PBP Commentary

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

Tapettava
vs
Stevenson

188 cm
28
162 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

178 cm
32
168 lbs
23 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

SP Ultimate Nutrition

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 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nyrkilla Tapettava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Bear Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapettava tries to land a leg kick but Stevenson saw it coming and moves away.
Tapettava misses with a body shot.
Tapettava throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevenson checks a leg kick.
Tapettava really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tapettava lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tapettava throws a solid leg kick but Stevenson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tapettava.
Stevenson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevenson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tapettava moves away from the strike by Stevenson.
Stevenson tests Tapettava's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tapettava throws a solid leg kick but Stevenson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tapettava.
Stevenson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tapettava cracks Stevenson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tapettava throws a front kick aimed at Stevenson's knee but Stevenson avoids it well.
Tapettava walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tapettava checks a leg kick nicely.
Tapettava does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Stevenson - that will leave a mark!

Stevenson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tapettava sprawls well initially but Stevenson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tapettava wants to control but Stevenson is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapettava wants to get back to full guard.
Tapettava is working hard here to advance position.
Stevenson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tapettava defends it well.
Tapettava regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tapettava looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tapettava utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tapettava throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Tapettava is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tapettava looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevenson is one step ahead there.
Stevenson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tapettava is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tapettava is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tapettava keeping full guard, as Stevenson tries to pass.
Tapettava wants to sweep here but Stevenson controlling him for the moment.
Stevenson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stevenson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stevenson throwing strikes from guard but Tapettava blocks nicely.
Stevenson is looking to work some ground and pound but Tapettava has wrist control.
Tapettava working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stevenson.
Stevenson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tapettava is controlling Stevenson's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Tapettava working a defensive guard but Stevenson passes into half guard.
Tapettava is looking to improve his position.
Stevenson passes to full mount!
Tapettava is trying desperately to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tapettava tries to hold on but Stevenson postures up.
Stevenson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Tapettava hang on?
Tapettava bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Stevenson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava throwing strikes from guard but Stevenson blocks nicely.
Tapettava lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stevenson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tapettava is one step ahead there.
Tapettava throws a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Tapettava trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tapettava postures up in Stevenson's guard and throws a big left but Stevenson blocks it.
Stevenson wants to sweep but no luck.
Stevenson told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Stevenson trying to keep a closed guard but Tapettava is proving a slippery customer.
Tapettava wants to pass the guard but Stevenson is keeping the position.

Stevenson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tapettava gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Stevenson dominated that round.
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.

