PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dusty Mears (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevenson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili Peppers. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stevenson
vs
Mears

175 cm
19
174 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

183 cm
19
181 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joseph Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dusty Mears!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mears bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stevenson's head backwards.
Mears clobbers Stevenson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mears is looking to clinch but Stevenson is avoiding it.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevenson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mears.
Stevenson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Stevenson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mears is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stevenson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Mears is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stevenson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mears really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stevenson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Stevenson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mears is just riding it out for now. Stevenson eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson is trying to control the action in half guard but Mears is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mears wants to get back to his feet.
Mears keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Stevenson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mears doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stevenson.
Mears keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stevenson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stevenson passes to full mount!
Stevenson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Stevenson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Mears has worked his arm free - good work by Mears!
Stevenson has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Mears!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mears slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Mears won't allow Stevenson to pass to mount.

Stevenson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mears is trying to stand back up but Stevenson is controlling him
Stevenson wants to free his trapped foot but Mears is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Stevenson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stevenson tries to pass to full mount but Mears defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.
Mears is looking to escape.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mears as he jumps to the side.
Dusty Mears seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevenson shoots in for a double leg but Mears sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mears throws out a leg kick but Stevenson moves out of range and Mears only half commits.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mears but Mears pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mears throws a leg kick which misses Stevenson's front leg but catches the back leg as Stevenson tries to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dusty Mears dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mears tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mears slips a jab and a cross from Stevenson.
Mears misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Mears drives through and clinches with Stevenson against the cage.
Mears prevents the takedown attempt.
Mears tries to land a knee to the head but Stevenson blocks with his arms.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mears just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mears tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mears lands a knee to the head.
Stevenson takes an elbow to the forehead.

Stevenson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Mears is defending against the submission attempts here by Stevenson.
Mears wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Stevenson is trying to work for a kimura but Mears is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mears wants to stand back up but Stevenson manages to pass into side control.
Stevenson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Mears takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Mears is looking for a sweep.

Stevenson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mears rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Stevenson's guard! Nice work there by Mears!
Mears must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stevenson wants to sweep but no luck.
Mears trying to move into half guard but instead Stevenson has managed to sweep!
Stevenson throwing strikes but missing.

Stevenson has gone for a leg lock! Mears slips out almost immediately though and dives into Stevenson's guard.
Mears stops Stevenson from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Mears stands and steps away. Stevenson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Stevenson throws a series of punches but Mears avoids them all with ease.
Mears throws a head kick that misses.
Mears lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Joseph Stevenson has been cut.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt - Mears sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mears lands with a nice body punch.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
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!
Mears scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looking to slow down the pace here.
Stevenson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mears smiles and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mears looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A head kick misses from Mears.
Mears throws a head kick but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Mears counter with a right hand.
Stevenson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mears counters with a big head kick but Stevenson shrugs it off.
Dusty Mears is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mears tries a head kick but it misses.

Mears gets a clinch.
Mears tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mears gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevenson.
Mears landing knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dusty Mears showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joseph Stevenson's cut.
That's time! Stevenson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Mears looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mears misses with a head kick.
Mears tries to clinch but Stevenson is having none of it.

Mears has closed the distance and engaged Stevenson in a clinch.
Stevenson looking for a takedown.
Mears misses with a knee to the head.
Mears pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevenson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Stevenson has Mears pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mears manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mears throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mears using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stevenson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mears comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Stevenson wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevenson wants a takedown.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mears.
Mears throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mears throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stevenson is trying to break free.
Mears trying to land knees to the body.
Stevenson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mears pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Stevenson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Mears can't fight it off and eventually Stevenson manages to take the fight to the floor. Mears looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stevenson looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stevenson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stevenson stops Mears from standing up.
Mears keeping moving, preventing Stevenson from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stevenson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Stevenson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mears manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Stevenson has Mears in his guard.
Stevenson wants to sweep but no luck.

Mears avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stevenson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is trying to control the position but Mears postures up.
Mears with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stevenson controls Mears momentarily but Mears frees himself.
Mears tries to stand but Stevenson is controlling from the bottom.

Stevenson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Mears has passed into half guard!
Stevenson wants to improve his position but Mears is controlling well.
Joseph Stevenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mears trying to mount his opponent but Stevenson defends it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stevenson shoots for a double leg takedown but Mears sprawls well. He's pushed Stevenson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevenson.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mears as he avoids it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mears throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A head kick misses from Mears.

Mears takes the fight into the clinch.
Mears tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dusty Mears comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mears winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dusty Mears!