PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yoko Gushiken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axel Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gushiken
vs
Stevens

170 cm
23
135 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
160 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)
Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !
GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoko Gushiken!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Axel Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gushiken misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gushiken fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A clash of legs there as Stevens blocks the low kick.
Gushiken walks into a stiff left hand from Stevens.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Gushiken.
Some bone on bone action there as Gushiken checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Gushiken sees coming a mile off.
Stevens doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Stevens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gushiken.
Gushiken throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevens.
Gushiken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stevens gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gushiken throws a jab but it's blocked by Stevens.

Stevens throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gushiken was covering up waiting for the punch and Stevens finishes the takedown easily into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Stevens stops Gushiken from standing up.
Gushiken utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gushiken is looking to stand up but Stevens isn't so interested in that idea.
Stevens with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gushiken working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stevens.
Stevens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gushiken swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stevens throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gushiken works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stevens has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Stevens working the ground and pound but Gushiken is defending the strikes.
Stevens tries to move to mount but Gushiken blocks the move with his legs.
Stevens creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Gushiken sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The ground and pound from Stevens seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stevens working the ground and pound but Gushiken is defending the strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ground and pound from Stevens seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Gushiken manages to work his way to half guard, despite Stevens's best efforts.
Stevens passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gushiken!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is landing with some decent strikes but Gushiken is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stevens thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Stevens thowing shots but they're missing.
Stevens looking to ground and pound but Gushiken is blocking nicely.
Stevens lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Stevens looking to finish with strikes here!
Stevens throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stevens thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken tries to hold on but Stevens pushes him away.
Gushiken is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Stevens fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Stevens working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Gushiken is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Stevens lands a big elbow.
Poor strikes thrown by Stevens there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Stevens throws some wild stikes that Gushiken manages to avoid easily.
Stevens landing punches.
Stevens landing strikes, looking to finish!

Gushiken is rocked!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken is desperately trying to improve his position but Stevens has a good base and remains in mount.
Oh Gushiken is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stevens is landing with some decent strikes but Gushiken is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stevens postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Gushiken badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Stevens around the waist but Stevens pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Stevens is the winner by TKO! Stevens jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Axel Stevens!
Axel Stevens is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath and clearly excited Axel Stevens thanked GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 ! for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).