PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Francel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Francel comes into the arena with Voix de fait blaring out of the sound system. Stevenson has chosen Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili Peppers as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Francel
vs
Stevenson

176 cm
19
183 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
182 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacques Francel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joseph Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Francel misses with a straight left.
Stevenson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stevenson defending well as Francel loads up on a big left hand.
Stevenson throws a head kick that misses.
Francel misses with a straight left.
Stevenson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Francel. Francel circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stevenson misses with a head kick.
Francel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Francel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Francel lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Francel avoids the head kick by Stevenson.
Francel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stevenson tries to bum rush Francel with a series of wild strikes but Francel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Francel misses with a two punch combination.
Francel looks to land a left hand but Stevenson moved out of range nicely.
Francel looks to land a right hand but Stevenson moved out of range.
Stevenson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Francel is fending him off so far but Stevenson persists. Nope, Francel circles away and we're back to standing.
Francel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stevenson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Francel throws a lazy right hand but Stevenson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A punch combination from Francel misses.
Francel is breathing heavily.
Stevenson lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Stevenson lands a few punches from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stevenson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stevenson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Stevenson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stevenson grinds an elbow into Francel's temple.

Stevenson is trying to get an arm triangle but Francel is defending well.
Francel is trying to get back to his feet.

Stevenson is trying to get an arm triangle but Francel is defending well.
Francel is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Francel has escaped the position, nice work there.
Stevenson is looking to take a break and control but Francel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Francel is looking to reverse the position.
Stevenson gets to mount! Francel was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Francel is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Francel defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Stevenson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stevenson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Francel is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Francel and Stevenson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francel tries to improve position but can't.

Stevenson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Francel, who protects the arm well.
Francel wants to get back to his feet.

Stevenson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Francel, who protects the arm well.
Francel is trying to control Stevenson's posture but Stevenson avoids it.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Francel has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Stevenson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The strikes coming from Stevenson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Stevenson wants to control but Francel is keeping him busy.
An elbow from Stevenson crashes against the mat.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Francel throws a lazy right hand but Stevenson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Stevenson.
Stevenson ducks under a wild hook from Francel.
Francel connects with a looping right hand.

Stevenson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Stevenson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Francel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevenson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stevenson throws a sloppy head kick and Francel moves out of range easily.
Stevenson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Francel stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Stevenson misses with a few strikes there.
Francel throws a hook but Stevenson avoids it easily.
Stevenson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Francel.
Stevenson shoots for a takedown but Francel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stevenson throws a series of punches but Francel avoids them all with ease.
Francel misses with an uppercut.
Francel loads up on a big right hand but Stevenson slips the punch.
Francel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevenson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Joseph Stevenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stevenson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Francel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stevenson slips under a jab from Francel.
Stevenson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson looks for a takedown but Francel sprawls well.
Jacques Francel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Stevenson.
Francel misses with an uppercut.
Stevenson moves out of range of the strikes.
Francel avoids the head kick by Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Francel's waist but Francel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stevenson off to one side.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Francel looks to land a right hand but Stevenson moved out of range.
Jacques Francel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stevenson looks for a takedown but Francel sprawls well.
Stevenson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stevenson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Francel defends it nicely.
Francel lands a jab to the nose.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that Francel avoids nicely.
Stevenson avoids the head kick by Francel.

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.
Francel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stevenson scores with a punch to the head.
Stevenson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Francel throws a head kick but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson digs a good body shot into Francel's ribs.
Stevenson looks to throw the jab but Francel is out of range.
Francel is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Francel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevenson.
Stevenson scores with a one two! Francel had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Francel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A left and a right from Stevenson both land. Nice combination.
Stevenson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Francel.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stevenson.
Francel takes a kick to the side of the head.
Francel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Stevenson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Stevenson is in close to Francel's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francel controls Stevenson momentarily but Stevenson frees himself.
Francel is really struggling to control Stevenson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Francel knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stevenson on the ground.
Stevenson trying to control but Francel is working from the bottom.
Francel trying to keep a closed guard but Stevenson is proving a slippery customer.
Francel looking for a sweep. Not yet Francel, not yet.
Stevenson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Francel wants to get back to his feet but Stevenson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stevenson lands with a slapping head kick.
Francel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stevenson cracks Francel with an open hand slap.

That's four 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.
Francel takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice shot by Stevenson.
Francel scores with a head kick.
Stevenson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Francel.
Stevenson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Francel has time to react.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevenson.
Francel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stevenson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stevenson cracks Francel with an open hand slap.
Francel throws a big shot that misses.
Francel takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Francel avoids the head kick by Stevenson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Francel scores with a jab to the jaw.
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Francel jabs Stevenson right on the nose. Stevenson blinks but takes it well.
Stevenson throws a nice inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Stevenson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Francel throws a right and a left that Stevenson avoids nicely.
Stevenson misses with a wild combination.
A head kick misses from Francel.
Jab by Stevenson.
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Stevenson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Francel throws out the jab.
Francel scores with a nice strike.
Stevenson cracks Francel with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Francel misses with a looping right.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevenson fails with the takedown.
Francel looks to land a right hand but Stevenson moved out of range.
Stevenson ducks under a wild hook from Francel.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Stevenson lands but Francel takes it in his stride.
Stevenson misses with the combination.
Stevenson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Francel throws a hook but Stevenson avoids it easily.
Stevenson slips a jab from Francel.
Francel walks into a straight right hand from Stevenson.
Francel throws a sloppy body shot
and Stevenson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Francel looks to land a left hand but Stevenson moved out of range nicely.

Stevenson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Francel wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Francel trying to control here.
Francel is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Francel on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Stevenson stands up out of the half guard.
Francel thows a left - swing and a miss!
A decent looking cross lands there for Stevenson.
Francel gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Stevenson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Francel stuffs the takedown.
Jacques Francel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Stevenson.
Francel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevenson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stevenson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Francel manages to avoid it.
Francel misses with a straight left.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Francel looks to land a left hand but Stevenson moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francel misses with a looping left.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stevenson is defended easily by Francel.
Francel loads up on a big right hand but Stevenson slips the punch.

Stevenson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Francel to the mat! Francel manages to get full guard.
Stevenson trying to control the position from guard on top but Francel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevenson prevents Francel from getting back to his feet.
Francel trying to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stevenson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stevenson prevents Francel from getting back to his feet.
Stevenson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Francel manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Stevenson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Stevenson tries to lock up and control but Francel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Francel can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stevenson is looking to escape.
Stevenson is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Jacques Francel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joseph Stevenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stevenson tries to hold on but Francel postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Stevenson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stevenson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Stevenson!