PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Randal Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Rash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stevens
vs
Rash

175 cm
27
185 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
200 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Randal Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matt Rash!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rash works Stevens's body with a nice hook.
Rash displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stevens throws out the jab.
Rash steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
Rash with a nice cross.
Rash thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rash misses with a body shot.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.
Rash fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Rash throws a low kick, looking for Stevens's leg but Stevens calmly moves out of range.
Rash takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stevens throws a sloppy body shot
and Rash counters with a three punch combo that has Stevens backing up. Stevens nods at Rash to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rash will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Stevens misses the jab.
Decent striking displayed by Stevens there.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stevens takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rash slips under a jab from Stevens.
Nice uppercut lands for Stevens. That snapped Rash's head back.
Rash throws a body punch but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rash on the side of the head.
Rash ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stevens moves away.
Stevens misses the shot to the body.
Stevens scores with a jab.
Rash circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rash throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stevens sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevens closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stevens lands in his opponent's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rash can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rash keeping full guard, as Stevens tries to pass.
Stevens controlling from the top position.
Stevens seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Rash for as long as he can get away with.
Rash really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stevens. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rash keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rash swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Randal Stevens just wasn't active enough.
Rash misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
Rash throws a predictable looking body shot
and Stevens counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stevens digs a good hook to Rash's body.
Rash throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rash takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Stevens moves into the clinch successfully.
Stevens effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stevens scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A left hand lands to the body for Stevens.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rash tries to stall but Stevens uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Stevens throws a punch but it's blocked by Rash.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stevens creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stevens misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Stevens.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stevens.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rash's elbow.
Stevens doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rash's elbow.
Stevens swings wildly with an uppercut but Rash uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stevens gets through Rash's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stevens working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stevens misses with a punch on the inside.
Rash works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stevens has Rash pressed against the cage.
Stevens stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws a head punch that misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Stevens digs a right hand into Rash's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rash's gas tank.
Stevens slows down the pace here.
Stevens doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rash blocks an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Stevens.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rash blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stevens.
Stevens tries to work over Rash's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevens lands a shot to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stevens.
Stevens lands a nice shot to the body.
Stevens works on Rash's body with a couple of short punches.
Rash looks gassed!
Stevens's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Stevens lands with a short shot to the head.
Rash misses with a punch to the body.
Stevens is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Stevens lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rash.
Stevens tries to work over Rash's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rash struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevens controls his hands.
Stevens lands a shot to the body.
A hook to the body from Stevens.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stevens misses with a punch to the body.
Stevens is struggling to control the position.
Rash blocks a body shot from Stevens.
Stevens lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stevens working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rash is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stevens misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rash is looking to control Stevens's arms but Stevens gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rash has his back to the cage.
A short right from Stevens.
Stevens makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stevens misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stevens is working Rash over against the cage.
Stevens tries to work over Rash's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevens lands a body shot.
Stevens lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rash backwards.
Stevens misses with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Stevens.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stevens tries to work over Rash's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevens pushes Rash back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stevens working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randal Stevens dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Good shot there by Stevens.
Stevens moves out of range as Rash strikes.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Stevens goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stevens presses Rash against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from Stevens.
Stevens stalls.
Stevens throws a head punch that misses.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rash's elbow.
Stevens can't find room to land a body shot as Rash controls the action.
Rash misses with a body punch.
Stevens struggles to land a body shot inside as Rash controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rash prevents a body shot from Stevens.
Randal Stevens has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rash looking to slow down the pace here.
Stevens tries a body shot but Rash blocks it.
Stevens leaning against his opponent.
Rash blocks a body shot from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stevens lands a hook that snaps the head of Rash backwards.
Stevens lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rash's elbow.
Stevens presses Rash against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stevens.
Stevens cracks Rash with a nice body shot.
Rash is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stevens fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stevens struggles to land a body shot inside as Rash controls his hands.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Rash struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevens controls his hands.
Rash is looking to control Stevens's arms but Stevens gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rash has his back to the cage.
Stevens digs a right hand into Rash's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rash's gas tank.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens is working Rash over against the cage.
Stevens lands a nice uppercut.
Stevens can't find room to land a body shot as Rash controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rash trying to control the position but instead, Stevens has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rash into the cage.
A short right from Stevens.
Stevens pushes Rash back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rash's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rash letting Stevens take a breather here.
Stevens is working Rash over against the cage.
A hook to the body from Stevens.
Stevens lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rash or not.
A short left from Stevens.
A short uppercut from Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens can't find room to land a body shot as Rash controls the action.
Stevens lands a body punch.
Stevens lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Stevens makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stevens's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rash prevents a body shot from Stevens.
Stevens throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rash's elbow.
Stevens tries to throw a body punch but Rash avoids it by throwing Stevens back against the cage.
Stevens tries a body shot but Rash blocks it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Stevens.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rash struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevens controls his hands.
A nice left hand lands by Stevens.
Stevens misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rash.
Stevens scores with a shoulder strike.
Stevens tries to throw a body punch but Rash avoids it by throwing Stevens back against the cage.
Stevens misses with some punches.
Rash prevents a body shot from Stevens.
Rash is looking to control Stevens's arms but Stevens gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rash has his back to the cage.
Rash struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevens controls his hands.
Rash blocks a body shot from Stevens.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Stevens cracks Rash with a nice body shot.
Stevens lands a hook that snaps the head of Rash backwards.
Stevens lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rash.
Stevens working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevens digs a right hand into Rash's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rash's gas tank.
A short body shot lands from Stevens as the two fighters clinch.
Rash's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stevens is working Rash over against the cage.
Stevens displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rash up against the cage.
Stevens works on Rash's body with a couple of short punches.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Stevens has Rash pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Stevens pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rash tumbling to the mat - Stevens dives into Rash's guard.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Rash keeps moving.
Stevens lands a couple of digs.
Stevens sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rash's guard.
Rash tries to roll over but Stevens keeps him under control.
Stevens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rash does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stevens lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throwing shots but Rash is blocking nicely.
Stevens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rash can do to turn this around?
Stevens not doing much here.
Stevens trying to control from half guard but Rash is working away.
Stevens uses his free foot to push down on Rash's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rash.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevens controlling the pace for now.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to control but Rash is having none of it.
Stevens cracks Rash with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Rash tries to lock up and control but Stevens gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rash's face.
Stevens lands with some strikes.
Matt Rash has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stevens landing strikes from the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Randal Stevens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stevens 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Randal Stevens!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Randal Stevens!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Randal Stevens!

Randal Stevens wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Randal Stevens thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.