PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leonard Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Stien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Washington comes to the cage accompanied by Snuffed Out by Streetlife. 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.

Washington
vs
Stien

185 cm
39
220 lbs
23 - 18 - 0

180 cm
31
215 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leonard Washington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Stien!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Skip Squint and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stien lands a nice looking body shot.
Stien has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Washington is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Stien moves away from the strike by Washington.
Stien blocks a jab.
Washington has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Washington throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stien sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Washington instigates a clinch.

Stien breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stien tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Washington manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stien throws a right hand that Washington ducks under and follows up with a left that Washington also avoids with ease.
Washington throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stien connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Washington's hands.

It looks like Leonard Washington has been cut.
Stien scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Washington lands with a good body shot.

Stien shoots in and gets a takedown into Washington's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Stien throwing strikes but missing.
Stien throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stien stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Washington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stien working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Washington pulls Stien in to control the position.
Stien trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stien controlling from the top position.
Stien throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Washington works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Washington avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stien trying to control the position from guard on top but Washington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Washington is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stien doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Washington to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Ben Stien has been cut.
Nice body kick from Washington.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stien looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Washington is fending him off so far but Stien persists. Nope, Washington circles away and we're back to standing.
Washington throws a head kick that Stien semi-blocks.
Washington misses with an uppercut.
Washington throws a leg kick but Stien checks it.
Stien fails to land with a series of punches.
Stien misses the shot to the body.
Washington tries a low kick but Stien avoids it.

Stien scores with a takedown into Washington's guard.
Washington pulls Stien in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stien working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stien is looking to work some ground and pound but Washington has wrist control.
Stien throwing strikes from guard but Washington blocks nicely.
Stien lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stien is fighting to break Washington's control of his arms but Washington is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Washington working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stien.
Washington pulls Stien in to control the position.
Stien wants to control from the top but Washington keeps moving.
Stien has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stien scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stien is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stien loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stien loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Washington wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stien postures up in Washington's guard and throws a big left but Washington blocks it.
Stien wants to pass the guard but Washington is keeping the position.
Stien throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stien stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Washington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stien throws a big elbow that misses.
Stien scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Stien dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Washington misses with a wild body shot.
Washington throws a sloppy body shot

and Stien counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Stien advances position into side control!
Washington is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Washington keeping control of the position.
Washington is staying active underneath Stien, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Stien is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Washington doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stien.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stien wants to pass the guard but Washington is defending well.
Ben Stien has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington is refusing to be controlled, as Stien sits in half guard.
Washington works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stien stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Washington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stien looking to sit in guard and control but Washington gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Washington throws a strike but Stien rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Washington avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stien looking to pass the guard.
Washington seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Washington is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Washington thows a huge punch but Stien dodges it nicely.
Washington looks to score some points with some 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!
Washington not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stien is trying to maintain the position but Washington is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stien tries to get to full guard but Washington has control of the leg.
Washington wants to control but Stien is keeping him busy.
Stien is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Washington's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Washington's back!
Stien punishes Washington with strikes from the back mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stien working for the choke.

Stien is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Washington is defending well though. Stien let's go of the attempt for now.
Washington trying to control the hands but Stien breaks the grip.

Stien is looking for the choke from the back position but Washington is controlling his hands well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Washington can't escape the position.

Washington defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Stien misses with an elbow to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Washington tries to escape but Stien has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Stien showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stien.
Stien looks for a takedown but Washington sprawls well.
Washington misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stien pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Washington missing with a left hand there. Stien was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stien fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Washington avoids it really well and circles away.
Washington lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stien misses with a looping left.
Stien scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stien is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Washington throws a chopping leg kick but Stien manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stien stuns Washington with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Washington thumps Stien with a low kick.
Stien lands a nice hook to Washington's body. Washington takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Stien shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Washington as he avoids it easily.
Leonard Washington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Stien.
Washington motions for Stien to come forward. Washington throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Washington misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stien is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Washington rather than just go for the knockout.
Stien misses with a takedown attempt
and Washington counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Washington takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Leonard Washington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington throws a head kick that half lands.

That has opened up Ben Stien's cut even more.

Stien looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Washington!
Stien takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stien is trying to get an arm triangle but Washington is defending well.
Stien tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Stien looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Washington gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Stien is looking for a kimura but Washington is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stien to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Washington manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Washington preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Washington working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stien.
Stien missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stien trying to control the position from guard on top but Washington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Washington is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Stien working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Washington looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stien is one step ahead there.
Washington avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washington keeping moving, preventing Stien from controlling successfully.
Washington wants to sweep here but Stien controlling him for the moment.
Stien trying to control but Washington is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Stien throws a big elbow that misses.
Stien distracts Washington with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stien throws a strike but Washington rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Washington throws a strike but Stien rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ben Stien.
I've got Stien 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:30

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