PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stephenson
vs
Machine

192 cm
18
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, The Machine!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stephenson pushes Machine up against the cage in a clinch.

Machine breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stephenson looks to land a combination. Machine sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Stephenson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stephenson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Machine manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Machine. Those never looked like landing.
Machine takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stephenson fails to land the takedown.
Machine misses with a wild combination.
Machine shoots in for a double leg but Stephenson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Machine fails with a takedown attempt.
Stephenson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Machine.
Anthony Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Machine.
Machine takes a swing at Stephenson's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stephenson tries to clinch but Machine moves out of range.
Machine moves in looking to clinch but Stephenson pushes him off.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Stephenson. Machine shrugs it off though.
Stephenson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Machine manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stephenson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stephenson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Machine avoids it really well and circles away.
Machine misses with a straight left.
Stephenson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Machine swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Stephenson has closed the distance and engaged Machine in a clinch.

Machine's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson throws a head kick that misses.
Stephenson tries to clinch but Machine is having none of it.
Machine fails to land the takedown.
Stephenson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stephenson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Machine drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stephenson is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machine with a flurry of punches that miss.

Machine stands up and waves to Stephenson to follow him.
Stephenson wants to clinch up but Machine keeps it at a distance.
Stephenson tries to clinch but Machine is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Machine misses its intended target.
Stephenson shoots in but Machine avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Machine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stephenson.
Stephenson throws a body kick that misses.

Machine has closed the distance and engaged Stephenson in a clinch.
Machine keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stephenson's efforts to push away.
Machine crunches a lovely knee into Stephenson's ribcage.

Machine tightens his grip and picks Stephenson up, before dumping him to the ground. Stephenson manages to land in guard.
Stephenson keeping full guard, as Machine tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machine throws a strike but Stephenson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Machine has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Machine pulls Stephenson in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machine keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.
Machine wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. The Machine wasn't active enough on the ground.
Machine misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Machine dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stephenson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machine's waist but Machine gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stephenson off to one side.
Stephenson looks to land a combination but Machine avoids it well.
Stephenson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Machine throws a head kick that misses.
Stephenson tries to land a front kick but Machine steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Stephenson takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Machine gets a double leg takedown into Stephenson's guard.
Machine postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Machine stays in close to Stephenson's body and controls the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machine is pushing down on Stephenson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stephenson is fighting to maintain full guard but Machine has managed to sneak the leg through.

Machine stands up from half guard.
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!
Machine fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine throws a nice outside leg kick.
Machine fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Machine clinches up with Stephenson and pushes him back against the cage.

Machine manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Stephenson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Machine keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.
Machine pulls Stephenson in close to prevent any damage.
Machine lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stephenson!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machine controlling the pace for now.
Stephenson taking shots to the head.

Machine is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Stephenson has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Stephenson!
Machine seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stephenson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Machine has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stephenson has managed to get both his arms back between Machine's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine wants to sweep but no luck.
Machine lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stephenson!
Machine has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stephenson's face.

Machine swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). The Machine!