PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Morssari (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.

Stevenson
vs
Morssari

175 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joseph Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kari Morssari!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stevenson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Morssari has hold of Stevenson's hands but Stevenson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Morssari trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Stevenson fails to take his opponent's back.

Stevenson working for a submission but Morssari is keeping him at bay.

Stevenson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Morssari is surviving well by controlling Stevenson's body position as best he can.

Stevenson goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Morssari turns into him and now he's in Stevenson's guard.
Stevenson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morssari tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevenson is retaining full guard.
Morssari thows a big elbow that misses.
Morssari trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morssari tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevenson is retaining full guard.

Stevenson working for a triangle but Morssari defends it easily.

Stevenson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stevenson keeping moving, preventing Morssari from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Morssari shoots and misses

and Stevenson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Morssari!
Morssari bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Stevenson keeping full guard, as Morssari tries to pass.
Morssari trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Stevenson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Stevenson trying to control but Morssari is working from the bottom.
Morssari looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morssari has momentary wrist control but Stevenson slips an elbow through the middle.
Morssari wants to sweep here but Stevenson controlling him for the moment.
Stevenson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevenson postures up and lands a big shot to Morssari's brow.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Morssari keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Morssari with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stevenson counters with a single leg into guard. Morssari didn't expect that.
Morssari controls Stevenson momentarily but Stevenson frees himself.
Morssari keeping moving, preventing Stevenson from controlling successfully.
Stevenson won't allow Morssari to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Morssari will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Morssari trying to control the position.
Morssari manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Morssari can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stevenson is looking to escape.
Morssari wants to get back to his feet but Stevenson is holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Stevenson dominated that round.
That's time! Stevenson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stevenson throws a body punch but Morssari moves out of range.
Morssari has his takedown stuffed

and Stevenson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Morssari won't be happy with that.
You can see the frustration on Morssari's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Stevenson decides to stand back up. Stevenson steps back and let's Morssari get back to his feet.
A combination from Stevenson does no damage.
Morssari looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevenson is fending him off so far but Morssari persists. Nope, Stevenson circles away and we're back to standing.
Morssari tries to clinch but Stevenson is having none of it.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Stevenson gets a takedown into half guard.
Morssari works his way to full guard. Good work.
Morssari has a closed guard, preventing Stevenson from standing up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Morssari working for a triangle but Stevenson defends it easily.
Morssari is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Stevenson is trying to stand back up but Morssari is controlling him
Morssari trying to control from half guard but Stevenson is working away.
Stevenson wants to get back to full guard.
Morssari seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stevenson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stevenson wants to control but Morssari is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stevenson moves into full guard.
Stevenson lands a decent punch to the body there.
Stevenson wants to sweep but no luck.

Stevenson has his feet on Morssari's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Stevenson clinches up against the cage.
Stevenson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Morssari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Stevenson breaks from the clinch.

Stevenson gets a clinch.

Stevenson gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stevenson wants to take a breather but Morssari is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Stevenson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Morssari!
Stevenson landing punches.
Morssari wants to hold on but Stevenson pushes him away.
Morssari taking shots to the head.
Morssari wants to control but Stevenson is having none of it.
Morssari really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Morssari is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Morssari tries to lock up and control but Stevenson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morssari regains half guard.
Morssari trying to control but Stevenson postures up.
Stevenson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Morssari keeps working.
Stevenson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Morssari is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ground and pound from Stevenson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morssari is trying to maintain the position but Stevenson is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Stevenson dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Morssari is looking to clinch.
Stevenson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stevenson looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Stevenson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Stevenson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Stevenson landing strikes from the mount and Morssari is in trouble!
Stevenson unloading with bombs!
Morssari looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Stevenson is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Morssari is defending well though. Stevenson let's go of the attempt for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevenson gets his hands free as Morssari looks to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Morssari taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Stevenson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joseph Stevenson!