PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bear Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyrkilla Tapettava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stevenson
vs
Tapettava

178 cm
24
168 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

188 cm
21
162 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Backyard Fighting
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Hellraiser FightGear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Bear Stevenson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nyrkilla Tapettava!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevenson throws a wild body kick that Tapettava sees coming a mile off.
Tapettava shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevenson sprawls well. Stevenson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tapettava gets slowly back to his feet.
Stevenson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevenson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tapettava.
Tapettava fails with the takedown
and Stevenson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tapettava looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevenson is fending him off so far but Tapettava persists. Nope, Stevenson circles away and we're back to standing.
Bear Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nyrkilla Tapettava.
Tapettava steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevenson.
Bear Stevenson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson cracks Tapettava with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Tapettava shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tapettava in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tapettava throws a strike but Stevenson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tapettava wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling the position.
Tapettava tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevenson is controlling him.
Stevenson is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bear Stevenson.
Tapettava slips under a jab from Stevenson.
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!
Tapettava closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stevenson circles away.
Stevenson misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson throws a series of punches but Tapettava avoids them all with ease.
Stevenson lands a nice shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Stevenson. Those never looked like landing.
Stevenson fakes the leg kick and cracks Tapettava in the body.
Stevenson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tapettava circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevenson misses with a head kick.
Stevenson throws out a loose jab but Tapettava uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've been told by Stevenson's head coaches at Hey Steve's Fight Shack that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Stevenson misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tapettava tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stevenson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tapettava somewhat.
Stevenson scores with a sloppy right hand. Tapettava should have avoided that one.
Stevenson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tapettava moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevenson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stevenson misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Stevenson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tapettava has his takedown stuffed
and Stevenson counters with a good, hard body kick but Tapettava shrugs it off.
Tapettava is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tapettava has a takedown stuffed.
Tapettava fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stevenson avoids it really well and circles away.
Bear Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nyrkilla Tapettava.
Tapettava moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Stevenson stuns Tapettava with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson throws out a loose jab but Tapettava uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stevenson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stevenson misses with a hook

so Tapettava counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tapettava stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stevenson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tapettava loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tapettava scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tapettava trying to control but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
Tapettava makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two 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!
Tapettava trying to control but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
Stevenson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tapettava.
My spies in The Jungle Elite MMA inform me that Tapettava has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tapettava accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tapettava tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevenson is retaining full guard.
Tapettava throws a big right hand that misses.
Tapettava trying to control but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
Tapettava throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nyrkilla Tapettava has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tapettava throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tapettava throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stevenson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tapettava pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stevenson is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stevenson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tapettava trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tapettava's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stevenson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tapettava throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava lands a couple of digs.
Tapettava landing some decent shots from guard.
Tapettava postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tapettava is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tapettava throwing strikes but missing.
Tapettava throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tapettava stands up over Stevenson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nyrkilla Tapettava showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stevenson dips to his left and cracks Tapettava with an uppercut!
Tapettava blocks the body kick.
Tapettava avoids the body shot from Stevenson.
Tapettava dives in and grabs Stevenson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stevenson pushes down on Tapettava's head and hops out.
Stevenson connects with a single shot there.
A big left from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson tests Tapettava's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A jab from Stevenson finds it's way through Tapettava's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tapettava moves away.
A slow jab from Stevenson misses its intended target.
Tapettava moves out of range of the body kick.
Stevenson sizes up Tapettava with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Stevenson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tapettava.
Stevenson's corner calls for a 1-2. Stevenson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tapettava ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tapettava shoots for a double leg takedown but Stevenson sprawls well. He's pushed Tapettava's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looks for the body kick but Tapettava saw that one coming.
Tapettava misses with a body shot
and Stevenson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tapettava keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stevenson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tapettava.
Tapettava uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevenson.
A big right from Stevenson misses.
Tapettava throws a lazy right hand but Stevenson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tapettava throws out the jab.
Tapettava misses with a straight right.
Bear Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tapettava will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bear Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nyrkilla Tapettava.
Stevenson misses with a looping left.
Stevenson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tapettava misses with a hook. Stevenson ducked under it nicely.
A punch combination from Stevenson misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Stevenson as Tapettava shoots in.
Stevenson thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevenson misses the shot to the body.
Tapettava shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevenson defends it nicely.
Nice body kick there by Stevenson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tapettava shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevenson defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Stevenson clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tapettava takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stevenson thuds his right hand into Tapettava's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tapettava avoids the head kick by Stevenson.
Stevenson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tapettava moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stevenson misses with an uppercut.
Donk. Stevenson catches Tapettava right on the button with a cross.
Bear Stevenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapettava avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tapettava throws a shot from downtown. Stevenson moves away and avoids it.
Tapettava goes for a double leg but Stevenson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stevenson continues to drive forward.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Stevenson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Stevenson for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Stevenson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tapettava backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson tries to work over Tapettava's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevenson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tapettava backwards.
Stevenson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tapettava is looking to control Stevenson's arms but Stevenson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tapettava has his back to the cage.
Stevenson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tapettava goes for a takedown in the clinch but Stevenson prevents it.

Stevenson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava looks to land a right hand but Stevenson moved out of range.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tapettava.
A jab from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tapettava fails to land the takedown.
Bear Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nyrkilla Tapettava.
Tapettava looks to land a left hand but Stevenson moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson lands a nice shot that snaps Tapettava's head back.
Stevenson lands with a right hand.
Stevenson lands a head shot.
A jab from Stevenson misses.
Tapettava shoots in for a double leg but Stevenson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stevenson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tapettava shoots for a takedown but Stevenson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Stevenson had his way with Nyrkilla Tapettava in that round.
That's time! Stevenson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Stevenson misses with a low kick as Tapettava jumps back.
Stevenson thuds a left hand into Tapettava's body.
Stevenson throws a hook but Tapettava avoids it easily.
Tapettava moves out of range of the body kick from Stevenson.
Bear Stevenson is winning the standup battle so far.
Stevenson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tapettava.
Stevenson slaps away a takedown attempt from Tapettava, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice uppercut there from Stevenson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stevenson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stevenson lands with a nice body punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tapettava is defended easily by Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tapettava avoids a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tapettava.
A punch combination from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stevenson connects with the punch.
Tapettava goes for a double leg but Stevenson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stevenson continues to drive forward.
Bear Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nyrkilla Tapettava.

Stevenson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stevenson throws a body kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
No joy there for Tapettava, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bear Stevenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tapettava uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tapettava uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stevenson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevenson. Tapettava does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tapettava moves out of range of the body kick.
Tapettava blocks a head kick by Stevenson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava shoots in but no luck this time.
Stevenson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tapettava sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stevenson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stevenson throws a body punch but Tapettava moves out of range.
Stevenson punishes Tapettava's body with a nice straight punch.
Tapettava misses with a body shot.
Nyrkilla Tapettava has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tapettava slips a jab and a cross from Stevenson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bear Stevenson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stevenson 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 49:46
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bear Stevenson!
Bear Stevenson retains his welterweight title!
Bear Stevenson really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Ultimate Fighting Fuel logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.