PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toney Bowman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Bowman
vs
Stevens

152 cm
25
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
161 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Toney Bowman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Elvis Blanc and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bowman tries to keep at a distance but Stevens has taken the fight into the clinch.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Stevens closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bowman really is a fat lump.
Bowman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stevens throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bowman wants to break free but Stevens has control.
Stevens landing knees to the head.

It looks like Toney Bowman has been cut.
Bowman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stevens is defending well for now.
Bowman wants to break free but Stevens has control.

Bowman breaks from the clinch.

Stevens closes the distance and pushes Bowman back into the cage.

Bowman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stevens has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bowman avoids the elbow strike from Stevens, against the cage.

Bowman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bowman lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stevens at a distance.

Stevens closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens lands a nice elbow.
Stevens wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bowman lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stevens with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bowman avoiding damage as Stevens throws knees to the body.

Bowman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stevens has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Bowman is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Stevens shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bowman eats them both and turns towards Stevens to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Stevens has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bowman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ryan Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stevens tries to sprawl but Bowman drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bowman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bowman really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
Stevens tries to kick Bowman off but Bowman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Bowman is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stevens doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bowman.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bowman in particular looking to stall.
Stevens tries to kick Bowman off but Bowman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bowman sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bowman seems to be working for a kimura but Stevens defends the submission attempt.
Bowman stops Stevens from getting back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bowman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Bowman is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Stevens looks like he's trying to stand up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bowman lands a nice short elbow.
Bowman stops Stevens from getting back to his feet.

Bowman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stevens has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stevens tries to kick Bowman off but Bowman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Bowman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Bowman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stevens sees it coming and defends easily.
Stevens tries to kick Bowman off but Bowman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four 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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Stevens closes the distance and clinches.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bowman.
Bowman tries to break the clinch but Stevens is controlling the position.
Stevens throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bowman blocks it with crossed arms.

Bowman breaks the clinch.

Stevens gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stevens keeps control of Bowman as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bowman is looking to break free of the clinch but Stevens has double underhooks.
Stevens taking a breather.
Bowman is trying to force a seperation but Stevens has the dominant position.

Bowman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stevens 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.

A close round but Ryan Stevens will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Toney Bowman's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stevens closes the distance and clinches.
Stevens with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stevens looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stevens tries to circle away but Bowman has him pinned against the cage.

Bowman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stevens drives through and clinches with Bowman against the cage.
Bowman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bowman tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stevens avoids it.
Stevens comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Bowman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bowman tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Stevens manages to circle out of the way.

Stevens darts in and clinches Bowman up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Bowman's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stevens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bowman.
Stevens looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stevens managing to block the knees to the body from Bowman.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Stevens pushes Bowman up against the cage in a clinch.
Stevens using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bowman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stevens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens tries a knee to the head but Bowman blocks it.

Bowman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stevens clinches.
Stevens lands an elbow that stopped Bowman in his tracks for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Bowman's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stevens instigates a clinch.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stevens has managed to clinch.

Bowman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Bowman tries to keep at a distance but Stevens has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bowman keeps control of Stevens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bowman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Bowman manages to break the clinch.

Stevens rushes Bowman and presses him up against the cage.
Bowman wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stevens has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bowman pushes Stevens back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Stevens is trying to force a seperation but Bowman has the dominant position.

Bowman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Stevens gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stevens working Bowman over with knees to the body.

Bowman breaks the clinch.

Stevens has managed to clinch.

Stevens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stevens closes the distance and pushes Bowman back into the cage.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Stevens missing with knees to the body.
Bowman misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Stevens.
Stevens prevents a body shot from Bowman.
Stevens keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bowman's efforts to push away.

Bowman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stevens fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bowman, pushing him back against the cage.
Stevens misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowman missing with knees to the body.
Bowman avoids the elbow strike from Stevens, against the cage.
Stevens misses with a knee to the head.
Stevens pushes off an throws an elbow but Bowman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Stevens prevents Bowman from breaking the clinch.
Stevens tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bowman avoids it.
Stevens is trying to break the clinch but Bowman has him pressed against the cage.
Stevens with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bowman is trying to break free.
Bowman wants to break the clinch but can't.

Bowman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stevens rushes Bowman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bowman tries to circle away but Stevens has him pinned against the cage.

Bowman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stevens has Bowman up against the cage in a clinch.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stevens closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens misses with a knee to the head.

Bowman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stevens gets a clinch.
Stevens avoiding damage as Bowman throws knees to the body.
Stevens missing with knees to the body.

Bowman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stevens throws a right and a left that Bowman avoids nicely.
Bowman throws a quick counter kick to the body but Stevens avoids it.
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!
Bowman throws a body kick that misses.
Stevens throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Stevens moves into range and clinches up with Bowman.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Toney Bowman is winning the standup battle so far.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Stevens wants to get back to striking at distance but Bowman won't allow it.
Bowman avoiding damage as Stevens throws knees to the body.
Bowman blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Stevens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Toney Bowman's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stevens swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Bowman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Bowman won't allow Stevens to get back to his feet.
Bowman trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Bowman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stevens really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bowman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stevens can't keep his opponent in guard - Bowman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet.
Toney Bowman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nice strikes from Bowman there.

Bowman stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Bowman gets the takedown into side control.

Stevens sneaks out the side door and pushes Bowman away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Stevens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stevens rushes Bowman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bowman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens lands a good knee to the midsection. Bowman won't want to take too many of those.
Bowman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stevens prevents Bowman from breaking the clinch.
Stevens has had enough of the clinch but Bowman keeps him there for the moment.
Bowman digs a right hand into Stevens's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Stevens's gas tank.

Bowman breaks from the clinch.
Toney Bowman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stevens rushes Bowman and presses him up against the cage.
Bowman avoiding damage as Stevens throws knees to the body.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stevens has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stevens tries a knee to the head but Bowman blocks it.
Bowman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stevens trying to stall but Bowman improves his position.
Stevens landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Bowman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stevens fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bowman, pushing him back against the cage.
Bowman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.

Bowman breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevens takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bowman manages to break the clinch.

Stevens has closed the distance and engaged Bowman in a clinch.
Bowman trying to land knees to the body.
Stevens with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stevens closes the distance and clinches.
Stevens looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Bowman breaks the clinch.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses.
Some wild striking there from Bowman.

Stevens moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stevens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bowman.
A left hand lands to the body for Bowman.
Stevens keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bowman's efforts to push away.
Bowman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stevens is defending well for now.
Stevens on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ryan Stevens seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stevens gets a clinch.
Stevens lands a damaging elbow.
Bowman takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bowman is trying to push Stevens away but Stevens has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bowman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stevens misses with an elbow over the top.
Bowman is trying to break the clinch but Stevens has him pressed against the cage.
Stevens scores with a knee to the head.

Bowman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bowman tries to keep at a distance but Stevens has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stevens pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Stevens trying to land knees to the body.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
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!
Bowman wants to break free but Stevens has control.
Stevens is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Bowman throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stevenss head.
Stevens unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Bowman dodges an elbow strike from Stevens.

Bowman breaks from the clinch.
Stevens swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bowman counters by moving into the clinch.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Toney Bowman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryan Stevens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Stevens closes the distance and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Stevens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stevens 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Stevens!