PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Salvatore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Stevens
vs
Salvatore

176 cm
24
169 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

175 cm
30
165 lbs
20 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

[EVO] Koffin Inc. *Laundry Available*
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Salvatore!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salvatore fails to land with a series of punches.
Stevens on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Stevens tries a low kick but Salvatore avoids it.
Stevens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Salvatore has Stevens up against the cage in a clinch.
Salvatore lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Salvatore misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stevens lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stevens with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salvatore can't find room to land a body shot as Stevens controls the action.

Stevens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Good work by Salvatore as he checks the leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Salvatore.
Stevens jabs Salvatore right on the nose. Salvatore blinks but takes it well.
Salvatore cracks the inside of Stevens's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Salvatore throws an overhand right that lands on Stevens's shoulder, as Stevens tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Salvatore does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Salvatore lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stevens has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stevens and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Stevens instigates a clinch.
Stevens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salvatore gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Salvatore swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Salvatore working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stevens swings wildly with an uppercut but Salvatore uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stevens takes a shot to the head.
Stevens is trying to push Salvatore away but Salvatore has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Stevens works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Stevens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens is looking to work some ground and pound but Salvatore has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to control but Salvatore is working from the bottom.
Stevens won't allow Salvatore to sweep him here.
Stevens's corner is telling him to maintain position.

We're going to have a standup here because Dean Stevens wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Salvatore thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.
Salvatore throws out a powerful jab.
Stevens connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salvatore was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevens.
Salvatore misses with a series of wild punches.
Stevens blocks the body kick.
Salvatore scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stevens takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Salvatore lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Stevens tries to land a front kick but Salvatore steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Salvatore misses with a kick to the body.
Stevens misses with a head kick.
Salvatore misses with a hook to the body
and Stevens counters with a nice kick to the body.
Salvatore lands with a slapping head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Salvatore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevens was well out of range. Poor timing from Salvatore.
Salvatore bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stevens's head.
Stevens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Salvatore just misses with a punch to the body.
Salvatore throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Salvatore.
Salvatore turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Salvatore. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Salvatore.
Stevens lands a head kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Salvatore scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Salvatore misses with a body shot
and Stevens counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dean Stevens will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stevens lands with a slapping head kick.
A slow jab from Stevens misses its intended target.

