PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kamal Samchung (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carter Stephens (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.

Samchung
vs
Stephens

189 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kamal Samchung!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Carter Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Samchung as he jumps to the side.

Samchung gets the takedown into side control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Stephens takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Samchung is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Stephens knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Stephens can't do much from the bottom here.
Samchung has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Samchung tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Stephens regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samchung decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Samchung moves into the clinch.

Samchung decides to pull guard.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Samchung is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Samchung will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Stephens won't allow Samchung to sweep him here.
Stephens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Samchung not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stephens sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Samchung looking for a sweep. Not yet Samchung, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samchung preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Samchung is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Carter Stephens was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Stephens darts in trying to clinch

and Samchung holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stephens slows down the pace here.
Samchung is trying to break free.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Stephens has eaten all the pies!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Samchung fails to pull guard.

Samchung manages to pull guard.
Stephens stays in close to Samchung's body and controls the position.
Samchung working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samchung wants to stand but Stephens is controlling the position.
Stephens looking to pass the guard.
Samchung wants to sweep here but Stephens controlling him for the moment.

Stephens gets to his feet - Samchung follows without any prompting.

Samchung fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stephens, pushing him back against the cage.
Stephens is trying to break the clinch but Samchung has him pressed against the cage.
Come on Stephens - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Stephens prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stephens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stephens shoots in for a double leg but Samchung sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stephens fails with the takedown

so Samchung counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kamal Samchung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carter Stephens.
Samchung is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Samchung missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Samchung is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Stephens has momentary wrist control but Samchung slips an elbow through the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stephens is working an open guard so Samchung takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Samchung as he avoids it easily.
Samchung shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kamal Samchung dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stephens shoots in looking for a takedown. Samchung tries to sprawl out of it but Stephens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Samchung manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stephens throws a right and a left that Samchung avoids nicely.

Samchung lands a big head kick that sends Stephens tumbling to the mat! Samchung takes a step backwards and waves Stephens back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Stephens is rocked!

It looks like Carter Stephens has been cut.

Samchung has Stephens up against the cage in a clinch.
Stephens is still on wobbly legs! Can Samchung finish him?

Samchung escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Samchung fails to land the takedown.
Samchung tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stephens swivels and escapes.
Stephens seems to have recovered his senses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Samchung tries to clinch but Stephens moves out of range.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stephens closes the distance and clinches up with Samchung, looking for a takedown. Stephens pushes Samchung against the cage but Samchung circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kamal Samchung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carter Stephens.
Samchung changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stephens.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens keeps the fight on the outside.
Samchung shoots for a takedown but Stephens saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Samchung gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Samchung lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Stephens wants to get back to his feet.
Samchung scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Samchung looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Samchung landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Samchung trying to control the action but Stephens is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Samchung is working for a submission of some sort.
Samchung trying to mount his opponent but Stephens defends it.
Samchung lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
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!
Stephens has hold of Samchung's hands but Samchung slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stephens wants to control but Samchung is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Samchung looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens trying to control from the bottom.
Samchung has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Samchung will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Samchung is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Stephens is squirming around, avoiding Samchung's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samchung is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Stephens is surviving well by controlling Samchung's body position as best he can.
Samchung is landing with some decent strikes but Stephens is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kamal Samchung overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Samchung breaks from Stephens's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Samchung cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Samchung tries to control but Stephens wriggling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stephens is desperately trying to improve his position but Samchung has a good base and remains in mount.
Samchung lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kamal Samchung dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Carter Stephens's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Samchung looks for a takedown but Stephens sprawls well.
Samchung stuffs the takedown attempt from Stephens. Stephens gets slowly back to his feet.
Stephens swats away the attempt to clinch by Samchung.
Stephens shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Samchung pinned against the cage. Samchung gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Stephens moves into the clinch successfully.
Samchung is looking to break free of the clinch but Stephens has double underhooks.

Samchung breaks from the clinch.
Kamal Samchung is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch lands to the side of Stephens 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samchung defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stephens.
Kamal Samchung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carter Stephens.
Stephens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stephens fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Stephens as Samchung shoots in.
Stephens scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Samchung looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Samchung looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stephens is fending him off so far but Samchung persists. Nope, Stephens circles away and we're back to standing.
Stephens shoots for a takedown but Samchung saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Samchung moves into the clinch.

Samchung breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kamal Samchung seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stephens tries to clinch there but Samchung circles away.
Samchung swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens tries for a takedown but Samchung sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Samchung lands with a kick to the temple. Stephens shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Stephens closes the distance and clinches.
Samchung taking a breather.
Stephens is trying to stall.
Stephens prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Stephens jumps guard.
Stephens wants to improve his position but instead Samchung has moved into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samchung lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Samchung is thwarting Stephens's attempts to control the position.
Samchung wants to take a breather but Stephens is having none of it.

Samchung stands up out of the half guard.

Samchung has closed the distance and engaged Stephens in a clinch.

Samchung jumps guard and drags Stephens to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Stephens trying to control but Samchung is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samchung looking to control.
Stephens won't allow Samchung to sweep him here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stephens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Samchung has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stephens has managed to get both his arms back between Samchung's legs - danger averted.
Stephens is stalling in the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stephens being controlled here momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kamal Samchung showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Samchung has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kamal Samchung!