PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stannis Baratheon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrik Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Baratheon
vs
Stephens

193 cm
24
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stannis Baratheon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Henrik Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Baratheon does no damage.
Baratheon tries to bum rush Stephens with a series of wild strikes but Stephens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baratheon goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Henrik Stephens has been cut.
Baratheon looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Baratheon keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Baratheon went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Stephens closes the distance and clinches up with Baratheon, looking for a takedown. Stephens pushes Baratheon against the cage but Baratheon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stephens changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baratheon tries to avoid it but Stephens manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baratheon to the ground. Baratheon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Baratheon misses its target.
Stannis Baratheon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrik Stephens.
Baratheon lands a really nice looking cross but Stephens seems unphased.
Baratheon throws a big shot that misses.
Stephens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baratheon.
A cross from Baratheon lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stephens has a takedown stuffed.
Stephens throws a head kick that misses

and Baratheon counters with a crisp one two that drops Stephens! Baratheon thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Stephens to his feet! Stephens is in big trouble!

Stephens is rocked!

Stephens darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Stephens is still in real trouble! Can Baratheon finish him?
Baratheon desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Stephens seems to have recovered his senses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baratheon wants to improve his position but Stephens is controlling well.
Baratheon wants to control but Stephens is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stephens is trying to control. Baratheon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Baratheon controlling the position well.

Baratheon looking for submissions off his back.

Stephens is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Baratheon has managed to free his arm - good work.
Baratheon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stephens is working away from the top position though.
Baratheon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stephens's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stephens's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stephens is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Baratheon tightening his grip on Stephens, looking for the choke.
Baratheon is trying to stick to Stephens's back but Stephens is turning into Baratheon. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Baratheon's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Stephens.

Baratheon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stephens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baratheon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Baratheon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stephens doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stephens manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stephens tries to free his leg and advance position but Baratheon is retaining full guard.

Baratheon is looking for a triangle but Stephens pushes his legs off easily.
Stephens wants to control from the top but Baratheon keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baratheon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stephens scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Baratheon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stephens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Baratheon looking for a guillotine here but Stephens defends easily.
Baratheon wants to sweep but no luck.
Baratheon keeping full guard, as Stephens tries to pass.
Stephens stays in close to Baratheon's body and controls the position.
Stephens wants to control from the top but Baratheon keeps moving.
Baratheon wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baratheon is looking for a triangle but Stephens pushes his legs off easily.
Stephens sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Baratheon's guard.
Baratheon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stephens is working away from the top position though.
Baratheon is looking for a sweep. Stephens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stephens wants to control but Baratheon is keeping him busy.
Baratheon gets full guard.
Stephens preventing the sweep.
Baratheon is trying to control the position but Stephens postures up.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Baratheon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baratheon will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Baratheon can't keep his opponent in guard - Stephens advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Baratheon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Stephens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Baratheon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stephens has managed to get both his arms back between Baratheon's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stannis Baratheon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Henrik Stephens's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Baratheon throws a series of punches but Stephens moves out of range.
As Baratheon backs off Stephens throws a huge counter combo but Baratheon manages to avoid it all.
Baratheon throws a series of punches but Stephens moves out of range.
And Stephens tries to counter it with a takedown but Baratheon pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Baratheon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stephens.
Baratheon throws a right hand that Stephens ducks under and follows up with a left that Stephens also avoids with ease.
Stephens tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Baratheon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baratheon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baratheon throws a combination that misses

and Stephens counters with a single leg into guard. Baratheon didn't expect that.
Stephens postures up.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Baratheon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens is fighting to break Baratheon's control of his arms but Baratheon is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Baratheon 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.
Baratheon keeping moving, preventing Stephens from controlling successfully.
Stephens working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stephens thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Baratheon looking for a guillotine here but Stephens defends easily.
Baratheon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stephens.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Baratheon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stephens sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Baratheon's guard.
Baratheon is trying to maintain the position but Stephens is very close to passing his half guard.
Stephens with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Stephens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baratheon keeps working.
Baratheon flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Baratheon wants to improve his position but Stephens is controlling well.
Baratheon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stephens's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stephens's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Baratheon uses his free foot to push down on Stephens's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Stephens.
Stephens holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Baratheon tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Baratheon lands a couple of good shots and Stephens has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Baratheon is trying to stick to Stephens's back but Stephens is turning into Baratheon. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Baratheon's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Stephens.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baratheon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stephens manages to get himself to full guard.

Baratheon got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stephens has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baratheon has managed to get both his arms back between Stephens's legs - danger averted.
Stephens is breathing heavily.
Baratheon trying to control but Stephens is working from the bottom.
Baratheon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stephens can do to turn this around?
Baratheon with a flurry of punches that miss.

Baratheon is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stephens is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stephens has escaped and now he's on top!

Baratheon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stephens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baratheon doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Baratheon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stephens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stephens slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Stephens is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Baratheon knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Baratheon is looking for a sweep.

Stephens tries for a kimura but Baratheon is defending well.
Baratheon is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baratheon wants to control but Stephens postures up.
Henrik Stephens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Baratheon regains half guard.

Stephens is looking for a kimura but Baratheon is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stephens to get the leverage.
Baratheon moves into full guard.

Baratheon working for a triangle but Stephens defends it easily.
Baratheon keeping moving, preventing Stephens from controlling successfully.

Baratheon had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stephens defends it easily.
Baratheon trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stannis Baratheon will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Henrik Stephens's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stephens takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Baratheon throws a shot to the body.
Baratheon blocks a head kick by Stephens.
Stephens shoots in but Baratheon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice shot by Baratheon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens shoots in but no luck this time.
Stannis Baratheon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baratheon moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Stephens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Baratheon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Stephens takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Baratheon misses with a double jab.
Baratheon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baratheon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Baratheon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Baratheon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baratheon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stephens.
Stannis Baratheon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrik Stephens.
Stephens shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baratheon pinned against the cage. Baratheon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Baratheon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baratheon lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baratheon scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baratheon thuds a left hand into Stephens's body.
Baratheon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A punch combination from Baratheon misses.
Sloppy strikes from Baratheon. Those never looked like landing.
Stephens tries a quick counter leg kick but Baratheon is wise to it.
Baratheon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baratheon lands with an overhand left.
Baratheon's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stephens under the eye.
Baratheon moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Baratheon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Baratheon wants it to stay on the feet.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baratheon as he jumps to the side.
Baratheon throws a leg kick but Stephens checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baratheon jabs at Stephens's body.
Stephens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baratheon.
A nice inside leg kick there by Baratheon. That's going to slow Stephens down.
A right-left combo lands from Baratheon.
Baratheon lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Good standup being displayed there by Baratheon as he connects with a hook.
Stephens walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Baratheon bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stephens's head.
Stephens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baratheon.
Baratheon lands the left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stephens wants to land a leg kick but Baratheon is out of range.
Baratheon goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baratheon jabs Stephens to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Baratheon swinging wildly here.
Despite the aggression on Stephens's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Baratheon moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stephens slips a jab and a cross from Baratheon.
Stephens is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Baratheon as he avoids it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Baratheon.
Stannis Baratheon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baratheon stalks Stephens and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Stephens's face. Stephens staggers backwards, shaken.
Stannis Baratheon is winning the standup battle so far.
Stephens darts in looking for a takedown but Baratheon gets double underhooks and turns Stephens into the cage.
A quick step to the side and Baratheon tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henrik Stephens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Stephens looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baratheon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stephens manages to get himself to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stannis Baratheon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baratheon, 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stannis Baratheon!