PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Davey Steeves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randal Stevens (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.

Steeves
vs
Stevens

195 cm
21
200 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
185 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Davey Steeves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Randal Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steeves connects with a nice looking jab.
Stevens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steeves was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevens.

Steeves 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.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.
Steeves seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Stevens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stevens really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Steeves. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Steeves trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.

Steeves drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Steeves jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Steeves missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steeves won't allow Stevens to sweep him here.
Stevens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Steeves trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Steeves will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Stevens tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stevens can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Steeves controls the pace.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Stevens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steeves is one step ahead there.
Steeves trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Steeves slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Davey Steeves has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Steeves misses with a takedown
and Stevens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Steeves shoots and misses
and Stevens counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Steeves has his takedown stuffed
and Stevens counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davey Steeves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steeves has his takedown stuffed

and Stevens counters by clinching up.
A short left from Stevens.
Stevens lands a body punch in the clinch.
Steeves is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Steeves is breathing heavily.
Stevens lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Steeves fails to pull guard.
Stevens gets through Steeves's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Stevens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steeves tries for a takedown but Stevens manages to get underhooks.
Stevens lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steeves's elbow.
Steeves drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stevens pulls his leg out and moves away.
Steeves has his takedown stuffed
and Stevens counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Davey Steeves has been cut.
Stevens throws the left hand but Steeves avoids the punch easily.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens scores with a nice right hand.
A jab lands there for Stevens.
A telegraphed right hand from Stevens misses the target.
Stevens misses with a left hand

and Steeves counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stevens won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens is trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Steeves is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Stevens is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Steeves working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens sneaks back into half guard.
Steeves looks to land a strike but Stevens avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Steeves stands and throws Stevens's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stevens tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steeves lands a nice forearm strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Randal Stevens will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Davey Steeves's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Steeves shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Stevens counters by clinching up.
A left hand lands to the body for Stevens.
The referee is keeping an eye on Stevens - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Stevens gets underhooks to prevent Steeves's takedown attempt.
Stevens prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davey Steeves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Steeves wants the takedown. Stevens is fighting it off but Steeves persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Stevens's guard against the cage.
Steeves trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steeves preventing the sweep.
Steeves works over Stevens with some ground and pound from guard.
Steeves stopping the sweep attempt from Stevens.
Steeves wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steeves works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Steeves is pressing down on Stevens's thigh, looking to free his foot. Stevens is holding on for now.
Stevens makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stevens.
Stevens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steeves is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Steeves trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steeves sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Steeves wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Davey Steeves just wasn't active enough.
Steeves with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stevens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steeves misses with a takedown attempt

and Stevens counters by clinching up.
Stevens lands a body shot.
Stevens presses Steeves against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steeves blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stevens lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Steeves.
Stevens lands a hook that snaps the head of Steeves backwards.
Stevens gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Steeves.
Stevens lands with a right to the head.
Stevens swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Stevens manages to break the clinch.
Steeves bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stevens tries to clinch but Steeves is having none of it.
Steeves has his takedown stuffed
and Stevens counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Steeves keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stevens.
Steeves misses with a takedown attempt
and Stevens counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steeves fails to land with a series of punches.
Steeves steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
Steeves has his takedown stuffed
enabling Stevens to counter with a crisp jab.
Stevens misses the body punch
and Steeves counters with a nice kick to the body.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steeves manages to avoid it.
Stevens misses with the combination.

Stevens instigates a clinch.
Stevens lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stevens gets underhooks to prevent Steeves's takedown attempt.
Stevens tries to throw a body punch but Steeves avoids it by throwing Stevens back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Stevens.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randal Stevens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Davey Steeves's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Steeves fails with the takedown

and Stevens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stevens stalling the fight.
Stevens works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stevens misses with some punches.
Stevens scores with a hook to the body.
Steeves blocks an uppercut.
Stevens has a couple of punches blocked by Steeves.
Stevens lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Steeves.
Steeves drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stevens gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A body shot lands from Stevens.
Stevens works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stevens makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Good body shot from Stevens.

Stevens manages to break the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Steeves does a little dance to reset his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stevens wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens misses with a shot to the body

and Steeves decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stevens's guard.
Steeves won't allow Stevens to sweep him here.

Steeves drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stevens manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Steeves has Stevens in his guard.
Stevens is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Steeves looking for a sweep. Not yet Steeves, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steeves looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Steeves looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stevens preventing the sweep.
Stevens trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Steeves throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Steeves lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stevens!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is trying desperately to improve position.
Steeves controlling the pace for now.
Stevens is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Steeves punishing his opponent with strikes.
Steeves looking to control but Stevens is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Steeves lands a nice shot to the head.
Steeves can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stevens is looking to escape.
Stevens is wriggling around trying to escape.

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 Davey Steeves.
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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

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