PBP Commentary

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

Stephens
vs
Lester

185 cm
27
164 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

185 cm
25
165 lbs
9 - 20 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jere Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Bryan Lester!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lester misses with a takedown
and Stephens counters with a three punch combo that has Lester backing up. Lester nods at Stephens to acknowledge the strikes.
A punch combination from Stephens misses.
Stephens misses with the combination.

Lester scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Lester tries to pass to full mount but Stephens defends it.

Lester gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Stephens falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lester holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Lester.
A frustrated look appears on Stephens's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Lester has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stephens uses from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephens has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lester is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute 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.
Lester tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Stephens avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lester has his foot on Stephens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stephens works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lester is trying to control the position but Stephens postures up.
Lester keeping full guard, as Stephens tries to pass.
Lester is controlling Stephens's posture.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Lester has his foot on Stephens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stephens works his way back into a safe position though.
Stephens has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stephens stopping the sweep attempt from Lester.
Lester trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lester is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stephens.

It looks like Bryan Lester has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lester shoots in and drives through. Stephens sprawls well.
Lester shoots in for a takedown but Stephens shows good takedown defense.
Jere Stephens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bryan Lester.
Lester shoots in for a takedown but Stephens shows good takedown defense.
Lester showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stephens.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Lester moves out of range.
Stephens throws a series of strikes that have Lester backpedaling.

Lester is rocked!
Stephens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lester is still on wobbly legs! Can Stephens finish him?
Stephens throws an uppercut from hell that sends Lester clean off his feet! He's out cold! Stephens stands back and admires his work as he thinks about that KO of the night award that is surely being wrapped up for him back stage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Jere Stephens!