PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Stafford (ranked 5262 p4p, 24855 weight class) and Autobot Three (ranked 522 p4p, 564 weight class). Stafford's entrance music is Voices- Rev Theory. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stafford
vs
Three

187 cm
20
178
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
170
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ezekiel Stafford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Autobot Three!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Three avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Three avoids the head kick by Stafford.
Stafford tries to clinch
and Three counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stafford fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stafford fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Three manages to avoid it.

Three clinches up against the cage.
Three gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stafford.
Three lands a left hand.
Three is leaning against Stafford and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stafford throws a knee to the head but misses.

Stafford breaks from the clinch.

Three has Stafford up against the cage in a clinch.
Stafford throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafford stalling against the cage.
Three prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Stafford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Three lands a right hand.
Stafford fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stafford throws an elbow but it misses.
Stafford is looking for a takedown.
Three prevents a takedown attempt there.
Three lands a nice uppercut.
Three has Stafford pressed against the cage, preventing Stafford from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Stafford tries to pull guard but Three holds him up against the cage and eventually Stafford drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Three keeps control of Stafford as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stafford is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Come on Three - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Three presses Stafford against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stafford is breathing heavily.
A short left from Three.
Three lands with a right to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Three.
Stafford tries to pull guard but Three forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Three breaks from the clinch.

Three drives through and clinches with Stafford against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Three lands a shoulder strike.

Stafford pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Three has managed to clinch.
Three has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Stafford seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Three can turn it around.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Three.
Stafford has Three pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Three manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short left from Three.

Three pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Three forces Stafford back against the cage and clinches.
Stafford looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Three breaks the clinch.
Autobot Three is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stafford with a poor takedown
and Three counters with a right hand to the body.

Three has managed to clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Three.
Three lands a hook that snaps the head of Stafford backwards.

Three jumps guard.
Three is adopting a defensive guard.

Three working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stafford doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stafford manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stafford has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Three to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Stafford is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Three pulls down on the head and he's put Stafford to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Autobot Three!
In defeat, Ezekiel Stafford stepped up to the mic, saying 'Hey, you win some and you lose some. Much respect for my opponent. I will learn from this and come back stronger, faster, and better. Much love to the fans for coming to support me. I will see you all soon. '.