PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Stonehouse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stonehouse's entrance music is Invaders Must Die. A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Stonehouse
vs
Fox

190 cm
20
209 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

175 cm
22
207 lbs
7 - 4 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Paul Stonehouse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Steve Fox!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fox throws an overhand right that lands on Stonehouse's shoulder, as Stonehouse tries to avoid the shot.
Stonehouse is looking to clinch.
Fox shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stonehouse but Stonehouse pushes him off and we're back to square one.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stonehouse looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stonehouse misses the jab.
Stonehouse defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fox.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stonehouse wants to clinch up but Fox keeps it at a distance.
Steve Fox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fox fails with the takedown.
Paul Stonehouse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Fox.
Stonehouse tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fox paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stonehouse tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fox paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stonehouse.
Fox throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stonehouse sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stonehouse fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stonehouse fails with the takedown

and Fox decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stonehouse's guard.
Stonehouse is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fox wants to control from the top but Stonehouse keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fox is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stonehouse is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stonehouse has escaped and now he's on top!
Fox is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Stonehouse stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fox swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fox is pulling down on Stonehouse's head to control his posture.

Fox has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Stonehouse off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Fox fails with the takedown

and Stonehouse holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox wants a takedown.
Stonehouse lands an elbow that stopped Fox in his tracks for a moment.
The referee is keeping an eye on Stonehouse - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Fox on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Stonehouse has Fox pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Stonehouse pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fox tumbling to the mat - Stonehouse dives into Fox's guard.
Fox controlling the position.
Fox bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stonehouse's guard.
Stonehouse is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fox wants to control from the top but Stonehouse keeps moving.
Fox controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox wants to control from the top but Stonehouse keeps moving.
Fox might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Stonehouse kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Fox throws a big right hand that misses.
Fox tries to free his leg and advance position but Stonehouse is retaining full guard.
Fox is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stonehouse looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Fox will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stonehouse tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fox throws a hook but Stonehouse blocks it.
Fox with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stonehouse counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fox shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Stonehouse counters by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stonehouse keeps control of Fox as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Stonehouse breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fox shoots in for a double leg but Stonehouse sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Paul Stonehouse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Fox.

Fox drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stonehouse keeping moving, preventing Fox from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Stonehouse keeping full guard, as Fox tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fox drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stonehouse manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Fox has Stonehouse in his guard.
Stonehouse trying to control but Fox is working from the bottom.
Fox is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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.
Fox wants to sweep but no luck.
Fox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Steve Fox.
Stonehouse connects with a crisp jab.
Stonehouse tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Fox counters with a shoot takedown. Stonehouse fights it but they end up in guard.
Fox loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stonehouse trying to control the position.
Stonehouse keeping moving, preventing Fox from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stonehouse wants to stand up but Fox is controlling him.
Fox trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fox showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fox accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Fox drops back, looking for a kneebar! Stonehouse looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Stonehouse looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Stonehouse!
Fox struggling a bit here.
Stonehouse trying to control the position but Fox is working away.

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.
Fox manages to get back to half guard.
Fox wants to control but Stonehouse is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Fox is doing well to control the position and prevent Stonehouse from advancing to side control.
Fox gets back to full guard.
Fox is breathing heavily.
Stonehouse wants to pass the guard but Fox is keeping the position.
Stonehouse wants to control from the top but Fox keeps moving.
Fox wants to sweep here but Stonehouse controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Fox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fox throws an overhand right that lands on Stonehouse's shoulder, as Stonehouse tries to avoid the shot.

Fox looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fox tries to free his leg and advance position but Stonehouse is retaining full guard.
Stonehouse tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fox is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Fox working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stonehouse keeping full guard, as Fox tries to pass.
Stonehouse will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fox throwing strikes from guard but Stonehouse blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stonehouse swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fox passes Stonehouse's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Fox is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fox takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stonehouse wants to improve his position but Fox is controlling well.

Fox is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two 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.
Stonehouse trying to control from the bottom.
Fox is stalling here. Stonehouse is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Fox seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Stonehouse has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Stonehouse wants to control but Fox is keeping him busy.
Fox tries to buck Stonehouse off but Stonehouse is having none of it.
Stonehouse working away.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stonehouse tries to clinch up

and Fox counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox looking to sit in guard and control but Stonehouse gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stonehouse thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Paul Stonehouse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fox bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stonehouse's guard.

Fox thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fox pushes down on Stonehouse's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Steve Fox is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Fox is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stonehouse defends it well.
Fox is looking to take a break and control but Stonehouse is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stonehouse wants to control but Fox is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Fox sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stonehouse defending well though.
Fox not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stonehouse is trying to stand back up but Fox is controlling him

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Stonehouse misses the target.
Fox misses with a takedown attempt
and Stonehouse counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Fox gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stonehouse counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Fox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fox winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Fox!