PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Hainz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephens comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Someday-Flipsyde kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Justin Stephens enters the cage!

Hainz
vs
Stephens

175 cm
20
168 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
174 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Warrior MMA $10 Boosters
Warrior MMA $10 Boosters

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Hainz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hainz tries to clinch there but Stephens circles away.
Hainz tries to clinch there but Stephens circles away.
Stephens thows a body shot but no joy.
Stephens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hainz.
Stephens fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hainz.
Hainz doesn't manage to clinch there - Stephens circles away.
Hainz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stephens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stephens throws an overhand right that lands on Hainz's shoulder, as Hainz tries to avoid the shot.
Hainz is looking to clinch but Stephens is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hainz sprawls well. Hainz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stephens gets slowly back to his feet.
Stephens looks to score with a jab to the body but Hainz is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens lands a head kick!
Hainz slips a jab from Stephens.
Stephens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hainz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Justin Stephens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hainz throws a head kick that misses.
Stephens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stephens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stephens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hainz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stephens looks to score with a jab to the body but Hainz is just out of range.
Stephens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

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.
Hainz dodges the punch combination from Stephens.
Stephens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stephens throws a head kick that misses.

Stephens tries to keep at a distance but Hainz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stephens is trying to drag Hainz to the mat but Hainz just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Stephens is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hainz can't fight it off and eventually Stephens manages to take the fight to the floor. Hainz looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stephens won't allow Hainz to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four 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.
Stephens wants to stand but Hainz has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Stephens dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stephens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hainz blocks a head kick by Stephens.
Stephens misses with a hook. Hainz ducked under it nicely.
A swing and a miss from Stephens.
Hainz thows a body shot but no joy.
Hainz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stephens.
Hainz staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens thuds his right hand into Hainz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hainz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hainz staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hainz. Hainz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stephens misses with a head kick.
Stephens throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hainz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stephens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hainz moves away.
Stephens tries a head kick but it misses.
Hainz throws a head kick that misses.
Stephens closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hainz circles away.
Stephens fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stephens works over Hainz's head and body with a nice combination.
Hainz staying out of range there.
Stephens pushes Hainz away with a front kick.
Stephens misses with a wild body shot.

That's two 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.
Stephens getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Stephens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hainz moves away.
Hainz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hainz moves in looking to clinch but Stephens pushes him off.
Stephens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hainz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stephens throws a jab but it's blocked by Hainz.
Stephens avoids the head kick by Hainz.
Stephens sizes up Hainz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Stephens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stephens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stephens looks to score with a jab to the body but Hainz is just out of range.
Stephens throws the left hand but Hainz avoids the punch easily.
Hainz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stephens.
Hainz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stephens shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hainz pinned against the cage. Hainz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hainz misses with a head kick.
Stephens misses with a head kick.
Hainz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stephens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four 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.
Stephens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stephens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stephens loads up on a big right hand but Hainz slips the punch.
Hainz throws a lazy head kick
and Stephens counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stephens loads up on a big right hand but Hainz slips the punch.
Stephens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stephens pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Stephens is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hainz's half guard.
Stephens controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Stephens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stephens tries a head kick but it misses.
Stephens is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hainz looks to clinch
and Stephens counters with a head kick.
Hainz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stephens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hainz circles away quickly and effectively.
Stephens keeps the fight on the outside.
Hainz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A swing and a miss from Stephens.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hainz darts in trying to clinch
and Stephens makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hainz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hainz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A left and a right from Stephens both land. Nice combination.
Hainz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stephens looks to throw the jab but Hainz is out of range.
Hainz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stephens.
Stephens connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hainz closes the distance looking to clinch
and Stephens counters with a head kick. That will keep Hainz thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Stephens throws a jab when Hainz was well out of range.
A jab from Stephens finds it's way through Hainz's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hainz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stephens.
Stephens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The fighters circling - Stephens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hainz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Stephens counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Stephens tests Hainz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hainz moves out of range of the strikes.
Stephens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hainz was well out of range. Poor timing from Stephens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hainz misses with a head kick.
Stephens looks to land a body kick but Hainz moved away.
Hainz avoids the head kick by Stephens.
Stephens throws a wild body kick that Hainz sees coming a mile off.
Stephens bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hainz's head backwards.
Stephens throws out a loose jab but Hainz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stephens thows a body shot but no joy.
Hainz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stephens.
A jab from Stephens misses.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hainz as he jumps to the side.
Stephens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four 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.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt.
Hainz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Stephens feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Hainz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hainz is looking to stand up but Stephens isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Stephens really 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.

