PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Unoriginal Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Unoriginal Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Stevens

178 cm
20
153 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Unoriginal Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Matt Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Donald Grub and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with a hook. Stevens ducked under it nicely.
Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from Stevens.
Smith thows a body shot but no joy.
Smith connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stevens. Stevens circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stevens fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Stevens pushes him off.
Smith connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Stevens circles away.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevens misses with the combination.
Stevens with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice combination there by Stevens.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.

Stevens shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Smith is looking to get to half guard.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Smith rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Stevens looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Stevens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevens lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith sizes up Stevens with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Smith on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stevens. Stevens obviously looking to wear him down.
Stevens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Stevens.
Smith tries to clinch there but Stevens circles away.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Unoriginal Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens misses with a double jab.
Smith tries to clinch but Stevens is having none of it.
Smith swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Smith tries to clinch but Stevens is having none of it.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Stevens in a clinch.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Stevens avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.

Stevens pulls guard successfully.
Stevens 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.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.

Stevens has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Stevens is keeping the position.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Smith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stevens stops Smith from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Smith is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Stevens is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Stevens manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stevens manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Stevens has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.

Stevens is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.

Smith is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Stevens looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.
Stevens looks gassed!
Smith slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to move to mount but Stevens blocks the move with his legs.

Smith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Stevens is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Smith off and has taken his back!
Smith turns into Stevens and is now in his guard.

Stevens is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Smith frees his head nicely. Oh but Stevens has switched to an armbar! Smith is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Matt Stevens!
Matt Stevens is the new featherweight champion!