PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Doctor Gonzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gonzo has chosen White Rabbit as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Doctor Gonzo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stephenson
vs
Gonzo

188 cm
26
245 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

189 cm
19
275 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, George Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Doctor Gonzo!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephenson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Stephenson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gonzo circles away quickly and effectively.
Stephenson misses with a takedown
and Gonzo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gonzo avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephenson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Some bone on bone action there as Stephenson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Stephenson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch combination from Stephenson misses.

Gonzo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Stephenson!
Gonzo misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Stephenson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Gonzo looking to control but Stephenson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Gonzo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gonzo tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stephenson is squirming around, avoiding Gonzo's attempts to control the action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gonzo working Stephenson over with strikes here.
Gonzo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo throwing strikes but Stephenson recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Gonzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stephenson is not content to let Gonzo control the position.
Gonzo looks to land a strike but Stephenson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Stephenson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stephenson tries to get out of the position.
Stephenson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gonzo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gonzo is looking to work some ground and pound but Stephenson has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gonzo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stephenson is keeping the position for now.
Stephenson is breathing heavily.
Gonzo working some strikes from top position.
Gonzo is looking to work some ground and pound but Stephenson has wrist control.
Stephenson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gonzo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doctor Gonzo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gonzo shoots in for a takedown but Stephenson shows good takedown defense.
Gonzo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stephenson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stephenson misses with a two punch combination.
Gonzo has a takedown stuffed.
George Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Doctor Gonzo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gonzo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzo drops an elbow to the side of Stephenson's head.
Gonzo with the ground and pound but Stephenson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Gonzo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gonzo postures up in Stephenson's guard and throws a big left but Stephenson blocks it.
Gonzo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gonzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Stephenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stephenson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stephenson wants to stand and escape but Gonzo is having none of it.
Gonzo throwing strikes from guard but Stephenson blocks nicely.
Gonzo thows a big elbow that misses.
Gonzo wants to control from the top but Stephenson keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Doctor Gonzo hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Gonzo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gonzo slips a jab and a cross from Stephenson.
Gonzo dodges the punch combination from Stephenson.

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.

Gonzo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gonzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stephenson defending well though.
Gonzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stephenson defending well though.
Gonzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gonzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gonzo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gonzo thows a huge punch but Stephenson dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doctor Gonzo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gonzo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stephenson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gonzo somewhat.
A punch combination from Stephenson misses.
Gonzo shoots in for a takedown but Stephenson shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephenson throws a series of punches but Gonzo moves out of range.
Stephenson throws a nice looking combination but Gonzo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gonzo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gonzo lands a couple of elbows.
Gonzo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gonzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Gonzo from controlling successfully.
Gonzo is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gonzo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gonzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stephenson defending well though.
Gonzo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gonzo lands a nice short elbow.
Gonzo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gonzo lands strikes from half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Still in half guard, Gonzo seems content to control.
Doctor Gonzo has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo is looking to take a break and control but Stephenson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stephenson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
George Stephenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephenson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gonzo.
Stephenson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gonzo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gonzo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gonzo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stephenson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gonzo.
Gonzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stephenson defending well though.
Gonzo slows the pace down in half guard.
Stephenson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gonzo lands a nice short elbow.
Stephenson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Doctor Gonzo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gonzo 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 26:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doctor Gonzo!