PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hong Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diep Thanh Vu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hong Stephenson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stephenson
vs
Thanh Vu

184 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hong Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Diep Thanh Vu!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Stephenson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stephenson dips to his left and cracks Thanh Vu with an uppercut!

Stephenson clinches up with Thanh Vu and pushes him back against the cage.
Stephenson working Thanh Vu over with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thanh Vu prevents a body shot from Stephenson.

Thanh Vu has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Stephenson is trying to keep an underhook but Thanh Vu manages to get the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Thanh Vu there.
Thanh Vu scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Stephenson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Thanh Vu's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Thanh Vu's back!
Thanh Vu is trying to get back to his feet but Stephenson has full control of the position and if anything, Thanh Vu has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Thanh Vu is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Stephenson is controlling the position but Thanh Vu somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson wants to stand up but Thanh Vu has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Stephenson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Hong Stephenson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stephenson moves in looking to clinch but Thanh Vu pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stephenson has closed the distance and engaged Thanh Vu in a clinch.

Thanh Vu is trying to trip Stephenson. He has hold of a leg but Stephenson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Thanh Vu persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Stephenson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stephenson is really struggling to control Thanh Vu but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Stephenson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thanh Vu scoring with some ground and pound.
Stephenson controls Thanh Vu momentarily but Thanh Vu frees himself.
Thanh Vu with a nice head shot there.
Stephenson trying to control the position.
Thanh Vu won't allow Stephenson to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thanh Vu is working Stephenson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Stephenson is rocked!
Thanh Vu postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Stephenson covers up, he's hurt! Thanh Vu keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Thanh Vu and the ref steps in to end the fight! Thanh Vu can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Diep Thanh Vu!