PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerome Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Smith
vs
Stevens

185 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
220 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Fuel

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jerome Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith looks for a takedown but Stevens sprawls well.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stevens tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stevens to the ground. Stevens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.
Stevens is not content to let Smith control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith is working Stevens over with some ground and pound from side control.
Stevens is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Stevens regains half guard.
Stevens is trying to get back to full guard.
Stevens 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.
Stevens trying to control here.
Stevens wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Stevens is keeping him busy.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Stevens scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jab from Stevens.
Danga de danga de dang - Stevens scores with a four punch combination!
Jerome Stevens is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horrible takedown by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Stevens which made him look bad.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Stevens sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stevens swivels and escapes.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Stevens circles away.

Smith scores with a takedown into Stevens's guard.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.
Stevens lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!
Stevens tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stevens scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Smith?
Smith in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Stevens putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Smith is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Stevens raining down shots from the mount!
Smith in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Smith is rocked!
Stevens looking to control and managing it successfully.
Stevens scoring with strikes but Smith is staying in there.
Oh Smith is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smith holds on for dear life.
Smith on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Smith tries to get out of the position.
Smith wants to control but Stevens is having none of it.
A nice elbow there by Stevens.
Stevens scoring with strikes but Smith is staying in there.
Smith tries to lock up and control but Stevens gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Stevens cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands a nice shot to the head.
Stevens putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Stevens sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Stevens dominating with strikes here.
Stevens has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens lands a heavy elbow.
Stevens punishing his opponent with strikes.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stevens on the ground.
Stevens lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Smith working to try and regain half guard.
The referee warns Smith that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith is looking to get to half guard.
Smith tries to hold on but Stevens postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerome Stevens dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevens as he jumps to the side.
Stevens buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Stevens has eaten all the pies!
Stevens lands a jab-cross combination.
Stevens throws a quick inside leg kick.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Stevens with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Smith is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stevens.
Stevens throws a shot to the body.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stevens pinned against the cage. Stevens gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens throws a series of strikes that have Smith backpedaling.
Mark Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevens swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown but Stevens sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smith seems to have got his legs back now.
Stevens catches Smith with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Smith drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stevens is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.
Stevens trying to control the position.
Smith is in close to Stevens's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Smith stands up out of Stevens's guard for a moment - Stevens manages to land a nice upkick.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Stevens is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Smith won't allow Stevens to sweep him here.
Stevens lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!
Smith gets back to half guard.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but Stevens is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to stand but Smith has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Stevens 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.
Stevens tries to stand and escape but Smith is controlling the position.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Smith wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Smith tries to roll over but Stevens keeps him under control.
Smith is trying to control but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A left and a right from Stevens both land. Nice combination.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevens as he jumps to the side.

Smith clinches with his opponent.
Stevens wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Stevens wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.

Smith lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Stevens is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.

Stevens makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Stevens changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stevens's guard.
Smith sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stevens's guard.
Smith is controlling the pace.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Stevens!
Stevens tries to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Smith raining down shots from the mount!
Stevens tries to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Stevens manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Stevens wants to control but Smith is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stevens pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.
Smith is tying to control. Stevens wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith is just content to waste time from the top position. Stevens takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Smith's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Stevens throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Smith dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith scores with a takedown into Stevens's guard.
Stevens thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Stevens.
Smith stops Stevens from standing up.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stevens bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Smith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Stevens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
Jerome Stevens has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stevens gets to his feet - Smith follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens lands a head shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Stevens shows good takedown defense.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A shot to de liver by Stevens. Beautiful body shot.
Stevens digs a good hook to Smith's body.
Smith fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith darts in and clinches Stevens up against the cage.
Stevens is looking to break free of the clinch but Smith has double underhooks.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stevens pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stevens throws a quick inside leg kick.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A good leg kick by Stevens.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Stevens sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens scores with a body shot.
A left and a right from Stevens both land. Nice combination.
Stevens scores with a nice right hand.
A cross from Stevens lands.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stevens.
Mark Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stevens has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Smith gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stevens throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice body punch from Stevens.
Stevens lands a jab-cross combination.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevens as he jumps to the side.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Stevens lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!
Stevens looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is squirming around, avoiding Stevens's attempts to control the action.
Smith tries to reverse the position but Stevens maintains control.
Stevens tries to control but Smith wriggling away.
Stevens landing shots from mount.
Stevens with a couple of short strikes.
Smith tries to hold on but Stevens pushes him away.
Stevens prevents Smith from getting the reversal.
Smith wants to control but Stevens is having none of it.
Smith is looking to improve his position but Stevens isn't that keen on the idea.
Stevens lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

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.
Smith tries to buck Stevens off but he can't manage it.
Stevens lands a big shot there that rocks Smith but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Smith tries to hold on but Stevens pushes him away.
Stevens wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.
Smith takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Stevens breaks from Smith's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Smith is bucking up trying to escape but Stevens cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Smith is trying desperately to improve position.
Stevens working Smith over with strikes here.
Stevens with a couple of short strikes.
Smith is wriggling around trying to escape.
Stevens controlling the pace for now.
Stevens punching from mount but Smith doing a good job of avoiding damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jerome Stevens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stevens 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jerome Stevens!