PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rowan Cunningham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stevens
vs
Cunningham

183 cm
19
198 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

187 cm
19
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Stevens!
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, Rowan Cunningham!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cunningham uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Decent striking displayed by Stevens there.
Cunningham connects with a leg kick. Stevens looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Stevens swings for the body but Cunningham moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Stevens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stevens blocks a jab.
Stevens avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stevens throws a lazy right hand but Cunningham sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stevens fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cunningham lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stevens's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cunningham connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stevens scrambles back to his feet.
Cunningham swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens throws a nice looking combination but Cunningham bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cunningham displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stevens throws out the jab.
Cunningham takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cunningham misses with a wild body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cunningham misses with a body shot.
Stevens stalks Cunningham and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cunningham's face. Cunningham staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Rowan Cunningham has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cunningham lands a nice looking body shot.

Cunningham moves into the clinch successfully.
Cunningham can't find room to land a body shot as Stevens controls the action.
Stevens wants a takedown.
Stevens fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cunningham makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stevens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cunningham avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens is trying to pull guard but Cunningham turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Cunningham.
Cunningham struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevens controls his hands.
Cunningham lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stevens misses with a punch to the body.
Cunningham lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Stevens misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Stevens or not.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens gets through Cunningham's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Cunningham.
Stevens misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cunningham lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Stevens tries to circle away but Cunningham has him pinned against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Cunningham as the two fighters clinch.
Stevens misses with a punch to the body.
Cunningham lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Cunningham on the inside.

Stevens jumps guard and drags Cunningham to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Stevens looking to control.
Cunningham controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cunningham takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.
Cunningham bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stevens's head.

It looks like Mike Stevens has been cut.
Cunningham throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
No luck for Stevens with that takedown attempt.
Cunningham fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stevens looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Donk. Cunningham catches Stevens right on the button with a cross.
Stevens throws a lazy right hand but Cunningham sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cunningham lands with a shot to the body.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Cunningham jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rowan Cunningham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cunningham defending well as Stevens loads up on a big left hand.
A lazy left from Cunningham finds it's target.
Cunningham lands a nice hook to Stevens's body. Stevens takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cunningham scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stevens in his tracks.
Cunningham cracks Stevens with an open hand slap.
Jab by Cunningham.
Stevens throws a lazy right hand but Cunningham sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A lazy left from Stevens finds it's target.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cunningham lands with a nice body punch.
Cunningham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
Cunningham is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Stevens had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Cunningham scores with a nice right hand.
Cunningham tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevens was well out of range. Poor timing from Cunningham.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rowan Cunningham dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Cunningham.
Cunningham defending well as Stevens loads up on a big left hand.
Nice cross by Cunningham.
Cunningham thumps Stevens with a low kick.
Cunningham fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stevens looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cunningham punishes Stevens's body with a nice straight punch.
Cunningham lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cunningham on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stevens misses with an uppercut. Cunningham saw that one coming.
Cunningham misses with a straight left.
Nice body punch from Cunningham.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cunningham swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cunningham takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.
Cunningham throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stevens looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Stevens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cunningham circles away quickly and effectively.
Cunningham works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Cunningham with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cunningham smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Stevens doesn't manage to clinch there - Cunningham circles away.
Cunningham takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stevens looks to score with a jab to the body but Cunningham is just out of range.
Rowan Cunningham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stevens takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cunningham connects with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stevens swinging wildly here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevens attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Cunningham darts in and clinches Stevens up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cunningham smiles and moves away.
Stevens looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cunningham.
Stevens moves out of range as Cunningham strikes.
Stevens misses with a low kick.

Cunningham closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cunningham.
Cunningham keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stevens's efforts to push away.
Stevens misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cunningham gets underhooks to prevent Stevens's takedown attempt.
Cunningham scores with a shot to the side of Stevens's head.
A right hook to the body lands for Cunningham.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham works on Stevens's body with a couple of short punches.
Cunningham makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cunningham working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cunningham.
A bit of stalling here from Cunningham.
Cunningham lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Stevens misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cunningham scores with a shot to the side of Stevens's head.
Cunningham throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stevenss head.
Cunningham lands a nice uppercut.
Stevens is trying to pull guard but Cunningham turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cunningham lands a body shot in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cunningham throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Cunningham works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens prevents a body shot from Cunningham.
Still in the clinch, Cunningham scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stevens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cunningham's elbow.
Cunningham pushes Stevens back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cunningham lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Cunningham - that landed with a thud.
Stevens tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cunningham smiles and moves away.
Cunningham scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cunningham throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cunningham thuds a left hand into Stevens's body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cunningham scoring well with a low kick there.
Stevens takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Stevens takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rowan Cunningham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cunningham lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stevens.
Jab, jab by Cunningham - just one landing.
Stevens stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cunningham.
Nice straight punches there by Cunningham. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cunningham.
Cunningham misses the shot to the body.
Stevens misses with a hook. Cunningham ducked under it nicely.
Stevens missing with a left hand there. Cunningham was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stevens walks into a straight right hand from Cunningham.
Cunningham lands with a hook. Stevens tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Mike Stevens's cut is getting worse.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Cunningham clinches with his opponent.
Cunningham lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cunningham lands a nice uppercut.
Stevens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cunningham gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Rowan Cunningham seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cunningham misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Cunningham.
Stevens looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Cunningham manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stevens fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens tries to break the clinch but Cunningham is controlling the position.
Stevens takes a shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cunningham creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cunningham pushes Stevens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cunningham is working Stevens over against the cage.
Stevens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cunningham gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cunningham working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cunningham lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cunningham digs a right hand into Stevens's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Stevens's gas tank.
Cunningham lands an uppercut.
Cunningham lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Cunningham lands with a right to the head.
Cunningham lands a shot to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Stevens fails to land.
Cunningham lands with a short shot to the head.
Cunningham works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Cunningham lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Cunningham is working Stevens over against the cage.
Cunningham scores with a shoulder strike.
Cunningham scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cunningham prevents the takedown attempt.
Cunningham scores with a hook to the body.
A short body shot lands from Cunningham as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Cunningham.
Cunningham working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cunningham is leaning against Stevens and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Cunningham working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Cunningham.
Cunningham lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Cunningham forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cunningham is working Stevens over against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Cunningham.
Cunningham lands a shoulder strike.
Cunningham lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens wants a takedown.
A short right from Cunningham on the inside.
A short right from Cunningham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cunningham is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cunningham throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stevenss head.
Cunningham lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A shot in the inside from Cunningham.
Cunningham stalling the fight.
Cunningham lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Stevens is rocked!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cunningham.
Oh Stevens is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cunningham gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevens.
Stevens seems to have got his legs back now.
Nice body punch from Cunningham.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A body shot lands from Cunningham.
Cunningham works on Stevens's body with a couple of short punches.
Cunningham digs a right hand underneath Stevens's ribcage. Stevens let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mike Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cunningham pushes Stevens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rowan Cunningham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cunningham winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 26:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rowan Cunningham!
An out of breath and clearly excited Rowan Cunningham thanked Scotia Wear for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).