PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Hazard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevenson comes to the cage accompanied by Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili Peppers. 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.

Stevenson
vs
Hazard

175 cm
18
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

Transformer Supplements
Transformer Supplements

Boondock Fightwear
Boondock Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joseph Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Hazard!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hazard dodges the punch combination from Stevenson.

Hazard drives through and clinches with Stevenson against the cage.
Stevenson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hazard or not.
Stevenson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Stevenson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stevenson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Stevenson shoots in and drives through. Hazard sprawls well.
Joseph Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hazard shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Stevenson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hazard postures up.
Stevenson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hazard trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevenson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hazard trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevenson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hazard is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevenson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hazard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stevenson is looking to stand up but Hazard isn't so interested in that idea.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.
Stevenson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Hazard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Hazard is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Stevenson pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hazard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Stevenson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Stevenson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stevenson trying to control from half guard but Hazard is working away.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stevenson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hazard counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Stevenson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hazard pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stevenson wants to break free but Hazard has control.
Stevenson stops a takedown attempt from Hazard.
Stevenson wants a takedown but no success here.
Stevenson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hazard.
Stevenson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hazard just leaning against Stevenson, taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson has Hazard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hazard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Stevenson is trying to break free.
Hazard tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Hazard pulls guard effortlessly.
Hazard keeping moving, preventing Stevenson from controlling successfully.
Stevenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hazard is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stevenson looking to sit in guard and control but Hazard gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stevenson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hazard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stevenson looking to control.

Stevenson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Stevenson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson wants to sweep but no luck.

Stevenson has his feet on Hazard's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Stevenson fails with the takedown

and Hazard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stevenson seems keen to control Hazard's posture.
Stevenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stevenson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hazard!

Stevenson is standing up, even though he is in mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hazard has his takedown stuffed

and Stevenson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stevenson throwing strikes but missing.

Hazard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joseph Stevenson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stevenson moves into the clinch successfully.
Hazard gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevenson.
Hazard is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Stevenson is pressed up against the cage. Hazard has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stevenson down to the mat. Stevenson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Stevenson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Hazard counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hazard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stevenson can't keep his opponent in guard - Hazard advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hazard trying to control from half guard but Stevenson is working away.
Stevenson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hazard passes Stevenson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hazard throwing shots but Stevenson is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Hazard seems content to control.
Stevenson gets back to full guard.
Hazard stays in close to Stevenson's body and controls the position.
Hazard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stevenson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stevenson keeping moving, preventing Hazard from controlling successfully.
Stevenson looking to control.
Joseph Stevenson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hazard trying to control but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
Stevenson controls Hazard momentarily but Hazard frees himself.

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.
Hazard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stevenson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stevenson tries to bum rush Hazard with a series of wild strikes but Hazard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stevenson has his takedown stuffed
and Hazard makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Stevenson really felt that one!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hazard instigates a clinch.
Stevenson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hazard has him pressed against the cage.
Stevenson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hazard drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hazard is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Stevenson manages to break the clinch.
Stevenson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hazard counters with a takedown into side control.
Hazard is looking to take a break and control but Stevenson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stevenson is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hazard passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Stevenson!
Hazard avoids the attempt from Stevenson to control.
Stevenson is squirming around, avoiding Hazard's attempts to control the action.
Stevenson flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Hazard scoring with strikes but Stevenson is staying in there.
Hazard wants to control the pace but Stevenson is squirming around nicely.

Hazard looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Hazard looking to control but Stevenson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

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.
Stevenson is trying to escape the mount.

Hazard swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Stevenson is now in Hazard's guard. A big mistake from Hazard there, giving up the dominant position!
Hazard throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Hazard had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Stevenson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Hazard Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Stevenson's back instead.
Stevenson is in bad spot here.

Hazard working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Stevenson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Hazard doesn't have the hooks in and Stevenson manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Hazard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Stevenson throws a looping overhand right but Hazard ducks down to avoid it.
Stevenson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hazard swivels and escapes.
Stevenson closes the distance and clinches up with Hazard, looking for a takedown. Stevenson pushes Hazard against the cage but Hazard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stevenson misses with a takedown

and Hazard counters with a single leg into guard. Stevenson didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stevenson looking for a guillotine here but Hazard defends easily.
Stevenson working a defensive guard here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stevenson is on top in guard.
Stevenson wants to control from the top but Hazard keeps moving.
Hazard keeping full guard, as Stevenson tries to pass.

Hazard looking for a guillotine here but Stevenson defends easily.
Hazard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson working some strikes from top position.
Stevenson wants to control from the top but Hazard keeps moving.
Hazard keeping full guard, as Stevenson tries to pass.

Stevenson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Stevenson tries to clinch up
and Hazard counters with a low kick, right behind Stevenson 's knee.

Stevenson shoots in and bounces Hazard off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stevenson wants to control from the top but Hazard keeps moving.
Stevenson is looking to stand up but Hazard won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson wants to pass the guard but Hazard is keeping the position.

Hazard throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hazard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stevenson throwing strikes from guard but Hazard blocks nicely.
Stevenson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stevenson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stevenson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hazard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hazard is trying to control the position but Stevenson postures up.
Stevenson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hazard is proving hard to escape from.
Stevenson trying to control but Hazard is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stevenson tries to clinch up but Hazard circles away and keeps his distance.
Stevenson has his takedown stuffed

and Hazard counters by moving into the clinch.
Stevenson is stalling here.
Stevenson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hazard fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stevenson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hazard. Hazard obviously looking to wear him down.
Horrible takedown by Stevenson or perhaps it was just good defense by Hazard which made him look bad.
Hazard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stevenson.
Stevenson darts in trying to clinch

and Hazard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stevenson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Stevenson keeping busy on the bottom but Hazard has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hazard passes to full mount!
Stevenson is looking to improve his position but Hazard isn't that keen on the idea.
Stevenson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Stevenson advances position into side control!

Stevenson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stevenson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Stevenson working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Hazard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hazard has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Hazard!