PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harold Wilbert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stevens
vs
Wilbert

190 cm
23
156 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tommy Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Harold Wilbert!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilbert closes the distance but Stevens moves to the side

and Stevens counters with a shoot takedown. Wilbert fights it but they end up in guard.
Wilbert is looking to stand up but Stevens isn't so interested in that idea.

Wilbert scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Wilbert tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Stevens counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wilbert is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Wilbert really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stevens. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stevens is working Wilbert over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Stevens controlling from the top position.
Stevens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Stevens 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.
Wilbert wants to stand and escape but Stevens is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens trying to control but Wilbert is working from the bottom.
Stevens won't allow Wilbert to get back to his feet.
Stevens will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Wilbert looks gassed!
Stevens postures up in Wilbert's guard and throws a big left but Wilbert blocks it.
Wilbert wants to stand but Stevens is controlling the position.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wilbert closes the distance but Stevens moves to the side

and Stevens counters with a shoot takedown. Wilbert fights it but they end up in guard.
Wilbert is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevens is controlling him.
Stevens lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stevens is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Wilbert working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stevens.
Stevens throwing strikes from guard but Wilbert blocks nicely.
Stevens landing some decent shots from guard.

Stevens 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.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Wilbert keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilbert is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevens is controlling him.

Stevens 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.
Wilbert keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
Wilbert wants to get back to his feet but Stevens is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Wilbert keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
Stevens is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Wilbert is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tommy Stevens wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Stevens fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wilbert, pushing him back against the cage.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wilbert closes the distance but Stevens moves to the side

and Stevens counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wilbert has Stevens pressed against the cage, preventing Stevens from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Wilbert unloads a knee to the mid-section. Stevens lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stevens creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wilbert with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Stevens has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Wilbert uses from the top position.
Wilbert wants to stand but Stevens is controlling his posture from full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Stevens 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.

Wilbert looks to clinch

and Stevens counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wilbert creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stevens's defenses.
Stevens blocks the elbow strike.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wilbert moves to clinch but Stevens breaks away

and Stevens decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Wilbert's guard.
Stevens looking to sit in guard and control but Wilbert gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Stevens wants to stand up but Wilbert is controlling him.
Stevens has a closed guard, preventing Wilbert from standing up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Stevens wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is looking to clinch.

Wilbert fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stevens, pushing him back against the cage.
Stevens is trying to push Wilbert away but Wilbert has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stevens is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wilbert pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Wilbert.
Wilbert lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Tommy Stevens has been cut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Wilbert.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Wilbert.
Wilbert with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wilbert misses with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Wilbert.
Wilbert landing knees to the head.
Wilbert is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Wilbert lands a nice elbow.
Wilbert lands a knee to the head.
Stevens dodges an elbow strike from Wilbert.
Stevens working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stevens can't break the clinch.
Wilbert's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilbert gets underhooks to prevent Stevens's takedown attempt.
Wilbert using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stevens has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Stevens manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tommy Stevens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.
Stevens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Stevens is working an open guard so Wilbert takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Stevens changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wilbert looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wilbert is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Stevens asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Stevens is looking to take a break and control but Wilbert is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stevens working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilbert is pushing Stevens's head away, looking to escape. Stevens manages to hold on to the position though.
Stevens lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Wilbert down.

Stevens looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Wilbert is looking to get back to his feet here but Stevens is keeping cool and he's managed to take Wilbert's back.
Wilbert holding both Stevens 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four 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.
Stevens trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Wilbert controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Stevens is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Stevens cracks Wilbert with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Wilbert from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Stevens dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Stevens's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Wilbert darts in trying to clinch

and Stevens counters by moving into the clinch.
Stevens changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wilbert fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stevens fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wilbert avoids it really well and circles away.
Wilbert wants to clinch
and Stevens counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wilbert wants to clinch
and Stevens counters with a slapping leg kick.
Wilbert moves to clinch but Stevens breaks away

and Stevens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stevens takes a knee to the side of the body.
Wilbert creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stevens's defenses.
Stevens takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stalling in the clinch from Wilbert.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wilbert tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
A knee to the head by Wilbert.
Wilbert stalling against the cage.
Wilbert lands an elbow inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilbert unloads a knee to the mid-section. Stevens lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wilbert misses with a knee strike.
Wilbert misses with an elbow strike.
Stevens tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wilbert just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wilbert throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stevens blocks it with crossed arms.
Stevens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wilbert avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wilbert connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stevens's face.
Nice body punch from Stevens - that landed with a thud.
Wilbert throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stevens managing to block the knees to the body from Wilbert.
Wilbert tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.
Stevens has Wilbert pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wilbert manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wilbert with a knee to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Wilbert.
Wilbert trying to land knees to the body.
Wilbert dodges an elbow strike from Stevens.
Stevens is looking to break free of the clinch but Wilbert has double underhooks.
Wilbert gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wilbert creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wilbert throws an elbow that misses.
Wilbert lands a good knee to the midsection. Stevens won't want to take too many of those.

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.
Stevens has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stevens trying to stall but Wilbert improves his position.
Wilbert unloads a knee to the mid-section. Stevens lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stevens tries for a takedown. No joy.
Wilbert using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Wilbert gets underhooks to prevent Stevens's takedown attempt.
Wilbert tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Wilbert throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stevens takes an elbow to the temple.
Stevens throws an elbow but it misses.
Wilbert connects with a knee to the head.
Wilbert with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Stevens tries to break the clinch but Wilbert is controlling the position.
Stevens is trying to drag Wilbert to the mat but Wilbert just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wilbert pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevens leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Stevens has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Wilbert putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Stevens in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Wilbert lands an elbow inside.
Wilbert avoids a wild elbow strike from Stevens.
Wilbert looking to throw knees to the head but Stevens is blocking nicely.
A short body shot lands from Stevens as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilbert lands a nice elbow.
Stevens fails to pull guard.
Nice elbow from Wilbert.
Wilbert throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stevens blocks it with crossed arms.
Wilbert tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Wilbert tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.
Stevens has Wilbert pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wilbert manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wilbert lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
Wilbert tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Stevens wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Wilbert won't allow it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Wilbert gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevens.
Stevens lands with a light punch inside.
Harold Wilbert has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wilbert lands an elbow inside that Stevens shrugs off.
Stevens wants a takedown.
Stevens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wilbert creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stevens's defenses.
Wilbert lands a knee to the head.
Stevens wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Stevens breaks from the clinch.

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.
Stevens fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Wilbert has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Wilbert blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Wilbert throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wilbert moves to clinch but Stevens breaks away
and Stevens counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Wilbert closes the distance but Stevens moves to the side

and Stevens counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stevens.

Stevens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stevens gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Wilbert closes the distance looking to clinch

and Stevens counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wilbert is stalling here.

Stevens has hold of one of Wilbert's legs. Wilbert is fighting the takedown attempt but Stevens gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Stevens scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Tommy Stevens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Wilbert has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stevens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Harold Wilbert.
I think Stevens 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

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