PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zlo Dokraja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Dokraja
vs
Stephens

190 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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, Zlo Dokraja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Damien Edna and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dokraja defends it nicely.
Stephens tries to close the distance and clinch but Dokraja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Dokraja.
Stephens dives in and grabs Dokraja's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dokraja pushes down on Stephens's head and hops out.
Stephens shoots in for a double leg but Dokraja sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zlo Dokraja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Stephens.
Stephens tries to clinch up.
Dokraja will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dokraja stuffs the takedown attempt from Stephens. Stephens gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dokraja tries to bum rush Stephens with a series of wild strikes but Stephens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stephens.
Dokraja throws a series of punches but Stephens avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Dokraja as Stephens shoots in.
Dokraja throws a series of punches but Stephens avoids them all with ease.
Stephens tries to clinch but Dokraja is having none of it.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt.
Stephens shoots in looking for a takedown. Dokraja tries to sprawl out of it but Stephens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dokraja manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stephens fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stephens tries to clinch up but Dokraja circles away and keeps his distance.
Stephens wants to clinch up but Dokraja keeps it at a distance.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt.
Dokraja throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stephens.

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.
Dokraja swinging wildly here.
Dokraja misses with a two punch combination.
Dokraja swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dokraja throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stephens.
Dokraja throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dokraja throws a right hand that Stephens ducks under and follows up with a left that Stephens also avoids with ease.
Dokraja uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stephens.

Stephens gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stephens is working for takedown but Dokraja is calmly controlling the position for now.

Dokraja breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens tries to clinch there but Dokraja circles away.
Dokraja will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stephens throws a combination that misses
and Dokraja counters with a left and a right that stings Stephens.
Stephens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stephens tries to clinch there but Dokraja circles away.
Dokraja throws a right hand that Stephens ducks under and follows up with a left that Stephens also avoids with ease.
Dokraja misses with a wild combination.
Dokraja is breathing heavily.
Dokraja throws a right hand that Stephens ducks under and follows up with a left that Stephens also avoids with ease.
Stephens tries for a takedown but Dokraja circles away easily
and Dokraja counters with a series of strikes. Stephens will be more careful next time no doubt.
Stephens is looking to clinch but Dokraja is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens dodges the punch combination from Dokraja.
Dokraja lands a nice hook to Stephens's body. Stephens takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dokraja throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stephens on the side of the head.
Dokraja fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stephens tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Dokraja cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Stephens looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stephens pushing down on Dokraja's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Stephens is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zlo Dokraja 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.

Dokraja misses with a combination

and Stephens counters with a single leg into guard. Dokraja didn't expect that.
Dokraja is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dokraja is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Stephens is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Stephens thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Dokraja wants to stand and escape but Stephens is having none of it.

Stephens has gone for a leg lock! Dokraja slips out almost immediately though and dives into Stephens's guard.

Stephens had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dokraja defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dokraja has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stephens is proving hard to escape from.
Stephens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stephens, not yet.
Dokraja wanted to stand there but Stephens had control of the position.

Stephens is looking for a triangle but Dokraja pushes his legs off easily.
Dokraja wants to get up but he can't break Stephens's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two 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.
Stephens 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.
Dokraja wants to get up but he can't break Stephens's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stephens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stephens, not yet.

Dokraja gets to his feet - Stephens follows without any prompting.
Dokraja swings and misses with a hook to the body.
John Stephens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Dokraja misses.
Dokraja throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Stephens counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dokraja won't be happy with that.

Stephens tries for a kimura but Dokraja is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dokraja pushes Stephens away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Stephens gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dokraja tries to improve position but can't.
Dokraja is working hard here to advance position.

Stephens is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Dokraja is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Dokraja tries to improve position but can't.

Stephens working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Dokraja wants to control but Stephens postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stephens swings around for an armbar but Dokraja sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Stephens's guard.

Dokraja stands and steps away. Stephens gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Stephens clinches but Dokraja breaks the clinch
and Dokraja counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stephens misses with a looping left.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dokraja!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stephens tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Dokraja counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Stephens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Dokraja throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stephens stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dokraja throws a left and a right that both miss

and Stephens counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A body shot lands from Dokraja.
Dokraja has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stephens wants a takedown.
Dokraja prevents the takedown attempt.

Stephens gets a trip takedown into half guard.

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

Stephens wants to work for an arm triangle but Dokraja is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dokraja trying to control here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dokraja moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dokraja pulls Stephens in close to prevent any damage.

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

Dokraja decides to stand up, so the ref orders Stephens to his feet.
Dokraja lands a jab-cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dokraja throws a combination that misses

and Stephens counters with a single leg into guard. Dokraja didn't expect that.
John Stephens has got the better of the ground game so far.

Dokraja has his feet on Stephens's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dokraja cracks Stephens with an open hand slap.
Dokraja misses with a two punch combination.
Stephens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zlo Dokraja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stephens has closed the distance and engaged Dokraja in a clinch.
Stephens tries to pull guard but Dokraja won't allow it.
Zlo Dokraja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Stephens.
Dokraja gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stephens.
Dokraja lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens tries to circle away but Dokraja has him pinned against the cage.
Stephens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dokraja is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Stephens keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dokraja's efforts to push away.
Dokraja lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dokraja working hard to break the clinch.
Dokraja works on Stephens's body with a couple of short punches.
Dokraja wants to break the clinch but can't.

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.
Stephens tries to pull guard but Dokraja won't allow it.
Stephens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Dokraja breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dokraja ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dokraja cracks Stephens with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dokraja goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Stephens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dokraja misses with the combination.
Stephens fails with the takedown
and Dokraja counters with a three punch combo that has Stephens backing up. Stephens nods at Dokraja to acknowledge the strikes.
Dokraja works Stephens's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zlo Dokraja showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dokraja has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zlo Dokraja!