PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dwight Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Kerr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kerr has chosen FALLING EMBERS by-HEAVEN SHALL BURN as his entrance music. Mark Kerr has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dwight Stephens's chin.

Stephens
vs
Kerr

175 cm
25
279 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

192 cm
25
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dwight Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Kerr!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens misses with a two punch combination.
Kerr is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kerr.
Kerr lands with a shot to the body.
Mark Kerr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kerr tries to clinch up
and Stephens counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kerr cracks the inside of Stephens's front leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens throws a combination that misses
and Kerr makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Stephens really felt that one!
Kerr scores with a body shot.
Stephens shoots in for a double leg but Kerr sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mark Kerr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens looks for a takedown but Kerr sprawls well.
Stephens takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Dwight Stephens has been cut.
Stephens doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kerr cracks a nice hook into Stephens's ribs.
A head kick from Kerr lands but Stephens takes it in his stride.
Kerr lands a high kick!
Kerr lands with a good body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerr lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kerr is looking to slow Stephens down with leg kicks.
Stephens could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Kerr lands a head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kerr throws a nice looking combination but Stephens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
It looked like Stephens was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kerr lands a leg kick that knocks Stephens off balance momentarily.
Kerr throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stephens takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kerr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerr avoids the body shot from Stephens.
Kerr with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stephens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kerr.
Kerr throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kerr thuds a left hand into Stephens's body.
Kerr looks winded!
Kerr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stephens was well out of range. Poor timing from Kerr.
Kerr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kerr connects with a body shot that sends Stephens's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerr throws a head kick that misses

and Stephens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Stephens decides to pull guard.
Stephens is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Stephens uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kerr lands a head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Kerr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dwight Stephens's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stephens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kerr as he jumps to the side.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kerr, right into the meat.
Stephens takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kerr throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stephens's head.
Kerr slaps away a takedown attempt from Stephens, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerr digs a good hook to Stephens's body.
Kerr feints and then cracks Stephens's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stephens down.

Stephens forces Kerr back against the cage and clinches.
Stephens prevents Kerr from breaking the clinch.
Kerr creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Stephens manages to break the clinch.
Stephens walks into a straight right hand from Kerr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stephens swings for the body but Kerr moves out of range.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Kerr avoids them all with ease.
Kerr looks to land a body kick but Stephens moved away.
Kerr scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kerr connects with a leg kick. Stephens looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Stephens fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kerr, pushing him back against the cage.
Kerr pushes off an throws an elbow but Stephens leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Stephens jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kerr walks away with a smile on his face. Stephens gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwight Stephens. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerr misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stephens takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kerr is breathing heavily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kerr, right into the meat.
No joy there for Stephens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stephens closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kerr thumps Stephens with a low kick.

Stephens fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kerr, pushing him back against the cage.

Stephens jumps into guard, dragging Kerr to the mat.
Kerr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerr stopping the sweep attempt from Stephens.

Stephens scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kerr connects with a right hand. Stephens shakes it off.
Mark Kerr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kerr lands a nice shot that snaps Stephens's head back.

Stephens takes the fight into the clinch.
Stephens keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kerr's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Kerr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dwight Stephens's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kerr looks to score with a jab to the body but Stephens is just out of range.
As Kerr looks to move away, Stephens throws a big counter combo bu Kerr just gets out of the way.
Nice body punch from Kerr.
Stephens misses with a jab, cross combination.

Stephens looking to score a takedown here. Kerr is defending well but Stephens drives through and ends up in Kerr's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stephens stands up and waves to Kerr to follow him.
Stephens takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A countering left hand to the body from Kerr misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens throws a head kick but Kerr moves out of range.
Kerr thuds his shin into the meat of Stephens's side.
Stephens tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kerr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kerr lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kerr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kerr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stephens's calf.
Stephens misses with a head kick.
Kerr pushes Stephens away with a front kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Kerr tries to keep at a distance but Stephens has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kerr can't break the clinch.

Stephens successfully pulls guard.
Kerr being controlled here momentarily.
Stephens wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kerr.
Kerr looking to sit in guard and control but Stephens gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kerr is working an open guard so Stephens takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kerr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kerr goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Stephens throws a sloppy head kick and Kerr moves out of range easily.

Stephens gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens lands a knee to the body.

Stephens jumps into guard, dragging Kerr to the mat.
Stephens looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mark Kerr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dwight Stephens.
I think Kerr has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Kerr!
Our winner, Mark Kerr, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.