Hainz misses with a head kick.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Hainz avoids them all with ease.
Stephens scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hainz moves away from the strike by Stephens.
Stephens throws a right and a left that Hainz avoids nicely.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stephens.
Stephens blocks a head kick by Hainz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens shoots in for a double leg but Hainz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stephens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt.
Stephens misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bruno Hainz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Stephens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hainz looks to clinch
and Stephens counters with a thumping low kick.
Stephens throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hainz's waist but Hainz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stephens off to one side.
A big left from Stephens misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hainz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stephens throws an overhand right that lands on Hainz's shoulder, as Hainz tries to avoid the shot.
Hainz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Stephens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Stephens.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown but Hainz shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Stephens looks to land a left hand but Hainz moved out of range nicely.
Stephens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stephens changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hainz tries to avoid it but Stephens manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hainz to the ground. Hainz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stephens is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Stephens changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hainz tries to avoid it but Stephens manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hainz to the ground. Hainz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stephens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stephens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stephens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hainz tries to clinch but Stephens moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hainz tries to clinch up
and Stephens counters with a head kick. That will keep Hainz thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Horrible takedown by Hainz or perhaps it was just good defense by Stephens which made him look bad.
Nice takedown defense from Stephens. No joy for Hainz on that attempt.
Stephens throws out a loose jab but Hainz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hainz as he avoids it easily.
Stephens tries to bum rush Hainz with a series of wild strikes but Hainz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hainz wants to clinch.

That's four 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 doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hainz counters with a head kick.
Stephens lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Stephens fails with the takedown

and Hainz counters by moving into the clinch.
Stephens managing to block the knees to the body from Hainz.
Stephens can't get the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stephens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hainz stops a takedown attempt from Stephens.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Hainz had his way with Justin Stephens in 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hainz wants to clinch up but Stephens keeps it at a distance.
Stephens misses with a takedown attempt - Hainz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stephens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hainz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stephens tries for a takedown but Hainz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hainz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hainz avoids the head kick by Stephens.
Hainz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stephens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hainz tries to clinch up
and Stephens counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hainz is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stephens is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hainz moves into the clinch.
Hainz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stephens drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hainz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bruno Hainz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Stephens.
Stephens throws an overhand right that lands on Hainz's shoulder, as Hainz tries to avoid the shot.
Stephens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hainz defending well as Stephens loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hainz throws a sloppy head kick and Stephens moves out of range easily.
Hainz slips under a jab from Stephens.
Stephens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stephens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hainz throws a sloppy head kick and Stephens moves out of range easily.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Hainz avoids them all with ease.
Hainz slips under a jab from Stephens.
Stephens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stephens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hainz manages to avoid it.
Stephens throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hainz tries to clinch but Stephens moves away
and Stephens counters with a stiff right hand.
Hainz closes the distance looking to clinch
and Stephens counters with a straight right hand.
Hainz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hainz checks a leg kick.
Stephens misses with a looping right.
Stephens avoids the head kick by Hainz.
Hainz wants to clinch up but Stephens keeps it at a distance.

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.
Stephens scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Hainz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stephens.
Hainz stuffs the takedown.
A head kick misses from Stephens.
Stephens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hainz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stephens is defended easily by Hainz.
Justin Stephens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stephens moves out of range as Hainz strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bruno Hainz.
I think Stephens 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 47:48
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Stephens!
Justin Stephens is the new welterweight champion!