PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jim Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ted Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Stephenson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Ennio Morricone. Jim Stephenson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stephenson
vs
Smith

174 cm
24
159 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
21
160 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jim Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ted Smith!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Stephenson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Smith gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Smith is looking for a kimura here.
Smith controlling the action here.
Smith prevents Stephenson from improving his position.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stephenson has managed to free his arm - good work.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Stephenson is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the pace.

Smith seems to be looking for submissions.
Stephenson won't allow Smith to pass to mount.

Smith stands up out of the half guard.

Smith throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stephenson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Smith is in Stephenson's guard.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Smith working some strikes from top position.
Stephenson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Stephenson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Smith has momentary wrist control but Stephenson slips an elbow through the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stephenson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Stephenson is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stephenson's guard.

Stephenson is working an open guard so Smith takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Stephenson is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith has Stephenson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stephenson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short right from Stephenson on the inside.
Smith presses Stephenson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stephenson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jim Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ted Smith.

Stephenson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Smith can't fight it off and eventually Stephenson manages to take the fight to the floor. Smith looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stephenson trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Stephenson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Smith is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stephenson trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jim Stephenson.

Stephenson moves into the clinch successfully.

Stephenson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Stephenson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stephenson has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ted Smith dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stephenson gets a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Smith - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Smith is looking for a takedown.

Stephenson pulls guard effortlessly.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stephenson trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is in close to Stephenson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith is pushing down on Stephenson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stephenson is fighting to maintain full guard but Smith has managed to sneak the leg through.
Stephenson tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith not doing much here.

Stephenson is defending against the submission attempts here by Smith.
Smith is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith passes the guard and advances to mount!
Stephenson is looking to get to half guard.

Smith is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Stephenson can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Smith dominating with strikes here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking to secure an arm triangle but Stephenson defends it well.
Stephenson looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Stephenson won't enjoy being in this position. Smith looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Stephenson is tapping - it's over boys! Smith picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ted Smith!
A relieved looking Ted Smith thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.