has Martins up against the cage in a clinch.
Martins has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Martins can't break the clinch.
Stamboli looking for a takedown.
Stamboli looking for a takedown.
Martins wants to break free but Stamboli has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stamboli lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Martins has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Stamboli is on him like a limpet, forcing Martins back against the cage.
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!
Stamboli drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Stamboli. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stamboli lands a hook that snaps the head of Martins backwards.
Martins is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stamboli is defending well for now.
Martins working hard to break the clinch.
Martins is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stamboli is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Martins is defending well.
Martins just leaning against Stamboli, taking a breather.
Martins stalling in the clinch but Stamboli improves position.

Martins jumps guard.
Stamboli throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Martins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stamboli throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Martins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stamboli preventing the sweep.
Stamboli working some strikes from top position.

Martins has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Stamboli is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Stamboli has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Martins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Stamboli tries for a takedown but Martins manages to get underhooks.
Stamboli is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stamboli is working for takedown but Martins is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stamboli keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Martins's efforts to push away.
Martins is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martins tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stamboli blocks a body shot from Martins.

Stamboli turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Stamboli manages to end up in side control.
Martins defending against the ground and pound.

Stamboli stands up.
No luck for Martins with that takedown attempt.
Martins is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stamboli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamboli misses the jab.

Stamboli moves into the clinch successfully.
Martins is trying to pull guard but Stamboli has him pressed against the cage.
Martins wants to break free but Stamboli has control.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stamboli as Martins tries to tie him up.
Stamboli drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Martins gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Stamboli breaks from the clinch.
Stamboli throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Martins counter with a right hand.
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 Johnny Stamboli will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Leopoldo Martins'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.

Stamboli throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Stamboli rushes Martins and presses him up against the cage.

Martins pulls guard successfully.
Stamboli would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Stamboli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Martins on the ground.
Martins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stamboli scoring with some ground and pound.
Stamboli wants to stand but Martins has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Stamboli throws a strike but Martins rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martins passes Stamboli's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stamboli is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Martins jumps into side control!
Leopoldo Martins has got the better of the ground game so far.

Martins wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Stamboli, who protects the arm well.
Stamboli is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martins trying to control the position but Stamboli is working away.
Martins sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Stamboli is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Martins is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Stamboli's shoulder. That is not cool.
Stamboli is trying to get back to half guard.
Stamboli is working hard here to advance position.
Stamboli manages to work his way to half guard, despite Martins's best efforts.
Martins not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Martins wants to control but Stamboli is keeping him busy.
Martins blocks the strikes from Stamboli.
Martins wants to pass to mount but Stamboli is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Martins sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stamboli defending well though.
Martins missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Martins trying to control from half guard but Stamboli is working away.
Martins sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stamboli defending well though.
Stamboli on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stamboli tries to get out of the position.
Stamboli is trying to stand up here but Martins is controlling him well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Martins moves out of range of the strikes.
Martins with the counter takedown but Stamboli avoids it easily.
Stamboli tries to bum rush Martins with a series of wild strikes but Martins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A punch combination from Stamboli misses.
Martins is looking to clinch but Stamboli is avoiding it.
Stamboli dives in and grabs Martins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Martins pushes down on Stamboli's head and hops out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Martins walks into a straight right hand from Stamboli.
Stamboli lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Martins shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stamboli throws a combination that misses
and Stamboli takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Martins wants to clinch.
Martins tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stamboli swivels and escapes.
Johnny Stamboli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leopoldo Martins.
Stamboli throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Some wild striking there from Stamboli.

Martins tries to sprawl but Stamboli drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Martins manages to escape and get back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martins takes one on the button.
Martins is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stamboli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stamboli!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stamboli rushes Martins and presses him up against the cage.
Stamboli goes for a takedown in the clinch but Martins prevents it.
Martins is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stamboli gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stamboli is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Martins is defending well.
Martins wants to break free but Stamboli has control.

Stamboli manages to break the clinch.
Martins ducks under a wild hook from Stamboli.
Martins wants to counter the offense by Stamboli and move into the clinch position.
Martins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stamboli sprawls well. Stamboli wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Martins gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Stamboli dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Leopoldo Martins's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Martins shoots in looking for a takedown but Stamboli manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Martins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Martins closes the distance and clinches up with Stamboli, looking for a takedown. Martins pushes Stamboli against the cage but Stamboli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stamboli throws a right hand that Martins ducks under and follows up with a left that Martins also avoids with ease.
A punch combination from Stamboli misses.
Martins shoots for a takedown but Stamboli saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnny Stamboli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leopoldo Martins.
Martins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stamboli sprawls well. Stamboli wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Martins gets slowly back to his feet.

Stamboli decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stamboli scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stamboli looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Martins with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Stamboli decides to return to a standing position.

Stamboli darts in and clinches Martins up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stamboli has picked Martins up - he's going for a ride! Stamboli dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martins tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Stamboli working over Martins with some ground and pound. Martins looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Martins trying to control from the bottom.
Stamboli throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stamboli wants to stand up but Martins is controlling the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stamboli lands a nice short elbow.
Martins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Martins is still trying to improve position.

Stamboli gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Martins gets caught napping as Stamboli dives in and scores a takedown. Martins manages to retain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stamboli gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Stamboli looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Martins tries to keep at a distance but Stamboli has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stamboli is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Martins can do to turn this around?

Stamboli breaks the clinch.
Martins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stamboli.

Stamboli has closed the distance and engaged Martins in a clinch.
Stamboli has Martins pressed against the cage, preventing Martins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stamboli is looking to take this one to the mat.
Martins stops a takedown attempt from Stamboli.
Stamboli prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stamboli tries to score a body lock takedown but Martins shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Martins manages to pull guard.
Stamboli throws a big elbow that misses.
Martins looking for a sweep. Not yet Martins, not yet.
Martins has momentary wrist control but Stamboli slips an elbow through the middle.
Stamboli scoring with some ground and pound.
Martins has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Martins not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Martins is looking for a triangle but Stamboli pushes his legs off easily.
Stamboli has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Stamboli stands up and waves to Martins to follow him.
Martins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stamboli fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamboli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Martins circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stamboli lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Martins circles away quickly and effectively.
Martins dives in and grabs Stamboli's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stamboli pushes down on Martins's head and hops out.
Martins avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stamboli throws a right and a left that Martins avoids nicely.
Johnny Stamboli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Martins misses with a few strikes there.
Stamboli goes for a double leg but Martins avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Martins continues to drive forward.
Martins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martins shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnny Stamboli is winning the standup battle so far.
Stamboli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Martins has closed the distance and engaged Stamboli in a clinch.
Leopoldo Martins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Stamboli has hold of one of Martins's legs. Martins is fighting the takedown attempt but Stamboli gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Martins is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leopoldo Martins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stamboli 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Stamboli!