PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franco Cazelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stevens
vs
Cazelli

178 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Franco Cazelli!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Donatello Bradman and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Stevens with that takedown attempt.

Stevens moves into the clinch successfully.

Stevens has picked Cazelli up - he's going for a ride! Stevens dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Stevens is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Cazelli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cazelli controlling the position.
Stevens throwing strikes but missing.
Stevens is fighting to break Cazelli's control of his arms but Cazelli is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Stevens stopping the sweep attempt from Cazelli.
Stevens is fighting to break Cazelli's control of his arms but Cazelli is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cazelli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stevens has managed to get both his arms back between Cazelli's legs - danger averted.
Cazelli keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
Stevens throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cazelli works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Cazelli is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cazelli looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevens is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stevens trying to control but Cazelli is working from the bottom.
Cazelli tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cazelli looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Stevens trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cazelli looking to control.
Stevens with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cazelli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stevens has managed to get both his arms back between Cazelli's legs - danger averted.
Cazelli looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stevens looking to sit in guard and control but Cazelli gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Cazelli prevents Stevens from getting back to his feet.

Stevens is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cazelli passes Stevens's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Stevens blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cazelli.
Cazelli prevents Stevens from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Cazelli decides to return to a standing position.
Stevens stuffs the takedown attempt from Cazelli. Cazelli gets slowly back to his feet.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt

and Cazelli decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stevens's guard.
Stevens tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Stevens is working an open guard so Cazelli takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Stevens looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cazelli displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Cazelli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stevens gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Cazelli counters with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franco Cazelli dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cazelli throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Cazelli bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Stevens is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Stevens's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stevens is looking to regain half guard here but Cazelli keeps moving and retains side control.
Cazelli trying to control the action but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cazelli happy to just control the position for now.
Cazelli working the head with strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cazelli gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stevens counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cazelli is trying to maintain the position but Stevens is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cazelli makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Stevens shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Stevens was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cazelli sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cazelli is staying active underneath Stevens, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Stevens seems to be looking for submissions.
Cazelli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Cazelli keeps moving.

Cazelli throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cazelli trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

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.
Stevens seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cazelli has control of Stevens's left arm, preventing Stevens from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Steve Stevens will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cazelli.
Stevens tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stevens is trying to control Cazelli's posture but Cazelli avoids it.
Stevens gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Cazelli working Stevens over with strikes.
Cazelli seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stevens does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Stevens looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cazelli lands with a punch from half guard.
Cazelli is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Cazelli get's back to his feet.

Cazelli shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stevens is trying to defend but Cazelli finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Stevens is trying to control but Cazelli passes into side control!
Stevens wants to control but Cazelli postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens tries to improve position but can't.
Stevens can't do much from the bottom here.
Cazelli is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Stevens will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Stevens tries to buck Cazelli off but Cazelli is having none of it.
Stevens tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Cazelli easily slips into full mount!
Stevens wants to hold on but Cazelli pushes him away.
Stevens is squirming around, avoiding Cazelli's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cazelli controlling his opponent.
You get the feeling that Stevens really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Franco Cazelli has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cazelli avoids the attempt from Stevens to control.
Cazelli content just to control the position here.
Stevens is just holding on here. Cazelli manages to take his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cazelli controlling well, preventing Stevens from escaping the position.
Stevens is taking damage to the body and head.
Cazelli is punishing Stevens with strikes - can he finish him?!
You can see the frustration on Stevens's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Cazelli biding his time, looking for the opening.
Cazelli missing with punches from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cazelli controls the position.
Stevens trying to get back to his feet but Cazelli is in full control for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franco Cazelli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cazelli has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franco Cazelli!