PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jesus Christ Karter (ranked 250 p4p, 852 weight class) and Olenev Stepanovich (ranked 32 p4p, 117 weight class). Stepanovich has chosen Swallowing Dust as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Olenev Stepanovich enters the cage!

Karter
vs
Stepanovich

170 cm
39
155
33 - 21 - 1

186 cm
31
165
22 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

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 33 - 21 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jesus Christ Karter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Olenev Stepanovich!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Lou da Vinci and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanovich scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Karter misses with a straight right.
Karter misses with a looping right.

Karter manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Stepanovich on his heels. He'll look to pass Stepanovich's guard now, I'm sure.
Karter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stepanovich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stepanovich looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karter is one step ahead there.
Karter wants to control from the top but Stepanovich keeps moving.
Karter not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stepanovich is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stepanovich keeping moving, preventing Karter from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karter is fighting to break Stepanovich's control of his arms but Stepanovich is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Karter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stepanovich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Karter controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Karter looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karter wants to control from the top but Stepanovich keeps moving.
Stepanovich managing to control the position.
Karter trying to control the position from guard on top but Stepanovich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stepanovich is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stepanovich pulls Karter in to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A big right from Stepanovich misses.
Stepanovich ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karter moves away.
Karter was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Karter gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Stepanovich gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Karter regains guard.

Karter is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Karter keeping moving, preventing Stepanovich from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karter has control of Stepanovich's left arm, preventing Stepanovich from doing any damage.
Stepanovich cracks Karter with a solid left hand.
Karter is trying to keep Stepanovich in close.

Karter escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stepanovich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Karter is trying to keep Stepanovich in close.
Karter might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stepanovich stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Karter swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stepanovich throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karter wants to sweep here but Stepanovich controlling him for the moment.
Stepanovich with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Karter working for a triangle but Stepanovich defends it easily.
Stepanovich working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Karter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stepanovich doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stepanovich manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stepanovich being controlled here momentarily.
Stepanovich wants to control from the top but Karter keeps moving.

That's four 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.

Karter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stepanovich can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karter utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stepanovich trying to control but Karter is working from the bottom.

Karter working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Stepanovich has passed into half guard!

Stepanovich is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stepanovich throwing shots but Karter is blocking nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Olenev Stepanovich will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stepanovich misses with a wild body shot.
Karter uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stepanovich.
Karter takes a swing at Stepanovich's ribcage but misses.
Stepanovich takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Karter seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Stepanovich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stepanovich throws a hook to the side of Karter's head but Karter sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Karter takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Karter throws a sloppy head kick and Stepanovich moves out of range easily.
Stepanovich uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Karter.
Karter cracks a nice hook into Stepanovich's ribs.
Stepanovich connects with a single shot there.
Karter looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stepanovich jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stepanovich loads up on a big right hand but Karter slips the punch.
An attempted straight right counter from Karter misses the target.
Stepanovich throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Donk. Stepanovich catches Karter right on the button with a cross.
Karter avoids the body shot from Stepanovich.
Karter throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karter throws a push kick but Stepanovich slaps the foot to one side.
Olenev Stepanovich seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Karter moves out of range as Stepanovich strikes.
Olenev Stepanovich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karter throws a wild body kick that Stepanovich sees coming a mile off.
Stepanovich throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Karter on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karter throws a head kick but Stepanovich moves out of range.
Karter blocks a jab.
Stepanovich lands a head shot.
Karter looks to land a right hand but Stepanovich moved out of range.
Karter ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stepanovich moves away.
Karter throws a quick inside leg kick.
Karter walks into a stiff left hand from Stepanovich.
Karter misses with a head kick.
Stepanovich's corner calls for a 1-2. Stepanovich obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Stepanovich lands a jab to Karter's midsection.
Stepanovich throws an overhand right that lands on Karter's shoulder, as Karter tries to avoid the shot.
Karter throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And Stepanovich tries to counter it with a takedown but Karter pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Karter shoots in and gets a takedown into Stepanovich's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karter wants to control from the top but Stepanovich keeps moving.
Stepanovich looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stepanovich controls Karter momentarily but Karter frees himself.
Stepanovich pulls Karter in to control the position.
Karter tries to free his leg and advance position but Stepanovich is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Karter working a defensive guard here.
Stepanovich trying to control the position from guard on top but Karter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Olenev Stepanovich has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stepanovich is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Stepanovich is stalling in the full guard.
Karter keeping moving, preventing Stepanovich from controlling successfully.

Karter is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Karter tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stepanovich is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stepanovich advances position into side control!
Karter gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Karter manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stepanovich throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Karter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stepanovich postures up and lands a big shot to Karter's brow.
Karter avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Karter trying to control the position here.
Karter controls Stepanovich momentarily but Stepanovich frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karter keeping moving, preventing Stepanovich from controlling successfully.
Karter avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stepanovich postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Karter bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stepanovich's guard.

Stepanovich has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Karter not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stepanovich is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stepanovich looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karter is one step ahead there.
Stepanovich wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Olenev Stepanovich will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A big right from Stepanovich misses.
Karter takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Karter changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stepanovich throws a jab when Karter was well out of range.
Karter motions for Stepanovich to come forward. Karter throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stepanovich throws out a counter right but Karter avoids it with no problem.
Karter walks into a stiff left hand from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stepanovich jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Karter with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stepanovich to score with a decent uppercut.
Stepanovich fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
An inside leg kick lands from Karter.
Stepanovich wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Stepanovich moves into range and connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stepanovich pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Karter works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Karter moves away from the strike by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich slips under a jab.
Stepanovich scores with a jab.
Karter throws a hook but Stepanovich blocks it.
Stepanovich looks to throw the jab but Karter is out of range.
Stepanovich keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karter slips under a jab.
Karter fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stepanovich has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The fighters circle momentarily. Karter darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Karter throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stepanovich sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Karter scores with a shot to the body.
Stepanovich misses with a right hand
and Karter makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Karter throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Stepanovich darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Karter just misses with a punch to the body.
Stepanovich throws a hook to the side of Karter's head but Karter sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stepanovich changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Karter gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karter lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Stepanovich controlling the position.
Karter postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Karter throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stepanovich works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stepanovich is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Jesus Christ Karter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Olenev Stepanovich is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Karter is wriggling around trying to escape.
Karter tries to lock up and control but Stepanovich gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Karter is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Karter is working hard here to advance position.
Karter tries to hold on but Stepanovich postures up.
Stepanovich trying to control but Karter is having none of it.
Karter wants to control but Stepanovich is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karter can't escape the position.
Stepanovich tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Karter is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Stepanovich sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Karter tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stepanovich controlling the pace for now.
Let's hope that Stepanovich has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Karter keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich content just to control the position here.
Karter is desperately trying to improve his position but Stepanovich has a good base and remains in mount.
Stepanovich controlling the position easily from mount.
Stepanovich looking to control but Karter is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Karter is looking to get to half guard.
Stepanovich controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Olenev Stepanovich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stepanovich winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Olenev Stepanovich!
Olenev Stepanovich thanked the fans post fight for their support.