PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nai Khanom Tom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khanom Tom is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Round 5. 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
Khanom Tom

176 cm
32
175 lbs
33 - 11 - 0

180 cm
38
180 lbs
34 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160
Hellbent

Sex Panther!

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 33 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Nai Khanom Tom !
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Ackerman and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Khanom Tom at a distance.
Stevens ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stevens misses with the combination.
Khanom Tom cracks a nice hook into Stevens's ribs.
Stevens tries to land a body kick
and Khanom Tom counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khanom Tom 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.
Khanom Tom tries a low kick but Stevens avoids it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stevens is trying to maintain a safe position but Khanom Tom gets an underhook and turns Stevens into the cage.
Stevens misses with a body punch.
Stevens is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Khanom Tom to keep the fight standing.
Stevens blocks a body shot from Khanom Tom .
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khanom Tom is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanom Tom blocks a body shot from Stevens.
Khanom Tom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stevens's elbow.
Khanom Tom can't find room to land a body shot as Stevens controls the action.
Khanom Tom tries to throw a body punch but Stevens avoids it by throwing Khanom Tom back against the cage.
Stevens managing to block the knees to the body from Khanom Tom .
Stevens is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Khanom Tom pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Khanom Tom prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khanom Tom lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Khanom Tom will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stevens up against the cage.
Stevens lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Khanom Tom backwards.
Stevens dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khanom Tom misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Khanom Tom won't allow it.
Stevens blocking some punches.
Khanom Tom lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Stevens prevents a body shot from Khanom Tom .
Khanom Tom controlling the action here for a moment.
Stevens lands with a left to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Khanom Tom .
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens misses with the head strike.
Khanom Tom working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stevens lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stevens stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanom Tom working aggressively here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stevens taking a breather.
Khanom Tom misses with a punch to the body.

Khanom Tom breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stevens tries to land a front kick but Khanom Tom steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Khanom Tom works over Stevens's head and body with a nice combination.
A decent looking cross lands there for Khanom Tom .
Stevens misses with a looping right.
Nice straight punches there by Khanom Tom . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Khanom Tom .
Khanom Tom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevens was well out of range. Poor timing from Khanom Tom .

Stevens is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Khanom Tom 's half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevens not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Khanom Tom is trying to get back to full guard.
Khanom Tom is trying to maintain the position but Stevens is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens wants to take a breather but Khanom Tom is having none of it.
Khanom Tom is looking to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stevens is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Khanom Tom has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stevens wants to control but Khanom Tom is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nai Khanom Tom will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Khanom Tom slaps away a takedown attempt from Stevens, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stevens takes a swing at Khanom Tom 's ribcage but misses.

Stevens looking to score a takedown here. Khanom Tom is defending well but Stevens drives through and ends up in Khanom Tom 's guard.
Stevens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Khanom Tom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Khanom Tom is pulling down on Stevens's head. It's preventing any offense from Stevens, at least for the moment.

Stevens has gone for a leg lock! Khanom Tom slips out almost immediately though and dives into Stevens's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanom Tom is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Stevens has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Khanom Tom 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 Stevens.
Stevens tries to buck Khanom Tom off but Khanom Tom is having none of it.
Stevens is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Stevens is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Khanom Tom 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khanom Tom wants to stand up but Stevens has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Stevens is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stevens is trying to maintain the position but Khanom Tom is very close to passing his half guard.
Stevens wants to improve his position but Khanom Tom is controlling well.
Khanom Tom wants to control but Stevens is keeping him busy.
Khanom Tom is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nai Khanom Tom hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Stevens misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanom Tom lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Khanom Tom is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A slow jab from Khanom Tom misses its intended target.
Khanom Tom keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stevens takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Khanom Tom is looking to land body kicks.
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.
Khanom Tom just misses with a punch to the body.
Khanom Tom throws out a leg kick but Stevens moves out of range and Khanom Tom only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khanom Tom tries to land a body kick
and Stevens counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Khanom Tom works the jab nicely.
Stevens changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nai Khanom Tom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Khanom Tom clinches up with Stevens and pushes him back against the cage.
Khanom Tom is looking to control Stevens's arms but Stevens gets an underhook and turns him. Now Khanom Tom has his back to the cage.
Khanom Tom works on Stevens's body with a couple of short punches.
Stevens tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Khanom Tom lands a right hand.
Stevens tries to work over Khanom Tom 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens slows down the pace here.
Khanom Tom can't find room to land a body shot as Stevens controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nai Khanom Tom will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stevens stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Khanom Tom .
Stevens is looking to wear down Khanom Tom with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Stevens moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Khanom Tom pivots, looking for a leg kick but Stevens is out of range and Khanom Tom settles back down.
Stevens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khanom Tom .
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.
Stevens tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Khanom Tom defends well and Stevens ends up having to push Khanom Tom into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Stevens pulls guard effortlessly.
Stevens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Khanom Tom is looking to stand up but Stevens won't let him.

Stevens looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Khanom Tom looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Khanom Tom preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanom Tom is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Stevens is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Khanom Tom stays in close to Stevens's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nai Khanom Tom was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Khanom Tom stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Khanom Tom wants it to stay on the feet.
Khanom Tom throws a wild body kick that Stevens sees coming a mile off.
Khanom Tom scores with a hook.
A good leg kick by Khanom Tom .
Khanom Tom scores with a hook.
Khanom Tom throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stevens on the side of the head.
Dean Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khanom Tom scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stevens in his tracks.
Nai Khanom Tom is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Khanom Tom walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stevens checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khanom Tom looks to land a combination but Stevens avoids it well.
Khanom Tom buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Stevens on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Khanom Tom throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nai Khanom Tom seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Khanom Tom loads up on a big right hand but Stevens slips the punch.
Khanom Tom moves away from the strike by Stevens.
Khanom Tom moves out of range of the strikes.
Khanom Tom cracks the inside of Stevens's front leg.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Khanom Tom sprawls well. Khanom Tom wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stevens gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khanom Tom connects with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanom Tom tries to clinch up.
Stevens misses with a right hand
and Khanom Tom counters with a straight right hand.
Stevens takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Stevens scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Dean Stevens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Khanom Tom dodges the ground and pound from Stevens.
Stevens is working Khanom Tom over with some ground and pound from side control.
Stevens is trying to ground and pound but Khanom Tom uses the momentary lack of control by Stevens to regain half guard.
Khanom Tom regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nai Khanom Tom is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khanom Tom tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stevens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stevens is looking to work some ground and pound but Khanom Tom has wrist control.
Stevens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stevens lands a couple of digs.
Stevens throws an elbow that misses. Khanom Tom uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stevens's guard. Nice move by Khanom Tom !
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Khanom Tom got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stevens has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Khanom Tom has managed to get both his arms back between Stevens's legs - danger averted.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nai Khanom Tom .
I've got Khanom Tom 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nai Khanom Tom !
A victorious Nai Khanom Tom thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.