PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jamel Bernard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonard Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Jamel Bernard has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Bernard
vs
Stephenson

207 cm
25
193 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

187 cm
24
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jamel Bernard!
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, Leonard Stephenson!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bernard moves into the clinch.

Bernard works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Stephenson pulls Bernard in to control the position.

Stephenson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stephenson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Stephenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stephenson controls Bernard momentarily but Bernard frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stephenson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bernard defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stephenson throws a sloppy head kick
and Bernard counters with a straight right hand.

Stephenson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stephenson stalling the fight.

Stephenson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stephenson swats away the attempt to clinch by Bernard.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bernard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stephenson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stephenson has Bernard pressed against the cage, preventing Bernard from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bernard is stalling here.
Bernard wants to break the clinch but can't.

Stephenson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stephenson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Stephenson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Stephenson decides to stand back up. Stephenson steps back and let's Bernard get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernard lands a head kick. Stephenson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Stephenson gets a takedown into half guard.

Stephenson is working for a kimura but Bernard is defending it quite comfortably.
Stephenson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Bernard trying to hold on to Stephenson's head to control him but Stephenson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernard is staying active underneath Stephenson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stephenson trying to mount his opponent but Bernard defends it.
Stephenson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Stephenson tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Bernard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Stephenson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bernard's guard.
Stephenson trying to control but Bernard is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bernard working for a triangle but Stephenson defends it easily.
Bernard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Stephenson is sitting in close to Bernard's body. Bernard has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Stephenson is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Stephenson is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Bernard.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Jamel Bernard!