PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Griffin Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Kalaway (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.

Stevens
vs
Kalaway

176 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight 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, Griffin Stevens!
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, Mark Kalaway!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalaway fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stevens, pushing him back against the cage.
Kalaway lands a knee to the head.
Kalaway with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Kalaway won't allow it.
Stevens fails to pull guard.
Kalaway tries to land knees in the clinch but Stevens avoids the damage to the body.
Stevens tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kalaway just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Griffin Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalaway lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Griffin Stevens has been cut.
Kalaway lands an elbow inside that Stevens shrugs off.
Stevens avoids the elbow strike from Kalaway, against the cage.
Kalaway creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stevens's defenses.

Stevens has picked Kalaway up - he's going for a ride! Stevens dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Stevens trying to control the pace.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stevens seems to be looking for submissions.
Stevens prevents Kalaway from improving his position.

Kalaway is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stevens pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevens seems to be working for a kimura but Kalaway defends the submission attempt.

Kalaway looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kalaway knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Kalaway looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kalaway is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Stevens trying to mount his opponent but Kalaway defends it.
Ground and pound from Stevens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kalaway looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stevens is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kalaway!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stevens swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kalaway is now in Stevens's guard. A big mistake from Stevens there, giving up the dominant position!

Kalaway is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stevens is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stevens has escaped and now he's on top!
Stevens might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stevens passes into half guard.
Kalaway wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens not doing much here.

Stevens is trying to work for a kimura but Kalaway is defending well.
Kalaway is staying active underneath Stevens, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stevens perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Kalaway looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalaway is not content to let Stevens control the position.
Well, if Stevens is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Kalaway actively working from the bottom here.
Stevens trying to control the action but Kalaway is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kalaway looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Stevens there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Griffin Stevens dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Griffin Stevens's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kalaway darts in trying to clinch

and Stevens counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Stevens is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kalaway sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kalaway won't allow Stevens to pass to mount.
Stevens wants to take a breather but Kalaway is having none of it.
Stevens is looking to advance position but Kalaway won't allow it.

Kalaway looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stevens has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Stevens controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Stevens trying to control but Kalaway is having none of it.
Stevens putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kalaway is working to get back to half guard.
Stevens takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to control the pace but Kalaway is squirming around nicely.
Griffin Stevens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Stevens jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kalaway manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Kalaway is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Stevens advances nicely into full mount.
Stevens breaks from Kalaway's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Stevens fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens wants to control the pace but Kalaway is squirming around nicely.
Stevens controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalaway is in all sorts of trouble here.

Stevens working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Stevens connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kalaway manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Kalaway looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stevens is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stevens performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Stevens is nestled in close to Kalaway, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stevens is keen to just control but Kalaway is a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stevens is working for a submission of some sort.
Kalaway is looking for a sweep. Stevens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Griffin Stevens dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Griffin Stevens's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kalaway wants to clinch but Stevens slips to the side

and Stevens counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kalaway!
Kalaway sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Stevens is looking to stall here but Kalaway recovers full guard.
Stevens trying to control but Kalaway is working from the bottom.

Kalaway throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stevens is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Stevens is pushing down on Kalaway's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kalaway is fighting to maintain full guard but Stevens has managed to sneak the leg through.
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Kalaway is defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kalaway looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens tries to pass to full mount but Kalaway defends it.
Stevens is controlling the pace.
Stevens passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kalaway manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kalaway is in trouble now - Stevens has advanced to mount!
Mark Kalaway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalaway is wriggling around trying to escape.

Stevens is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kalaway can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Stevens jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kalaway manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Stevens is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kalaway's shoulder. That is not cool.
Kalaway tries to bench press Stevens off him but Stevens keeps the position.
Kalaway seems a little lost for a moment, as Stevens dominates the positioning.
Stevens is looking to take a break and control but Kalaway is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stevens working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevens tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stevens has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kalaway is trying to get back to half guard.

Stevens swings around for an armbar but Kalaway sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Stevens's guard.

Stevens is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kalaway is aware though and is defending well.
Stevens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kalaway is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalaway advances to half guard.

Kalaway is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kalaway not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stevens manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kalaway has gone for a leg lock! Stevens slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kalaway's guard.
Stevens forces his way into half guard.
Griffin Stevens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kalaway is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stevens pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Griffin Stevens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stevens, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Griffin Stevens!
In his post fight interview, Griffin Stevens started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.