PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jake Stevens (ranked 7316 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeffery Kenderson (ranked 5972 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevens comes into the arena with Johnny Nash - "Stir It Up" blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stevens
vs
Kenderson

175 cm
29
147 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
145 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jake Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jeffery Kenderson!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kenderson. Stevens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kenderson throws a body kick that misses.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kenderson as he jumps to the side.
Jake Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens shoots for a takedown but Kenderson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stevens throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stevens tries for a takedown but Kenderson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens tries for a takedown but Kenderson circles away easily

and Kenderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Stevens manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kenderson lands a nice hook to Stevens's body. Stevens takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown but Kenderson shows good takedown defense.
Kenderson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stevens.

Stevens shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kenderson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevens content to stall in guard here.
Kenderson looking to control.

Kenderson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Kenderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kenderson is looking for a triangle but Stevens pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kenderson wants to sweep but no luck.

Kenderson looking for a guillotine here but Stevens defends easily.
Stevens lands a couple of elbows.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Kenderson keeps moving.
Kenderson trying to keep a closed guard but Stevens is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Kenderson keeps moving.
Stevens trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kenderson's guard.
Kenderson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Kenderson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stevens defends it easily.
Kenderson is trying to keep Stevens in close.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stevens goes for a double leg but Kenderson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kenderson continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Stevens shoots in looking for a takedown. Kenderson tries to sprawl out of it but Stevens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kenderson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kenderson feints the counter takedown.
Stevens closes the distance and clinches up with Kenderson, looking for a takedown. Stevens pushes Kenderson against the cage but Kenderson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kenderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've been informed that Kenderson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Stevens feints and as Kenderson raises his hands in defense, Stevens changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kenderson looking for a sweep. Not yet Kenderson, not yet.
Kenderson being controlled here, momentarily.

Kenderson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kenderson looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jake Stevens will probably get the nod.
That's time! Stevens's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kenderson misses the shot to the body.
Stevens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kenderson.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt - Kenderson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stevens tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kenderson swivels and escapes.
Stevens misses with a head kick.
A big right from Kenderson misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens shoots and misses

and Kenderson counters with a single leg into guard. Stevens didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Kenderson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenderson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kenderson slips nicely into half guard.
Kenderson is trying to control. Stevens wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Stevens looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kenderson trying to control from half guard but Stevens is working away.

Kenderson is working for a kimura but Stevens is defending it quite comfortably.
Kenderson wants to pass to mount but Stevens is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenderson keeps trying to improve his position.
Stevens wants to control but Kenderson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Kenderson seems to be looking for submissions.
Kenderson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Kenderson working for a guillotine from mount but Stevens is in no mood to give up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kenderson goes for an armbar but Stevens turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Stevens.
Kenderson is trying to keep Stevens in close.
Stevens connects with a couple of short punches.
Kenderson keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

Kenderson looking for a guillotine here but Stevens defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kenderson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevens is one step ahead there.

Kenderson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stevens doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stevens manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stevens is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kenderson is looking for a triangle but Stevens pushes his legs off easily.
Stevens is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffery Kenderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Stevens closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kenderson's guard.
Kenderson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevens manages to get himself to full guard.

Stevens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stevens, not yet.
Stevens preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kenderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.
Stevens has his hands on Kenderson's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kenderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kenderson looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens is controlling Kenderson's posture.

Kenderson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stevens manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kenderson has Stevens in his guard.

Stevens trying to control but Kenderson is working from the bottom.
Stevens is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kenderson trying to keep a closed guard but Stevens is proving a slippery customer.
Kenderson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Kenderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens postures up.
Stevens cracks Kenderson with a solid left hand.
Stevens working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Kenderson has his foot on Stevens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stevens works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens controlling from the top position.
Stevens lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kenderson 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.
Stevens looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt - Kenderson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kenderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

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.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Kenderson.
Kenderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stevens with a poor takedown

so Kenderson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kenderson is standing up over Stevens. Stevens looks to escape but Kenderson dives into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stevens manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kenderson's best efforts.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stevens is looking to control Kenderson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stevens avoid being mounted?
Kenderson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stevens does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jake Stevens.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:30

The fight is ruled a draw!