PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between North Dakota Elite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevens comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Enter Sandman kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! North Dakota Elite could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Stevens's chin.

Dakota Elite
vs
Stevens

180 cm
26
171 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

179 cm
24
170 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, North Dakota Elite!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Stevens!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stevens wants it to stay on the feet.
Stevens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stevens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stevens.
Stevens throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Elite decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stevens's guard.
Elite stops Stevens from standing up.
Elite knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stevens on the ground.
Stevens is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Elite controlling from the top position.
Elite prevents Stevens from getting back to his feet.
Elite is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up. North Dakota Elite wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Elite tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stevens swivels and escapes.
No joy there for Stevens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stevens shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Elite eats them both and turns towards Stevens to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Stevens tries to sprawl but Elite drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is trying to stand back up but Elite is controlling him
Elite keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Stevens has one foot on Elite's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Stevens throws a left and a right that both miss

and Elite counters with a single leg into guard. Stevens didn't expect that.
Stevens looks gassed!
Stevens wants to stand and escape but Elite is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Elite trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Elite slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of North Dakota Elite.
Elite takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Stevens misses with a series of wild punches.
Elite is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stevens sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for North Dakota Elite. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Elite moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Elite is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stevens.
Elite fails with a takedown attempt.
Elite misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Elite gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stevens counters with a one-two to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Elite looks for a takedown but Stevens sprawls well.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stevens!
Elite slips a jab and a cross from Stevens.
Stevens throws a combination that misses

and Elite counters with a takedown into side control.
Stevens is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Stevens throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elite gets a double leg takedown into Stevens's guard.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Elite from controlling successfully.
Stevens wants to stand but Elite is controlling the position.
Elite wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Stevens wants to stand up but Elite is controlling him.

North Dakota Elite has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Stevens misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elite shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stevens but Stevens pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stevens fails to land with a series of punches.
Elite tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stevens swivels and escapes.
Elite fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stevens throws a nice looking combination but Elite bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stevens pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Elite drives through with a takedown into Stevens's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Stevens is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Stevens pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Elite throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stevens's waist but Stevens gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Elite off to one side.
Stevens works over Elite's head and body with a nice combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens misses with the combination.
Stevens throws a right hand that Elite ducks under and follows up with a left that Elite also avoids with ease.
Elite takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

North Dakota Elite dominated that round.
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.

Elite stuffs the takedown.
Elite avoids a punch combination nicely.
Elite shoots in looking for a takedown but Stevens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Elite's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stevens cracks a nice hook into Elite's ribs.
Stevens throws a head kick that Elite semi-blocks.
Elite misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Elite shoots in looking for a takedown but Stevens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Elite's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for North Dakota Elite. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Elite slips a jab and a cross from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a combination

and Elite counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Stevens wriggles free and stands up.
Elite shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevens throws a combination. Elite tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stevens scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Elite misses with a double jab.
Elite shoots in for a takedown but Stevens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stevens is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stevens looks to land a combination but Elite avoids it well.
Elite fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A combination from Stevens does no damage.
Stevens throws a combination. Elite tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Elite takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses.

Elite 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.
Elite has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Elite stops Stevens from standing up.

Stevens is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Stevens breaks the clinch.
Elite 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.
Stevens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stevens connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Stevens gets caught napping as Elite dives in and scores a takedown. Stevens manages to retain guard.
Elite stops Stevens from standing up.
Elite trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stevens scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Elite shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevens sprawls well. Stevens wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Elite gets slowly back to his feet.
A combination from Stevens does no damage.
Elite shoots in for a double leg but Stevens sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stevens throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Elite moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stevens is working the combinations to good effect here.
Stevens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stevens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Elite moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Elite shoots in but no luck this time.
Stevens misses with the combination.
Stevens misses with a few strikes there.
Elite shoots in looking for a takedown but Stevens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Elite's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sloppy strikes from Stevens. Those never looked like landing.
Stevens moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Stevens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Elite.
Elite fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stevens avoids it really well and circles away.
Elite dodges the punch combination from Stevens.
Stevens displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

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.
Elite showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stevens.
Stevens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Elite circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevens scores with a one two! Elite had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Elite fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stevens avoids it really well and circles away.
Stevens lands a jab-cross combination.
Stevens displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Stevens misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stevens's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Stevens duly obliges.
Stevens misses with a few strikes there.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevens lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Elite closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Elite scores with a couple of short elbows.
Elite wants to stand but Stevens has his arm trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Stevens will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Stevens decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Stevens decides to stand up.
Elite fails with the takedown.
Elite looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevens is fending him off so far but Elite persists. Nope, Stevens circles away and we're back to standing.
Stevens throws a combination. Elite tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stevens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stevens tests Elite's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stevens chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevens throws a left and a right that both miss

and Elite counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Elite.
Elite trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
North Dakota Elite overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Elite stops Stevens from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elite wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but Elite is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

We're going to have a standup here because North Dakota Elite wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Stevens throws a leg kick but Elite moved away.

Elite 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.
Stevens is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Elite is controlling him.
Elite landing some decent shots from guard.
Elite stops Stevens from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elite wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
Stevens wants to stand but Elite is controlling the position.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Elite from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. North Dakota Elite wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Elite changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stevens tries to avoid it but Elite manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stevens to the ground. Stevens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for North Dakota Elite. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Elite drives through with a takedown into guard.

Stevens has his feet on Elite's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Elite showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stevens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elite closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Stevens is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Elite taking a breather here.
Stevens is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Elite asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Elite tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Elite has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Elite working the ground and pound.
Elite tries to advance to mount but Stevens denies him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevens seems a little lost for a moment, as Elite dominates the positioning.
Elite wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stevens keeps working.
Stevens being controlled for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
North Dakota Elite showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Elite 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... North Dakota Elite!