PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joey Stageberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buck Martyrdom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stageberg comes to the ring accompanied by Tha Crossroads from Bone Thugs and Harmony. The crowd seem to be enjoying Martyrdom's choice of entrance music: Steen1 - STJEON. 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?

Stageberg
vs
Martyrdom

178 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

183 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joey Stageberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Buck Martyrdom!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stageberg shoots for a takedown but Martyrdom saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stageberg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Martyrdom swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stageberg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stageberg misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stageberg doesn't manage to clinch there - Martyrdom circles away.
Martyrdom throws a one two combo.
Stageberg is looking to clinch but Martyrdom is avoiding it.
Stageberg tries to clinch but Martyrdom is having none of it.
Stageberg tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Martyrdom was well out of range. Poor timing from Stageberg.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stageberg.
Joey Stageberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stageberg is looking to clinch but Martyrdom is avoiding it.
Stageberg misses with a double jab

and Martyrdom counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Martyrdom decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stageberg shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Martyrdom can do anything to dispel that myth.
Stageberg thows a huge punch but Martyrdom dodges it nicely.
Stageberg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Martyrdom's head.
Stageberg throwing shots but Martyrdom is blocking nicely.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Stageberg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Martyrdom's head.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Martyrdom is controlling Stageberg's trapped leg to prevent Stageberg from advancing to side control.
Martyrdom keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stageberg is thwarting Martyrdom's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stageberg takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Martyrdom wants to control but Stageberg is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stageberg is keen to just control but Martyrdom is a slippery customer.
Stageberg is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Martyrdom is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Martyrdom is looking to improve his position.
Stageberg throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Martyrdom is trying to maintain the position but Stageberg is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stageberg tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Martyrdom controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A right-left combo lands from Stageberg.
Stageberg looks to clinch
and Martyrdom counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Martyrdom slips a straight right by Stageberg.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Martyrdom.
Martyrdom scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martyrdom thows a body shot but no joy.
Stageberg takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stageberg shoots for a takedown but Martyrdom saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stageberg is breathing heavily.
Stageberg throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Martyrdom connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stageberg shoots in for a takedown but Martyrdom shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Stageberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stageberg wants to clinch
and Stageberg takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Martyrdom buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Martyrdom darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buck Martyrdom dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Stageberg misses with a body kick.
Stageberg tries to clinch
and Martyrdom counters with a three punch combo that has Stageberg backing up. Stageberg nods at Martyrdom to acknowledge the strikes.
Stageberg on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Buck Martyrdom seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stageberg throws a hook to the side of Martyrdom's head but Martyrdom sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Martyrdom scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stageberg doesn't seem bothered though.
Stageberg misses with a double jab
and Martyrdom counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Martyrdom lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Martyrdom throws a right and a left that Stageberg avoids nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Martyrdom lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stageberg takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Martyrdom scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Martyrdom fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stageberg sprawls well initially but Martyrdom persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martyrdom stands up from half guard.
Martyrdom lands with a cross.
Martyrdom lands a nice shot that snaps Stageberg's head back.
Martyrdom stuns Stageberg with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stageberg gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Martyrdom scores with the left hand. Stageberg knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stageberg is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Martyrdom.
Stageberg is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Martyrdom.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Martyrdom, right into the meat.
Martyrdom ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Martyrdom has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martyrdom pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Martyrdom stuns Stageberg with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice shot lands for Martyrdom.
Martyrdom throws a good cross that connects.
Martyrdom fails to land with a series of punches.
Stageberg shoots in for a double leg but Martyrdom sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Martyrdom is looking to slow Stageberg down with leg kicks.
Stageberg takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Martyrdom scores with a jab to the body.
Martyrdom dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stageberg. That did some damage!
Stageberg takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Martyrdom with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martyrdom displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Martyrdom has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Martyrdom lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Martyrdom.
Martyrdom lands a body shot.
Martyrdom's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Martyrdom duly obliges.
Stageberg keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stageberg shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Martyrdom sprawls well. Martyrdom wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stageberg gets slowly back to his feet.

Martyrdom closes the distance and clinches.
Martyrdom lands with a light punch inside.
Martyrdom tries to break the clinch but Stageberg is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stageberg can't break the clinch.
Stageberg jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Martyrdom walks away with a smile on his face. Stageberg gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Stageberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martyrdom lands a lovely overhand right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Martyrdom lands a nice looking body shot.
Martyrdom connects with a body shot.
Martyrdom ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Martyrdom throws a series of strikes that have Stageberg backpedaling.
Martyrdom jabs at Stageberg's body.

Martyrdom clinches up against the ropes.
Martyrdom has Stageberg pressed against the ropes, preventing Stageberg from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Martyrdom pulls Stageberg into guard.
Martyrdom has his hands on Stageberg's head, controlling the position.
Martyrdom's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buck Martyrdom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Stageberg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Martyrdom circles away from the clinch attempt
and Martyrdom cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stageberg stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Martyrdom.
Stageberg fails to land the takedown.
Stageberg fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stageberg misses with a straight left.
Stageberg shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Martyrdom pinned against the cage. Martyrdom gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Stageberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martyrdom misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martyrdom rushes Stageberg and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Stageberg is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Martyrdom pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Martyrdom lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stageberg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stageberg looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Martyrdom is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stageberg pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Martyrdom's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stageberg shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Martyrdom counters with a nice uppercut.

Martyrdom closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stageberg to the mat! Stageberg manages to get full guard.
Stageberg has a closed guard, preventing Martyrdom from standing up.
Stageberg wants to sweep here but Martyrdom controlling him for the moment.

Martyrdom decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martyrdom fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Martyrdom lands a jab.
Martyrdom thuds a left hand into Stageberg's body.
Decent striking displayed by Martyrdom there.

Martyrdom has managed to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Martyrdom has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stageberg avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stageberg taking a breather.

Stageberg has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Martyrdom uses from the top position.
Martyrdom has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stageberg is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stageberg uses the ropes to get back to his feet.
Martyrdom lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Martyrdom misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stageberg throws a predictable looking body shot

and Martyrdom counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stageberg won't be happy with that.

Martyrdom stands up.
Buck Martyrdom is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Martyrdom shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stageberg defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martyrdom slaps away a takedown attempt from Stageberg, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Joey Stageberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martyrdom throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stageberg wants to clinch but Martyrdom slips to the side
letting Martyrdom counter with a right hand.
Stageberg tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Martyrdom counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stageberg throws the left hand but Martyrdom avoids the punch easily.
Stageberg falls off balance throwing a combination
and Martyrdom cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buck Martyrdom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Martyrdom 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buck Martyrdom!