PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cracker Jacker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Cracker Jacker has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Jacker
vs
Stephens

190 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
26
153 lbs
2 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cracker Jacker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Samuel Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stephens closes the distance and clinches.
Jacker can't break the clinch.
Stephens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jacker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jacker is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jacker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jacker wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jacker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Stephens drags the fight down to the ground.
Stephens is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Stephens has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Jacker off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jacker goes for a double leg but Stephens avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stephens continues to drive forward.
Jacker misses with a wild combination.
Stephens steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Jacker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacker throws a head kick but Stephens moves out of range.
Jacker tries to clinch there but Stephens circles away.
Stephens swats away the attempt to clinch by Jacker.
Stephens tries for a takedown but Jacker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jacker lands with a nice body kick.
Jacker fails to land the takedown.
Jacker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jacker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cracker Jacker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jacker shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Stephens counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens wants a takedown.
Jacker is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stephens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jacker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Jacker decides to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jacker wants to sweep here but Stephens controlling him for the moment.
Jacker is breathing heavily.
Stephens sitting in guard here, content to control.
It looks like Stephens might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Jacker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stephens gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Jacker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stephens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck for Stephens with that takedown attempt.
Jacker fails with the takedown.
Jacker fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jacker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jacker went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Stephens looks for a takedown but Jacker sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jacker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stephens.
Jacker tries for a takedown but Stephens circles away easily

and Stephens counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stephens.
Jacker drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stephens gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jacker tries to pull guard but Stephens won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stephens manages to break the clinch.
Stephens looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jacker shoots and misses
and Stephens counters with a three punch combo that has Jacker backing up. Jacker nods at Stephens to acknowledge the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Stephens dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stephens shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jacker pinned against the cage. Jacker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jacker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stephens shoots in but Jacker avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jacker appears to be looking for a big counter.
Stephens throws a head kick that misses
and Jacker counters with a stiff right hand.
Jacker dives in and grabs Stephens's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stephens pushes down on Jacker's head and hops out.
Stephens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stephens wants it to stay on the feet.
Jacker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stephens circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cracker Jacker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens stuffs the takedown.
Stephens lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Jacker is rocked!

It looks like Cracker Jacker has been cut.

Stephens fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Jacker sprawls well initially but Stephens persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Oh Jacker is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stephens looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Stephens throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stephens throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Jacker seems to have got his legs back now.
Stephens seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Let's hope that Stephens has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Stephens.
Stephens trying to pass the guard but Jacker defending well.
Stephens is taking a breather. Jacker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stephens connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jacker tries for a takedown but Stephens circles away easily
and Stephens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stephens misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jacker doesn't manage to clinch there - Stephens circles away.
Stephens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jacker tries to clinch there but Stephens circles away.
Stephens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Stephens clinches up against the cage.

Stephens breaks from the clinch.

Stephens rushes Jacker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Stephens pulls guard.

Stephens had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jacker defends it easily.
Jacker throws an elbow that misses. Stephens uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jacker's guard. Nice move by Stephens!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens content to stall in guard here.
Jacker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stephens postures up in Jacker's guard and throws a big left but Jacker blocks it.

Jacker is working an open guard so Stephens takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Stephens gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Stephens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cracker Jacker's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Stephens changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jacker tries to avoid it but Stephens manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jacker to the ground. Jacker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stephens shoots in for a double leg but Jacker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Stephens drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Jacker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stephens's guard.

Stephens is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stephens looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Jacker puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Jacker is keen to just control but Stephens is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jacker scores with a couple of nice shots.

Jacker is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stephens sees it coming and defends easily.
Jacker throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Stephens to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens has Jacker pulled in close to control his posture.
Jacker throws a big elbow that misses.
Jacker wants to control from the top but Stephens keeps moving.
Stephens has Jacker pulled in close to control his posture.
Stephens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stephens, not yet.
Stephens is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stephens throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Jacker pushes down on Stephens's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Stephens wants to get back to his feet.
Stephens is holding on to half guard well.
Stephens tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Jacker has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Stephens really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens taking shots to the head.
Jacker tries to control but Stephens wriggling away.
Stephens really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jacker. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stephens tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jacker is landing with some decent strikes but Stephens is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stephens tries to lock up and control but Jacker gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jacker trying to control but Stephens is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens is working to get back to half guard.
Stephens tries to hold on but Jacker postures up.
Jacker lands a couple of good shots and Stephens has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Jacker is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Stephens is defending well though. Jacker let's go of the attempt for now.
Cracker Jacker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Samuel Stephens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jacker scores with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cracker Jacker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stephens has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Stephens!