PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Elwood Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michel Italien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Stephens
vs
Italien

164 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elwood Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michel Italien!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Italien shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Stephens counter with a right hand.
Italien shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Italien takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice takedown defense from Stephens. No joy for Italien on that attempt.
Elwood Stephens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michel Italien.

Stephens fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Italien to the ground. Stephens is now in Italien's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Italien has Stephens pulled in close to control his posture.
Stephens postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens postures up in Italien's guard and throws a big left but Italien blocks it.
Stephens landing with the ground and pound.

Stephens gets to his feet - Italien follows without any prompting.
Stephens displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Italien.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt.

Italien shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Italien showed some decent athleticism there.

Stephens kicks off Italien and gets to his feet.
Italien tries for a takedown but Stephens sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Italien shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Stephens counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stephens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Italien.
Italien looks winded!

Stephens has Italien pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Stephens pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Italien tumbling to the mat - Stephens dives into Italien's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stephens postures up and lands a big shot to Italien's brow.
Stephens makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Italien has a closed guard, preventing Stephens from standing up.

Italien working for a triangle but Stephens defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stephens accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Italien is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stephens defends well.
Stephens working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stephens accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Italien 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 lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Italien looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stephens might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stephens working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Italien's head.
Stephens working some strikes from top position.
Stephens is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stephens postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stephens in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Italien controls Stephens momentarily but Stephens frees himself.
Stephens scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stephens connects with a couple of short punches.
Stephens could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Stephens is looking to stand up but Italien won't let him.
Stephens is in close to Italien's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stephens scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stephens lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stephens landing with the ground and pound.
Stephens connects with a couple of short punches.

Italien is rocked!
Stephens working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stephens scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Italien is still in real trouble! Can Stephens finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stephens scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stephens's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stephens is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stephens postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stephens loads up on a big left hand. Italien felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Stephens looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Italien can't hide his disappointment, as Stephens celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Elwood Stephens!