PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Stevens
vs
Soderberg

176 cm
32
175 lbs
32 - 10 - 0

179 cm
30
186 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Reaper Combatwear

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 32 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Soderberg!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soderberg misses the body punch
and Stevens counters with a straight right hand.
Soderberg throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stevens walks into a stiff left hand from Soderberg.
Stevens throws a big shot that misses.
Soderberg lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Soderberg digs a good hook to Stevens's body.
Soderberg chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stevens can pounce on him.
Soderberg blocks the body kick.
Stevens misses with a low kick.
Stevens throws a head kick but Soderberg moves out of range.
Stevens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soderberg manages to avoid it.
Nice uppercut lands for Soderberg. That snapped Stevens's head back.
Soderberg avoids the body shot from Stevens.
Soderberg swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Soderberg throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Soderberg tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevens was well out of range. Poor timing from Soderberg.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Soderberg jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Soderberg throws a big shot that misses.
We've been informed that Soderberg has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Soderberg lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Stevens takes one to the chin there.
Stevens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stevens dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Soderberg. That did some damage!
Soderberg swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stevens.
Soderberg comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses.
Stevens with a hook.
Soderberg lands with an overhand left.
Soderberg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stevens doesn't seem bothered though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Soderberg moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Soderberg dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens connects with a good right hand that stumbles Soderberg. Soderberg circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Soderberg misses the shot to the body.
Stevens takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Soderberg does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Soderberg.
Stevens moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Soderberg connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stevens momentarily.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Soderberg.
Nice body kick from Stevens.
Soderberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Soderberg is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Stevens had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

Stevens drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stevens controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soderberg is looking for a triangle but Stevens pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Stevens with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stevens is stalling in the full guard.
We've been hearing that Stevens has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Soderberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dean Stevens just wasn't active enough.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevens digs a good body shot into Soderberg's ribs.
Soderberg punishes Stevens's body with a nice straight punch.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Soderberg getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Soderberg throws an off balance right hand

and Stevens counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stevens wants to control from the top but Soderberg keeps moving.
Stevens's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Soderberg takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.
Soderberg lands a head shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Soderberg uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Stevens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Soderberg.
A big left from Stevens misses.
Soderberg shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevens defends it nicely.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soderberg cracks a nice hook into Stevens's ribs.
Soderberg jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Soderberg swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Soderberg tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevens was well out of range. Poor timing from Soderberg.
Soderberg swings away with a body shot that misses
and Stevens makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Soderberg connects with a jab.
Stevens looks to score with a jab to the body but Soderberg is just out of range.
Rufus Soderberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stevens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Soderberg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Soderberg uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
Soderberg cracks Stevens with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Stevens misses with a leg kick.
Soderberg swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens thows a body shot but no joy.
Donk. Soderberg catches Stevens right on the button with a cross.
Stevens takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stevens throws a hook but Soderberg avoids it easily.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses.
Stevens on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice body kick from Stevens.
A head kick misses from Stevens.
Soderberg checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Soderberg misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soderberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stevens moves away.
Soderberg swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stevens.
Nice jab there from Soderberg.
Stevens bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Soderberg closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Soderberg wants to take a breather but Stevens is having none of it.
Stevens is looking to improve his position.
Stevens trying to control but Soderberg postures up.
Soderberg trying to control from Stevens's half guard. Stevens has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg stopping the sweep attempt from Stevens.
Soderberg throwing strikes but missing.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Soderberg postures up in Stevens's guard and throws a big left but Stevens blocks it.
Dean Stevens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Soderberg controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Soderberg loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Soderberg tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soderberg throwing strikes from guard but Stevens blocks nicely.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Soderberg from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Soderberg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Stevens throws a wild body kick that Soderberg sees coming a mile off.
Stevens throws a shot from downtown. Soderberg moves away and avoids it.
Stevens bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Stevens swings for the body but Soderberg moves out of range.
Stevens pivots, looking for a leg kick but Soderberg is out of range and Stevens settles back down.
Soderberg throws a jab when Stevens was well out of range.
Stevens takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stevens misses with a body shot.
Soderberg scores with a decent looking hook.

Soderberg shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Soderberg from controlling successfully.
Soderberg might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Stevens haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rufus Soderberg wasn't active enough on the ground.
No joy there for Soderberg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Soderberg uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stevens.
Soderberg throws a shot to the body.
Soderberg takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Stevens is looking to land body kicks.
Stevens scores with a hook to the body. Soderberg takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws a hook to the side of Soderberg's head but Soderberg sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stevens lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Soderberg at a distance.
Soderberg looks to score with a jab to the body but Stevens is just out of range.
Soderberg looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevens is fending him off so far but Soderberg persists. Nope, Stevens circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice body punch from Soderberg.
Stevens thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Soderberg if he has to take too many more of those.
Soderberg takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stevens takes a swing at Soderberg's ribcage but misses.
Stevens takes a swing at Soderberg's ribcage but misses.
Stevens misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stevens is looking to wear down Soderberg with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A head kick misses from Stevens.
Stevens takes a swing at Soderberg's ribcage but misses.
Soderberg has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Stevens.
Soderberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Soderberg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Soderberg.
Soderberg avoids the body shot from Stevens.
Soderberg swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens digs a good hook to Soderberg's body.
Soderberg rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stevens makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Stevens fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Soderberg checks it well.
Stevens takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stevens uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Soderberg has time to react.
Stevens digs a good hook to Soderberg's body.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Soderberg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stevens throws the left hand but Soderberg avoids the punch easily.
Stevens punishes Soderberg's body with a nice straight punch.
Stevens takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg checks a leg kick.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Soderberg swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Soderberg uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Soderberg takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stevens jabs Soderberg right on the nose. Soderberg blinks but takes it well.
Stevens misses with a body kick.
Stevens swings for the body but Soderberg moves out of range.
Stevens connects with a right hand. Soderberg shakes it off.
Stevens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Soderberg.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens tries to land a front kick but Soderberg steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Stevens scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Stevens misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dean Stevens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stevens has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Stevens!
Dean Stevens very nearly forgot to thank Milwaukee's Best 160 amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.
In defeat, Rufus Soderberg stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'm not done. I'm not done. '.