PBP Commentary

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

Stephens
vs
Kjaber

160 cm
20
157 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darwin Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Olof Kjaber!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, David Schapiro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kjaber decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Kjaber moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Stephens.
Stephens tries to buck Kjaber off but Kjaber is having none of it.
Stephens is working hard here to advance position.
Kjaber controls the position from side control.

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

Kjaber tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens is being controlled here.
Stephens is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kjaber thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

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

Kjaber thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kjaber tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kjaber has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Stephens regains half guard.

Stephens actively working from the bottom here.
Stephens works his way to full guard. Good work.

Stephens had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kjaber defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Stephens looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stephens might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kjaber distracts Stephens with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kjaber landing with the ground and pound.

Stephens looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stephens is breathing heavily.
Kjaber tries to free his leg and advance position but Stephens is retaining full guard.
Kjaber scoring with some ground and pound.

Stephens is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Kjaber rolls with it to try and escape but Stephens cranks on the arm and Kjaber is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Darwin Stephens!
Darwin Stephens decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.