PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jere Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blue Jay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jere Stephens has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stephens
vs
Jay

185 cm
25
164 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

168 cm
25
162 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jere Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Blue Jay!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jay circles away quickly and effectively.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Jay is defended easily by Stephens.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stephens shoots in for a takedown but Jay shows good takedown defense.
Stephens fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Jay checks it well.
Jay will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stephens lands with a good body shot.
Stephens throws a big shot that misses.
Stephens scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Jay doesn't seem bothered though.
Jay keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stephens seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Jay shoots in but Stephens avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jere Stephens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blue Jay.
Stephens stuns Jay with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jay throws a big shot that misses.
Stephens lands a nice looking body shot.
A combination from Stephens does no damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephens takes a swing at Jay's ribcage but misses.
Stephens misses with a few strikes there.
Stephens scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Blue Jay has been cut.
Jay fails with the takedown
and Stephens counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jay shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stephens as he jumps to the side.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut there from Stephens.
Stephens scores with a shot to the body.
Jay uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stephens.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Stephens enables Jay to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Stephens manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Jay stops Stephens from standing up.
Jay throwing strikes from guard but Stephens blocks nicely.
Jay has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jay works over Stephens with some ground and pound from guard.
Jay connects with a couple of short punches.
Jay stands up over Stephens, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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!
Stephens wants to stand and escape but Jay is having none of it.

Jay drops back looking for a leg! Stephens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stephens manages to kick Jay off! Jay jumps back into Stephens's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens wants to stand but Jay is controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jay accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Stephens manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Jay can't get the takedown.

Stephens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Jay shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stephens is trying to defend but Jay finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Jay missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jay landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Jay scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Jay seems to be looking for submissions.
Jay stops Stephens from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jay is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stephens is trying to stand.
Jay scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Jay looks to land a strike but Stephens avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Stephens uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Jay throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stephens tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Jay is in Stephens's guard.
Jay lands a couple of elbows.
Stephens is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Jay is controlling him.
Jay postures up in Stephens's guard and throws a big left but Stephens blocks it.
Stephens keeping moving, preventing Jay from controlling successfully.
Stephens is looking to stand back up but Jay counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Stephens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stephens is trying to stand.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Stephens is breathing heavily.

Jay is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stephens tries to kick Jay off but Jay keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Jay is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Jay is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stephens looks like he's trying to stand up.

Jay is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stephens doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jay.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jay wants to control but Stephens is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Blue Jay will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Blue Jay's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Stephens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jay fails to land the takedown.
Jere Stephens is winning the standup battle so far.

Stephens looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Jay!
Jay regains half guard.
Nice strikes from Stephens there.
Stephens tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Jay tries to roll over but Stephens keeps him under control.
Jay trying to control here.
Jay is trying to stand back up but Stephens is controlling him
Stephens wants to stand but Jay has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Jay manages to get to full guard.
Jay looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stephens is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jay is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Jay has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stephens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stephens would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stephens accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jay controls Stephens momentarily but Stephens frees himself.

Jay has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stephens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stephens wants to control from the top but Jay keeps moving.
Jay looking for a sweep. Not yet Jay, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jay working for a triangle but Stephens defends it easily.
Jay trying to keep a closed guard but Stephens is proving a slippery customer.
Jay is breathing heavily.

Stephens stands up and waves to Jay to follow him.

Jay gets the takedown into side control.
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!
Stephens wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Blue Jay has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stephens tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jay tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Stephens tries to escape but Jay is in control.
Jay is chipping away with strikes.
Stephens wants to get back to his feet.

Jay thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jay lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Stephens down.
Jay in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Stephens is trying to buck Jay off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jay working the ground and pound from side control.
Jay grinds an elbow into Stephens's temple.
Jay landing a few strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephens takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Jay is working Stephens over with some ground and pound from side control.

Jay thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jay working the ground and pound from side control.

Stephens is rocked!
Stephens is not content to let Jay control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jay scoring with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blue Jay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Blue Jay's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Jay takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A combination from Stephens does no damage.
Stephens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jay.

Jay bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Jay thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Jay is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stephens has escaped the position, nice work there.
Jay is working Stephens over with some ground and pound from side control.
Stephens is trying to buck Jay off.
Jay lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stephens is trying to get back to his feet.
Jay cracks Stephens with a big right hand but Stephens just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Jay landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Oh Stephens is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens struggling a bit here.
Stephens seems to have got his legs back now.
Jay working the head with strikes.

Jay thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Stephens manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Jay is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Stephens still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Stephens has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jay can do anything to dispel that myth.
Stephens tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Jay tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Stephens wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Stephens will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Stephens lands a decent elbow from side control.

Stephens has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Jay has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Jay has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Stephens finds it's way round the side to connect with Jay's head.
Jere Stephens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jay drives through with a takedown into Stephens's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jay thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stephens is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Jay is controlling him.
Jay distracts Stephens with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stephens wants to stand but Jay is controlling the position.
Jay working some strikes from top position.
Jay working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Stephens's head.
Jay cracks Stephens with a solid left hand.
Jay chips away with some ground and pound.
Jay scoring with some ground and pound.
Jay with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jay pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stephens is keeping the position for now.
Jay won't allow Stephens to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jay drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stephens manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Jay has Stephens in his guard.
Jay wants to sweep but no luck.
Blue Jay is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stephens postures up and lands a big shot to Jay's brow.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Jay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stephens postures up in Jay's guard and throws a big left but Jay blocks it.
Jay looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stephens keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jay's head.
Stephens postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stephens preventing the sweep.
Stephens scoring with punches to the head and body.
Jay manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stephens manages to get himself to full guard.

Stephens working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Jay has passed into half guard!
Jay landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jay takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jay working Stephens over with strikes.
Stephens throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blue Jay comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jay 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blue Jay!
A relieved looking Blue Jay thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.