PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tiger Mask (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mask kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Wait, what? OH MY GOD, Tiger has joined the Dark Side!!. 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.

Mask
vs
Stevens

170 cm
35
176 lbs
27 - 14 - 0

176 cm
31
175 lbs
30 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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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 27 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tiger Mask!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Mask throws a body punch but Stevens moves out of range.
Mask misses with a body shot.
Mask checks the leg kick.
Stevens misses with a body shot.
Stevens defending well as Mask loads up on a big left hand.
Stevens misses with a looping right.
Stevens is looking to land body kicks.
Stevens closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mask lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mask. Stevens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mask takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stevens has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Mask misses with a kick to the body
and Stevens counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
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!
Mask throws a push kick but Stevens slaps the foot to one side.
Mask throws the kick towards the body but Stevens avoids it.

Stevens forces Mask back against the cage and clinches.
Mask prevents a body shot from Stevens.
Mask is trying to push Stevens away but Stevens has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stevens lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens has had enough of the clinch but Mask keeps him there for the moment.
Mask wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mask lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mask has Stevens pressed against the cage, preventing Stevens from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stevens prevents a body shot from Mask.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Mask.
Mask doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Stevens has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mask is trying to keep an underhook but Stevens manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Mask tries to get to full guard but Stevens has control of the leg.
Mask moves into full guard.
Stevens not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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!
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Mask is keeping the position.
Stevens postures up in Mask's guard and throws a big left but Mask blocks it.
Mask is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.

Mask has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Stevens is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Mask.
Stevens happy to just control the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mask is looking for a sweep.
Mask regains half guard.
Mask is pressing down on Stevens's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mask looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevens is one step ahead there.
Stevens slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Mask is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Mask is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Stevens trying to control but Mask is working from the bottom.

Mask 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mask looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevens is one step ahead there.
Stevens trying to control but Mask is working from the bottom.
Stevens is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dean Stevens hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Mask walks into a stiff left hand from Stevens.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mask swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mask's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens walks into a left hand.
Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Mask.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dean Stevens will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stevens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stevens wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Mask.
Stevens scores with a body shot.
Mask misses with a body kick.
Stevens connects with the punch.
Mask throws a body punch but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens slips a straight right by Mask.
Mask throws out a powerful jab.
Stevens is looking to slow Mask down with leg kicks.
Mask misses with a takedown
and Stevens counters with a right hand to the body.
Mask checks the leg kick nicely there.
Stevens throws a leg kick which misses Mask's front leg but catches the back leg as Mask tries to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mask misses with a head kick.
Mask looks to land a left hand but Stevens moved out of range nicely.
Mask misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mask throws a head kick that misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a body shot.
Mask bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stevens's head backwards.
Stevens throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mask's head.
Stevens lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mask at a distance.
Stevens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mask.
Mask tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevens was well out of range. Poor timing from Mask.
Mask connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stevens momentarily.
Stevens lands a head shot.
Stevens slips under a jab.
Mask closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mask blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Mask uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Stevens misses with a body kick.
A shot to the liver by Mask. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mask takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mask throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stevens throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mask's head.
Mask slips under a jab from Stevens.
Mask is looking to slow Stevens down with leg kicks.
Mask cracks Stevens with an open hand slap.
Stevens looks for the body kick but Mask saw that one coming.
Mask attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mask displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stevens throws out the jab.
Stevens throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mask throws a hook but Stevens avoids it easily.
Mask throws a leg kick

and Stevens counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stevens.
Stevens works over Mask with some ground and pound from guard.
Stevens landing some decent shots from guard.
Mask lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stevens!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mask dominating with strikes here.
Stevens is working to get back to half guard.
Mask lands a couple of good shots and Stevens has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Stevens wants to escape the position.
Mask lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Stevens is taking damage to the body and head.
Stevens manages to reverse the position and now he's in Mask's guard. Nice work there by Stevens.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens forces his way into half guard.
Stevens lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stevens not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Mask actively working from the bottom here.
Stevens content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mask.
Mask connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stevens scores with a punch to the head.
Stevens slips under a jab from Mask.
Nice defenses there by Mask.
Mask throws a head kick that misses.
Nice body punch from Stevens.
Stevens throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stevens looks to score with a jab to the body but Mask is just out of range.
Good work by Mask as he checks the leg kick.
Stevens misses the shot to the body.
Mask throws a leg kick but Stevens sees it coming and moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Stevens 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens misses the shot to the body.
Mask throws a shot from downtown. Stevens moves away and avoids it.
Stevens misses with a low kick.
Stevens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mask.
Mask slips under a jab from Stevens.
Stevens throws the left hand but Mask avoids the punch easily.
Stevens misses the shot to the body.
Stevens takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A shot to the body from Stevens misses

and Mask counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Mask seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stevens does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dean Stevens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stevens tries to get to full guard but Mask has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mask trying to control from Stevens's half guard. Stevens has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Mask trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mask's guard.