Stevens is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Salvatore's half guard.
Salvatore is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stevens scores with a couple of nice shots.
Stevens looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Salvatore with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Salvatore 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.
Stevens throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stevens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Salvatore does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stevens throws a strike but Salvatore avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Salvatore is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens cracks Salvatore with a solid left hand.
Stevens is pushing down on Salvatore's leg trying to pass to half guard. Salvatore is fighting to maintain full guard but Stevens has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stevens throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stevens looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Salvatore is looking to improve his position.
Stevens wants to free his trapped foot but Salvatore is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands strikes from half guard.
Stevens trying to control the pace.
Stevens thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stevens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Salvatore does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stevens thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Salvatore manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Salvatore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Salvatore wants to sweep here but Stevens controlling him for the moment.
Stevens trying to control but Salvatore is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dean Stevens just wasn't active enough.
Salvatore attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stevens slips a straight right by Salvatore.
Stevens misses with a low kick.
Stevens lands a slapping body shot.
Stevens throws a right and a left that Salvatore avoids nicely.
Stevens tries to work over Salvatore's front leg with a kick but Salvatore checks it.
Salvatore takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevens pivots, looking for a leg kick but Salvatore is out of range and Stevens settles back down.
Stevens moves out of range of the body kick from Salvatore.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens dominated that second round.
That's time! Stevens's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Salvatore blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Stevens lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Salvatore blocks the body kick.
Stevens looks to score with a jab to the body but Salvatore is just out of range.
Salvatore connects with a body shot that sends Stevens's belly button to the back.
Salvatore throws a body punch but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Salvatore defending well as Stevens loads up on a big left hand.
Salvatore swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stevens takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Dean Stevens is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvatore throws a leg kick but Stevens sees it coming and moves out of range.
Salvatore throws a jab but it's blocked by Stevens.
Salvatore is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Stevens rather than just go for the knockout.
Stevens misses with a wild combination.
Stevens lands a nice hook to Salvatore's body. Salvatore takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Stevens shoots in and drives through. Salvatore sprawls well.
Salvatore fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stevens looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stevens finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Salvatore thows a leg kick but Stevens checks it
and Stevens counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Salvatore takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Stevens throws a lazy head kick
enabling Salvatore to counter with a crisp jab.
Stevens looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens fakes the leg kick and cracks Salvatore in the body.
Salvatore takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.
Salvatore just misses with a punch to the body.
Stevens showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Salvatore.
Stevens digs a good body shot into Salvatore's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stevens shoots in and bounces Salvatore off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Dean Stevens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stevens slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvatore keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
Stevens's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Dean Stevens has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Salvatore misses with a body kick.
Salvatore misses with a leg kick.
Stevens goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevens pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stevens throws a body kick that misses.
Stevens has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Salvatore.
Stevens swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Salvatore makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Salvatore scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salvatore has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Salvatore.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stevens throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Salvatore cracks Stevens with a good jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Salvatore is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stevens takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stevens lands a nice leg kick that just misses Salvatore's sensitive parts.
Salvatore takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Stevens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stevens misses with a kick to the body.
Stevens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good shot there by Salvatore.
Salvatore checks a low kick from Stevens.
Nice defenses there by Salvatore.
Stevens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Salvatore manages to avoid it.
Stevens throws a right hand that Salvatore ducks under and follows up with a left that Salvatore also avoids with ease.
Dean Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens misses with a low kick.
Salvatore attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Stevens looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stevens looks to score with a jab to the body but Salvatore is just out of range.
Salvatore avoids the body shot from Stevens.
Salvatore defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stevens.
Salvatore throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Salvatore thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Salvatore's hands.
Stevens staying out of range there.
Nice body punch from Salvatore.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Salvatore manages to avoid it.
Stevens looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Salvatore moves out of range of the body kick.
Salvatore just misses with a punch to the body.
Salvatore lands with a nice body punch.
Salvatore lands a leg kick that knocks Stevens off balance momentarily.
Salvatore fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
An inside leg kick from Stevens misses.
A good leg kick by Stevens.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens throws out a leg kick but Salvatore moves out of range and Stevens only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvatore connects with a single shot there.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Salvatore sees coming a mile off.
Salvatore looks to land a combination. Stevens sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Stevens lands a nice looking kick to the body. Salvatore takes a step back to recover.
Stevens moves away from the strike by Salvatore.
Stevens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Salvatore.
A telegraphed right hand from Salvatore misses the target.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.

Salvatore gets caught flat footed, as Stevens shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Salvatore keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens advances position into side control!
Stevens cracks Salvatore with a big elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stevens trying to control the position but Salvatore is working away.
Stevens taking a breather here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salvatore takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens had his way with Nick Salvatore in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Stevens misses with a kick to the body.
Stevens takes a swing at Salvatore's ribcage but misses.
Salvatore fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stevens is looking to land body kicks.
Stevens pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Salvatore back to the cage. Stevens follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Salvatore misses the shot to the body.
Stevens misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Salvatore makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Salvatore takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Salvatore. Stevens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Salvatore just misses with a punch to the body.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
Stevens misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvatore misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Salvatore does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stevens throws a sloppy head kick
and Salvatore counters with a stiff right hand.
Salvatore scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Salvatore stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stevens.
Salvatore changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Salvatore missing with a left hand there. Stevens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stevens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A decent looking cross lands there for Salvatore.

Stevens closes the distance and pushes Salvatore back into the cage.
Salvatore misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Salvatore.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Stevens goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stevens with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Salvatore tries to throw a body punch but Stevens avoids it by throwing Salvatore back against the cage.
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!
Stevens blocking some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stalling in the clinch from Salvatore.
Stevens using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salvatore has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Salvatore tries to work over Stevens's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Salvatore won't allow it.
Stevens prevents a body shot from Salvatore.
Salvatore struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevens controls his hands.
Stevens managing to block the knees to the body from Salvatore.
Stevens misses with a punch on the inside.
Dean Stevens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens prevents Salvatore from breaking the clinch.
Salvatore pressing his opponent against the cage.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salvatore checks the leg kick.
Nick Salvatore has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stevens has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stevens there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stevens blocks the body kick.

Stevens decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stevens is controlling the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Dean Stevens wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Salvatore throws an off balance right hand
and Stevens counters with a nice uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens lands a leg kick that knocks Salvatore off balance momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens closes the distance looking to clinch
and Salvatore counters with a one-two to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nick Salvatore.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 50:46
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Stevens!
Dean Stevens is the new lightweight champion!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Dean Stevens made sure he mentioned [EVO] Koffin Inc. *Laundry Available*, along with how happy he was to win his fight.