PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mancha Aisland (ranked 320 p4p, 1391 weight class) and Ryder Stephens (ranked 42 p4p, 183 weight class). Ryder Stephens has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aisland
vs
Stephens

158 cm
27
155
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
27
160
6 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mancha Aisland!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ryder Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aisland dives in and scores a takedown into Stephens's guard.
Stephens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aisland is one step ahead there.

Stephens throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Aisland wants to control from the top but Stephens keeps moving.
Aisland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stephens is keeping the position for now.

Stephens has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Aisland is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Stephens.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aisland working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Aisland wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aisland working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Aisland definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Aisland working the head and body with strikes.
Aisland wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stephens keeps working.
Stephens struggling a bit here.
Aisland landing a few strikes.

Aisland tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Aisland trying to control the action but Stephens is working from the bottom.
Stephens tries to buck Aisland off but Aisland is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aisland has hold of Stephens's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Stephens tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Aisland cranks the arm and Stephens screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Stephens, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Mancha Aisland!
Mancha Aisland retains his lightweight title!
After the fight, Mancha Aisland was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.