PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Steadhem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blake Steadhem has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Thiago Alves's chin.

Alves
vs
Steadhem

175 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thiago Alves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Blake Steadhem!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Alves as Steadhem shoots in.
Steadhem shoots for a takedown but Alves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Steadhem circles away from the clinch attempt.
Alves connects with a solid leg kick.
Steadhem will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thiago Alves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Steadhem.
Steadhem shoots for a double leg takedown but Alves sprawls well. He's pushed Steadhem's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Alves leaves Steadhem with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Steadhem tries to clinch up

and Alves counters by moving into the clinch.
Alves landing knees to the body.
Steadhem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Alves just stands there and leans against the cage.
Alves is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Steadhem looks gassed!
Steadhem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alves throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steadhem can't get the takedown.
Steadhem jumps guard but Alves stands there with Steadhem around his waist. Steadhem gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alves gets underhooks to prevent Steadhem's takedown attempt.
Alves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steadhem blocks it with crossed arms.
Alves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steadhem blocks it with crossed arms.
Alves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steadhem blocks it with crossed arms.
Alves connects with a knee to the head.

Steadhem pulls guard successfully.

Alves drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Steadhem dives on top into guard.
Alves is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Steadhem is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Alves is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Alves has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steadhem 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.

Steadhem working for a triangle but Alves defends it easily.

Steadhem is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alves defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alves drops back, looking for a kneebar! Steadhem looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Steadhem looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Steadhem!

Steadhem is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Alves knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Steadhem working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Steadhem tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Thiago Alves will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Steadhem misses with a takedown attempt
and Alves makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Blake Steadhem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Alves has closed the distance and engaged Steadhem in a clinch.

Steadhem jumps guard.
Alves has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Steadhem is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alves defends well.

Alves postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Steadhem is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Alves, into his guard.

Steadhem has gone for a leg lock! Alves slips out almost immediately though and dives into Steadhem's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steadhem has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Alves should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Steadhem has tightened it up now! Alves should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Blake Steadhem!