PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francois Permitis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stevens
vs
Permitis

183 cm
19
198 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite 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 - 2 - 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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Francois Permitis!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Permitis looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Permitis trying to control from half guard but Stevens is working away.
Stevens is trying to control but can't.

Permitis is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Stevens still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Stevens has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Stevens wants to stand but Permitis has his arm trapped.
You can see the frustration on Permitis's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Permitis gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevens is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stevens tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Permitis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Permitis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Stevens wants to stand but Permitis is controlling his posture from full guard.

Permitis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stevens defends well.

Permitis has his foot on Stevens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stevens works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Permitis's head.
Stevens is looking to stand up but Permitis won't let him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Permitis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stevens doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stevens manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Permitis is keeping the position.

Permitis has his foot on Stevens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stevens works his way back into a safe position though.

Permitis looking for subs off his back but Stevens has passed one foot through into half guard.
Permitis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Permitis is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stevens gets to his feet - Permitis follows without any prompting.
Stevens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Permitis circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevens tries to bum rush Permitis with a series of wild strikes but Permitis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Permitis on the wrong end of a nice jab.

It looks like Francois Permitis has been cut.
Stevens thuds a left hand into Permitis's body.
Stevens moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Permitis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Permitis looks gassed!
Stevens displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Permitis.
Permitis needs to keep his hands up - Stevens had a free shot at his head there.
Mike Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevens goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Permitis shoots in for a takedown but Stevens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mike Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francois Permitis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Permitis takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stevens scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Permitis looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stevens lands with a shot to the body.
Stevens lands an overhand right.
Permitis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Permitis takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Permitis takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Stevens misses with a double jab.
Stevens attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stevens lands a nice shot to the body.
Permitis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stevens tries to avoid it but Permitis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stevens to the ground. Stevens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stevens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stevens connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stevens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Permitis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stevens throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Permitis's waist but Permitis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stevens off to one side.
Permitis shoots in for a takedown but Stevens shows good takedown defense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Stevens dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francois Permitis's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stevens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stevens moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Permitis takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Permitis closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Stevens trying to control from the bottom.
Stevens wants to improve his position but Permitis is controlling well.

Permitis is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Stevens knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Permitis on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stevens is defending against the submission attempts here by Permitis.
Permitis is trying to control the action in half guard but Stevens is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Permitis is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Permitis working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Stevens trying to control here.
Permitis is taking a breather. Stevens says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Permitis is thwarting Stevens's attempts to control the position.

Permitis is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stevens has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Permitis throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Stevens to regain full guard.
Stevens is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Permitis wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
Stevens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Permitis sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stevens's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Permitis is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stevens slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Permitis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stevens is keeping the position for now.
Francois Permitis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Permitis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Permitis wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.

Permitis has gone for a leg lock! Stevens slips out almost immediately though and dives into Permitis's guard.
Stevens tries to free his leg and advance position but Permitis is retaining full guard.
Stevens wants to get up but he can't break Permitis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Permitis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Permitis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Permitis has his foot on Stevens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stevens works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francois Permitis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Francois Permitis's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Permitis shoots and misses
and Stevens counters with a left and a right that stings Permitis.
Permitis swats away the attempt to clinch by Stevens.
Stevens lands a two punch combo.

That has opened up Francois Permitis's cut even more.
A left and a right from Stevens both land. Nice combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Permitis throws a head kick but Stevens moves out of range.
Permitis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stevens but Stevens pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stevens 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.

The cut above Francois Permitis's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Permitis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stevens.
Permitis takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Stevens paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Permitis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevens sprawls well. Stevens wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Permitis gets slowly back to his feet.
Mike Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francois Permitis.
Permitis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stevens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Permitis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mike Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens throws a leg kick that misses.
Stevens scores with a shot to the body.
Stevens is looking to clinch but Permitis is avoiding it.

Stevens clinches.
Stevens working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Francois Permitis's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Stevens is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Permitis prevents the takedown attempt.

Permitis has clasped his hands together around Stevens's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Permitis goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Stevens rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Permitis's guard! Nice work there by Stevens!
Stevens wants to get up but he can't break Permitis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Permitis keeps moving.
Permitis throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Permitis trying to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens wants to get up but he can't break Permitis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Permitis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stevens defends well.
Permitis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Permitis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stevens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stevens is looking to work some ground and pound but Permitis has wrist control.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Permitis keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Permitis is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Stevens stands up and waves to Permitis to follow him.
Stevens lunges at Permitis with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Permitis's hand.
Stevens moves in looking to clinch but Permitis pushes him off.
Permitis shoots in for a takedown but Stevens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Stevens clinches up against the cage.
A short left from Stevens.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Francois Permitis's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Mike Stevens!
Mike Stevens seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.