PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cameron Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasquez is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by King Of The World. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stevenson
vs
Velasquez

185 cm
23
245 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
243 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q156 Stam/159 Rec
KING NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cameron Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cain Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Velasquez forces Stevenson back against the cage and clinches.
Velasquez is trying to drag Stevenson to the mat but Stevenson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Velasquez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cameron Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Velasquez.
Stevenson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Velasquez manages to pull guard.

Stevenson has gone for a leg lock! Velasquez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Stevenson's guard.
Velasquez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stevenson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Stevenson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Velasquez is aware though and is defending well.
Velasquez won't allow Stevenson to sweep him here.

Stevenson has his foot on Velasquez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Velasquez works his way back into a safe position though.
Stevenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Stevenson looking for a guillotine here but Velasquez defends easily.
Velasquez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Velasquez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stevenson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Velasquez has managed to get both his arms back between Stevenson's legs - danger averted.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.
Velasquez postures up in Stevenson's guard and throws a big left but Stevenson blocks it.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stevenson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Velasquez defends well.
Velasquez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Velasquez trying to control but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Velasquez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stevenson, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velasquez misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Stevenson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Velasquez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Velasquez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Stevenson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Velasquez trying to control the position but Stevenson is working away.
Stevenson struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez cracks Stevenson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Stevenson manages to get back to half guard.
Velasquez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Velasquez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Velasquez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stevenson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Stevenson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Stevenson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Velasquez defends well.
Stevenson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throwing strikes from guard but Stevenson blocks nicely.
Stevenson wants to sweep but no luck.
Stevenson keeping full guard, as Velasquez tries to pass.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Stevenson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Velasquez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Velasquez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Velasquez should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Stevenson is trying to keep Velasquez in close.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Velasquez misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cameron Stevenson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Velasquez darts in and clinches Stevenson up against the cage.
Stevenson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Velasquez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Velasquez stalling the fight.
Velasquez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stevenson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Velasquez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cameron Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevenson is trying to break the clinch but Velasquez is controlling him.

Velasquez manages to pull guard.

Stevenson drops back looking for a leg! Velasquez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Velasquez manages to kick Stevenson off! Stevenson jumps back into Velasquez's guard.
Stevenson preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez trying to control the position.

Stevenson 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.
Stevenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Velasquez is keeping the position for now.
Stevenson preventing the sweep.
Velasquez is pulling down on Stevenson's head to control his posture.

Velasquez looking for a guillotine here but Stevenson defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevenson fails with the takedown

and Velasquez counters with a takedown into side control.
Velasquez misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
You can see the frustration on Stevenson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Velasquez grinds an elbow into Stevenson's temple.
Velasquez scores with a couple of short elbows.
Velasquez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Stevenson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Stevenson is looking for a sweep.
Stevenson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Velasquez scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Stevenson to see if he's OK.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Horrible takedown by Stevenson or perhaps it was just good defense by Velasquez which made him look bad.
Stevenson shoots and misses

and Velasquez counters with a shoot takedown. Stevenson fights it but they end up in guard.
Velasquez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Stevenson working for a triangle but Velasquez defends it easily.

Stevenson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Velasquez looking to pass the guard.

Stevenson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson trying to control here.
Stevenson missing with punches from the bottom.
Velasquez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ground and pound from Velasquez.
Velasquez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Velasquez is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Stevenson trying to control but Velasquez postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Stevenson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Velasquez is defended easily by Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt

and Velasquez counters with a shoot takedown. Stevenson fights it but they end up in guard.

Stevenson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Velasquez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Velasquez stands up and waves to Stevenson to follow him.

Velasquez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Velasquez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Stevenson tries to hold on but Velasquez postures up.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Velasquez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevenson swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Stevenson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Velasquez landing strikes from the mount and Stevenson is in trouble!
Velasquez lands a nice shot to the head.
Stevenson wants to hold on but Velasquez pushes him away.
Stevenson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Velasquez trying to control the position.
Stevenson advances to half guard.

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.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura here.
Velasquez is refusing to be controlled, as Stevenson sits in half guard.

Stevenson is working for a kimura but Velasquez is defending it quite comfortably.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura but Velasquez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stevenson to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez moves into full guard.

Stevenson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Velasquez 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.
Stevenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Velasquez is keeping the position for now.

Stevenson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stevenson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Stevenson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Velasquez trying to control but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
Cain Velasquez has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stevenson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Stevenson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Velasquez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stevenson controls Velasquez momentarily but Velasquez frees himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevenson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Velasquez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Velasquez 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Velasquez!