PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Blachowicz (ranked 3765 p4p, 5423 weight class) and Noah Stevenson (ranked 408 p4p, 485 weight class). Noah Stevenson struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Aleksandar Blachowicz has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Blachowicz
vs
Stevenson

180 cm
25
165
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
167
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aleksandar Blachowicz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Noah Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Summer Carpenter and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blachowicz.
Blachowicz seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Blachowicz shoots in for a double leg but Stevenson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Blachowicz closes the distance and clinches up with Stevenson, looking for a takedown. Blachowicz pushes Stevenson against the cage but Stevenson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stevenson wants to counter with a clinch but Blachowicz pushes him away.

Stevenson moves into range and clinches up with Blachowicz.
Stevenson tries a knee to the head but Blachowicz blocks it.
Nice body punch from Stevenson.
Blachowicz tries to break free but Stevenson pushes him back against the cage.
Blachowicz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stevenson has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stevenson pulls Blachowicz into guard.
Blachowicz preventing the sweep.
Blachowicz throws an elbow that misses. Stevenson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Blachowicz's guard. Nice move by Stevenson!

Stevenson landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stevenson pushes down on Blachowicz's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Stevenson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Stevenson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stevenson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Stevenson is working for a kimura but Blachowicz is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson moves into full mount! Blachowicz won't be happy about that!
Stevenson scoring with strikes but Blachowicz is staying in there.
Blachowicz is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Stevenson controlling the position easily from mount.
Blachowicz tries to buck Stevenson off but he can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson scoring with strikes but Blachowicz is staying in there.
Blachowicz wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Blachowicz knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stevenson on the ground.
Stevenson controlling his opponent.
Blachowicz is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Stevenson is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.

Stevenson looking to isolate an arm here. Blachowicz doesn't see it coming and as Stevenson extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Stevenson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Noah Stevenson!