Tapettava throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tapettava displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stevenson throws out the jab.
Tapettava tries to counter with a takedown but Stevenson is quick to defend against it.
Stevenson works over Tapettava's head and body with a nice combination.
Stevenson looks to score with a jab to the body but Tapettava is just out of range.
Stevenson checks a leg kick.
Stevenson blocks a leg kick.
Stevenson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stevenson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stevenson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stevenson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tapettava throws a front kick aimed at Stevenson's knee but Stevenson avoids it well.
A swing and a miss from Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with a looping left.
Tapettava fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stevenson checks it well.
Stevenson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Tapettava throws a push kick but Stevenson slaps the foot to one side.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tapettava fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tapettava throws a low kick but it's checked well by Stevenson.
Stevenson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tapettava attempts a counter takedown but Stevenson avoids it well and moves away.
Stevenson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tapettava is looking to chop away at Stevenson's legs.
Stevenson is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Stevenson misses with a body shot.
Nyrkilla Tapettava seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapettava smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tapettava lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Stevenson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tapettava ducks under a wild hook from Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a solid leg kick but Tapettava takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Stevenson.
Tapettava misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevenson misses with a body shot.
Stevenson misses the jab.
Stevenson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tapettava misses with a body kick.
Tapettava will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tapettava blocks a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tapettava.
Stevenson is looking for the big counter here.
Tapettava moves out of range of the body kick from Stevenson.
Tapettava throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tapettava fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stevenson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Stevenson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tapettava throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stevenson's waist but Stevenson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tapettava off to one side.
Tapettava dips to his left and cracks Stevenson with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson scores with a nice body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tapettava throws a leg kick but Stevenson checks it.
Good work by Tapettava as he checks the leg kick.
Tapettava just misses with a punch to the body.
Stevenson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stevenson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tapettava avoids it really well and circles away.
Tapettava checks a low kick from Stevenson.
Tapettava is looking to slow Stevenson down with leg kicks.
Tapettava scores with a head kick.
Stevenson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tapettava uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stevenson.
Nyrkilla Tapettava is winning the standup battle so far.
Tapettava walks forward, straight into a front kick from Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a shot to the body.
Tapettava is looking to wear down Stevenson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Stevenson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tapettava.
Tapettava tried to score with a low kick but Stevenson checks it.
Tapettava throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stevenson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A bone on bone clash there as Stevenson blocks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapettava misses with a low kick.
Stevenson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tapettava throws a chopping leg kick but Stevenson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stevenson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Tapettava with a body shot.
Stevenson blocks a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Stevenson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice sprawl there from Stevenson as Tapettava shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nyrkilla Tapettava. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tapettava fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a body shot but no joy.
Stevenson lands a glancing blow to the side of Tapettava's head.
Stevenson throws a leg kick which misses Tapettava's front leg but catches the back leg as Tapettava tries to avoid it.
Tapettava scores with a kick to the midsection.
Stevenson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tapettava scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tapettava throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A good leg kick by Tapettava.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tapettava as he avoids it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tapettava lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stevenson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stevenson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tapettava throws a chopping leg kick but Stevenson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stevenson is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tapettava delivers a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tapettava as he avoids it easily.
Tapettava dips to his left and cracks Stevenson with an uppercut!
Tapettava throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tapettava uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stevenson.
Tapettava tries to work over Stevenson's front leg with a kick but Stevenson checks it.
Tapettava keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stevenson checks a low kick from Tapettava.
Tapettava keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stevenson.
Tapettava will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Stevenson only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Stevenson blocks the leg kick.
Tapettava shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevenson as he jumps to the side.
Tapettava lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tapettava throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tapettava throws a leg kick that misses.
Tapettava is looking to chop away at Stevenson's legs.
It looks like Tapettava has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Stevenson blocks a leg kick.
Tapettava tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick from Stevenson misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nyrkilla Tapettava dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Stevenson. Tapettava shrugs it off though.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tapettava as he jumps to the side.
Tapettava avoids the body shot from Stevenson.
Tapettava throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevenson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tapettava throws a leg kick but Stevenson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stevenson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Stevenson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tapettava.
Tapettava tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stevenson defends well and Tapettava ends up having to push Stevenson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stevenson throws out a loose jab but Tapettava uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stevenson misses the jab.
Tapettava slips under a jab from Stevenson.
Tapettava staying out of range there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tapettava was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevenson.
Tapettava attempts a counter takedown but Stevenson avoids it well and moves away.
A cross from Stevenson lands.
Tapettava throws a leg kick but Stevenson moved away.
Stevenson unleashes a big counter combination but Tapettava bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Stevenson misses with a straight right.
Stevenson cracks Tapettava with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Stevenson scores with a jab.
Tapettava lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapettava misses with a low kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tapettava checks a leg kick.
Stevenson moves out of range of the body kick.
Stevenson throws a leg kick which misses Tapettava's front leg but catches the back leg as Tapettava tries to avoid it.
Tapettava looks to score with a jab to the body but Stevenson is just out of range.
Tapettava moves forwards but Stevenson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tapettava lands with a cross.
Tapettava connects with an inside leg kick.
Stevenson moves out of range of the leg kick from Tapettava.
Tapettava takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A head kick misses from Tapettava.
Tapettava tries to work over Stevenson's front leg with a kick but Stevenson checks it.
Tapettava throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Tapettava tries a low kick but Stevenson avoids it.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tapettava.
Tapettava moves away from the strike by Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a body punch but Tapettava moves out of range.
Tapettava is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Stevenson missing with a left hand there. Tapettava was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tapettava misses with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevenson throws a big shot that misses.
Tapettava connects with the punch.
Tapettava moves out of range as Stevenson throws a body kick.
Stevenson takes a swing at Tapettava's ribcage but misses.
Stevenson lands a head shot.
Tapettava cracks Stevenson with a good jab.
Tapettava lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tapettava keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tapettava feinted with a counter takedown.
Stevenson defending well as Tapettava loads up on a big left hand.
Stevenson digs a good body shot into Tapettava's ribs.
Tapettava lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stevenson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tapettava is fending him off so far but Stevenson persists. Nope, Tapettava circles away and we're back to standing.
Tapettava appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Tapettava blocks the body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tapettava.
Tapettava thumps Stevenson with a low kick.
Tapettava connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stevenson momentarily.
Tapettava takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Stevenson blocks the leg kick.
Stevenson stalks Tapettava and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tapettava's face. Tapettava staggers backwards, shaken.
A big left from Tapettava misses.
Tapettava keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tapettava throws a head kick that Stevenson semi-blocks.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tapettava.
Stevenson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tapettava can pounce on him.
Tapettava misses with a hook.
Stevenson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tapettava throws a leg kick which misses Stevenson's front leg but catches the back leg as Stevenson tries to avoid it.
Tapettava tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stevenson is able to avoid easily.
Tapettava throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tapettava lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tapettava takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson lands a jab to the head.
Nice defenses there by Tapettava.
Stevenson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tapettava.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tapettava, right into the meat.
A jab from Stevenson finds it's way through Tapettava's defenses.
Tapettava connects with a leg kick. Stevenson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Stevenson.
Tapettava throws a low kick, looking for Stevenson's leg but Stevenson calmly moves out of range.
Stevenson misses with a straight right.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
Tapettava looks to land a right hand but Stevenson moved out of range.
Stevenson lands with a nice body punch.
Stevenson misses the jab.
Tapettava throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tapettava feints and then cracks Stevenson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stevenson down.
Stevenson throws a low kick, looking for Tapettava's leg but Tapettava calmly moves out of range.
Stevenson throws a looping overhand right but Tapettava ducks down to avoid it.
Stevenson checks a leg kick.
Stevenson tries a quick counter leg kick but Tapettava is wise to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tapettava's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stevenson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tapettava scrambles back to his feet.
Tapettava throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Stevenson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A lazy body kick from Tapettava
and Stevenson counters with a stiff right hand.
Tapettava lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bear Stevenson.
I think Stevenson 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bear Stevenson!
After winning the bout, Bear Stevenson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.