PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lester Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Warren Daren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Warren Daren has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stephenson
vs
Daren

153 cm
23
279 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

193 cm
22
250 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lester Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Warren Daren!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Eliza Hachem and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stephenson gets caught flat footed, as Daren shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Stephenson wriggles free and stands up.

Daren shoots in and bounces Stephenson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stephenson wants to get back to his feet but Daren is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Stephenson is looking to stand back up but Daren counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Stephenson.
Stephenson wants to get back to his feet.
Daren wants to pass to mount but Stephenson is defending the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Daren decides to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stephenson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stephenson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Stephenson pulls Daren into guard.
Daren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Daren thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stephenson looking for a sweep. Not yet Stephenson, not yet.
Stephenson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stephenson keeping full guard, as Daren tries to pass.

Daren is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daren lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stephenson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Daren is controlling him.

Daren thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Daren wants to pass the guard but Stephenson is keeping the position.

Daren drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Daren jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Daren forces his way into half guard.
Stephenson is looking for a sweep. Daren is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Daren looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Daren is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stephenson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Daren looks winded!
Daren prevents Stephenson from standing back up.

Daren is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Stephenson kicks off Daren and gets to his feet.

Daren shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stephenson is trying to defend but Daren finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Daren is looking to advance position but Stephenson won't allow it.
Stephenson is looking for a sweep. Daren is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Daren seems to be looking for submissions.
Daren wants to stand up but Stephenson is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Daren is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Warren Daren will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A kick lands to the mid section there for Stephenson.

Daren shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Daren is trying to work for a kimura but Stephenson is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Daren looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Daren is working away from the top position though.
Stephenson tries to kick Daren off but Daren keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Daren is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stephenson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Daren.

Daren is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stephenson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Daren.
Daren is breathing heavily.

Daren looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Daren keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Stephenson wants to get back to his feet.

Daren is looking for a kimura here.

Daren is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stephenson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daren trying to pass the guard but Stephenson defending well.
Stephenson pushes Daren off looking to stand but Daren dives back in and keeps control.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Daren. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Daren is working for a submission of some sort.
Stephenson missing with punches from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Daren looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Stephenson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Daren to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Daren is controlling him.
Daren trying to control the position from guard on top but Stephenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stephenson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stephenson keeping full guard, as Daren tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Daren tries to stand but Stephenson is controlling from the bottom.
Warren Daren has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stephenson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Daren's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Warren Daren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Daren scores with a takedown into Stephenson's guard.
Daren looking to pass the guard.
Daren wants to control from the top but Stephenson keeps moving.
Daren sitting in guard here, content to control.
Daren trying to control but Stephenson is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephenson working a defensive guard but Daren manages to pass into side control anyway.
Daren working away.
Stephenson striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Daren asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Daren creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Daren goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Stephenson rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Daren's guard! Nice work there by Stephenson!
Stephenson throwing strikes but missing.

Daren throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Daren takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stephenson stands up and waves to Daren to follow him.

Daren is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stephenson's half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Daren seems to be looking for submissions.
Stephenson wants to get back to full guard.

Daren is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stephenson defends it well.
Stephenson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson pushes Daren off looking to stand but Daren dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Daren is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stephenson is just riding it out for now. Daren eventually gives up the hold.
Stephenson gets full guard.
Stephenson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Stephenson is trying to control the position but Daren postures up.
Daren wants to control from the top but Stephenson keeps moving.
Stephenson trying to keep a closed guard but Daren is proving a slippery customer.
Daren passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stephenson won't allow Daren to pass to mount.
Daren is looking to take a break and control but Stephenson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Daren tries to stand and escape but Stephenson is controlling the position.

Daren looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Daren is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stephenson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lester Stephenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Warren Daren is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stephenson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Warren Daren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Daren winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Warren Daren!