PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Cash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cash
vs
Stevens

157 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ezekiel Cash!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Travis Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Cash tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stevens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cash connects with a high kick.
Cash moves to clinch but Stevens breaks away

and Stevens counters by clinching up.
Cash is trying to drag Stevens to the mat but Stevens just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stevens blocks a body shot from Cash.
Stevens prevents the takedown attempt.
Cash has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Stevens after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Cash. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stevens as Cash tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevens has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Cash is trying to keep an underhook but Stevens manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cash tries to roll over but Stevens keeps him under control.
Cash could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Stevens is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cash doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stevens.

Stevens is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cash sees it coming and defends easily.
Cash knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stevens on the ground.

Stevens is looking for a kimura but Cash is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stevens to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stevens is working for a submission of some sort.
Cash wants to improve his position but Stevens is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevens is working for a kimura but Cash is defending it quite comfortably.

Stevens is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cash has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stevens is working away from the top position though.

Stevens is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Stevens seems to be looking for submissions.
Cash trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cash is defending against the submission attempts here by Stevens.

Cash is defending against the submission attempts here by Stevens.
Cash trying to control but Stevens postures up.

Stevens wants to work for an arm triangle but Cash is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Cash is defending against the submission attempts here by Stevens.

Stevens wants to work for an arm triangle but Cash is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stevens is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Cash defends it well.
Cash striking from the bottom.

Stevens wants to work for an arm triangle but Cash is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Stevens is trying for a kimura here. Cash looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Stevens wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Travis Stevens!
In his post fight interview, Travis Stevens started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.