Mask escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stevens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stevens forces his way into half guard.
Mask gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mask looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stevens postures up.

Mask working for submissions but it's allowed Stevens to get to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Well, if Stevens is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mask is looking for a sweep. Stevens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stevens trying to control the action but Mask is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mask works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stevens is pushing down on Mask's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mask is fighting to maintain full guard but Stevens has managed to sneak the leg through.
Stevens winds up and cracks Mask with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nice strikes from Stevens there.
Stevens perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Stevens looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mask with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Mask looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens is taking a breather. Mask 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Dean Stevens just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mask throws a leg kick but Stevens sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Mask feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stevens's calf.
Mask throws a solid leg kick but Stevens takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mask.
Stevens keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Mask slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stevens thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Stevens checks a low kick from Mask.
Mask looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stevens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mask.
Mask looks to land a right hand but Stevens moved out of range.
Stevens slips a jab from Mask.
Mask throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stevens misses with the body kick

and Mask counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Stevens lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mask breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stevens lands a jab to the head.
Dean Stevens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Mask sees coming a mile off.
Stevens misses with a hook. Mask ducked under it nicely.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mask throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Mask shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mask showed some decent athleticism there.
Mask thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stevens's head.
Stevens is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mask is looking to advance position but Stevens won't allow it.
Mask wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stevens keeps working.
Stevens wants to get back to full guard.
Stevens trying to hold on to Mask's head to control him but Mask postures up.
Stevens tries to roll over but Mask keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mask throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stevens is looking to improve his position.

Stevens actively working from the bottom here.

Mask is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stevens has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stevens is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mask's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mask's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to control momentarily.
I really don't envy Mask right now.
Stevens has good solid back control here.
Mask is in bad spot here.
Stevens landing with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mask is in bad spot here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Tiger Mask will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mask's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mask shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stevens eats them both and turns towards Mask to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Mask throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Stevens moves out of range of the body kick from Mask.
Mask misses with a lunging right hand
and Stevens counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Stevens slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A head kick misses from Mask.
Mask scores with a decent looking hook.
Mask fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Stevens on the side of the head.
Stevens is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mask rather than just go for the knockout.
Stevens cracks a nice hook into Mask's ribs.
Mask throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stevens is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mask throws a big shot that misses.
Mask throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mask throws a looping overhand right but Stevens ducks down to avoid it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens looks to score with a jab to the body but Mask is just out of range.
Mask throws a lazy uppercut
and Stevens counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens throws a sloppy body shot

and Mask counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Mask breaks from the clinch.
Stevens ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mask uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Mask takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stevens fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mask on the side of the head.
Mask takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stevens buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mask misses with a straight right.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Mask sees coming a mile off.
A jab from Mask misses.
Mask uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Stevens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stevens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mask lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mask looks for the body kick but Stevens saw that one coming.
Mask tries to land a front kick but Stevens steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mask tries to land a leg kick but Stevens saw it coming and moves away.
Mask buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Stevens.
Stevens misses with a body shot.
Mask misses the shot to the body.
Mask takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.
Stevens misses the shot to the body.
Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Mask.
Stevens lands a head kick!
Mask on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dean Stevens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mask throws a shot from downtown. Stevens moves away and avoids it.
Tiger Mask has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mask avoids the head kick by Stevens.
Jab by Mask.
Stevens connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mask fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stevens scores with a jab.
Mask misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Mask as Stevens shoots in.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Mask sees coming a mile off.
Stevens lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stevens throws a head kick but Mask moves out of range.
Mask moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stevens tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mask throws a shot to the body.
Stevens takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.
Stevens checks a low kick from Mask.
Mask lands a glancing blow to the side of Stevens's head.
Mask takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.
Mask on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Mask misses with a looping right.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mask misses the shot to the body.
Mask doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mask tries to land a leg kick but Stevens saw it coming and moves away.
Stevens comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tiger Mask.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 47:48
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Stevens! Dean Stevens retains his welterweight title!
Post fight, Dean Stevens stared into the camera and said 'Dean Stevens couldn't hold back the tears as he talked about how much it meant to him to be the last ever LFNC Welterweight Champion after spending his whole career here. Thanks Joe.'.