PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Scarmozzino (ranked 25346 p4p, 750 weight class) and Deshawn Stevenson (ranked 7096 p4p, 634 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Scarmozzino
vs
Stevenson

175 cm
23
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

187 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xavier Scarmozzino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Deshawn Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Scarmozzino has his takedown stuffed
and Stevenson counters with a series of strikes. Scarmozzino will be more careful next time no doubt.
Scarmozzino scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Stevenson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stevenson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Scarmozzino ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stevenson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Scarmozzino as he jumps to the side.

Stevenson clinches with his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Scarmozzino escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stevenson tries to clinch but Scarmozzino is having none of it.
Scarmozzino appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scarmozzino throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but Scarmozzino shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Xavier Scarmozzino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deshawn Stevenson.

Scarmozzino throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stevenson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Scarmozzino is in Stevenson's guard.
Stevenson is looking to stand back up but Scarmozzino counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Stevenson.

Scarmozzino tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stevenson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Scarmozzino content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Scarmozzino not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevenson wants to control but Scarmozzino is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Scarmozzino stalling.
Stevenson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarmozzino seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Scarmozzino is looking to stall here but Stevenson recovers full guard.
We've been informed that Stevenson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Scarmozzino gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

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.

Stevenson moves into the clinch successfully.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Stevenson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Scarmozzino.

Stevenson decides to pull guard.
Stevenson keeping moving, preventing Scarmozzino from controlling successfully.
Scarmozzino preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scarmozzino throws a big elbow that misses.

Scarmozzino gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Stevenson lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Deshawn Stevenson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Scarmozzino wants to clinch
and Stevenson counters with a nice body shot.
Scarmozzino changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stevenson tries to avoid it but Scarmozzino manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stevenson to the ground. Stevenson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Scarmozzino pushes Stevenson up against the cage in a clinch.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Scarmozzino just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stevenson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stevenson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Scarmozzino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Scarmozzino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Scarmozzino looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevenson is fending him off so far but Scarmozzino persists. Nope, Stevenson circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Scarmozzino. 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.

Stevenson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Scarmozzino escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Scarmozzino stuffs the takedown attempt from Stevenson. Stevenson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Scarmozzino tries to avoid it but Stevenson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Scarmozzino to the ground. Scarmozzino escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Scarmozzino drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stevenson sprawls and moves away.
Deshawn Stevenson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stevenson leaves Scarmozzino with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Scarmozzino. No joy for Stevenson on that attempt.
Scarmozzino dives in for a single leg takedown but Stevenson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stevenson throws out a counter right but Scarmozzino avoids it with no problem.
Scarmozzino takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stevenson doesn't manage to clinch there - Scarmozzino circles away.
Scarmozzino is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Scarmozzino looks for a takedown but Stevenson sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevenson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Scarmozzino doesn't seem bothered though.
Scarmozzino just misses with a punch to the body.

Stevenson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Scarmozzino is trying to push Stevenson away but Stevenson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scarmozzino tries to pull guard but Stevenson holds him up against the cage and eventually Scarmozzino drops back down to his feet.
Scarmozzino jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stevenson walks away with a smile on his face. Scarmozzino gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sloppy strikes from Stevenson. Those never looked like landing.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Deshawn Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Scarmozzino leaves Stevenson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Xavier Scarmozzino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Scarmozzino uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevenson.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
Stevenson wants to clinch.
Scarmozzino went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarmozzino stuffs the takedown.
Scarmozzino shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevenson sprawls well. Stevenson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Scarmozzino gets slowly back to his feet.
Stevenson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stevenson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Scarmozzino rather than just go for the knockout.

Scarmozzino closes the distance and clinches.
Stevenson goes for a takedown attempt but Scarmozzino pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stevenson moves in looking to clinch but Scarmozzino pushes him off.
Scarmozzino shoots in looking for a takedown but Stevenson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Scarmozzino's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Scarmozzino lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Scarmozzino looks for a takedown but Stevenson sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scarmozzino fails to land the takedown.
Stevenson swats away the attempt to clinch by Scarmozzino.
Stevenson is looking to clinch.
Stevenson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stevenson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Scarmozzino tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stevenson wants to clinch.
Stevenson throws a series of punches but Scarmozzino avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deshawn Stevenson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Scarmozzino scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Stevenson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Scarmozzino moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Scarmozzino lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stevenson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stevenson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Stevenson tries to clinch up but Scarmozzino circles away and keeps his distance.
Scarmozzino shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevenson as he jumps to the side.
Stevenson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Scarmozzino avoids it really well and circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Stevenson or perhaps it was just good defense by Scarmozzino, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stevenson wants it to stay on the feet.
Stevenson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Scarmozzino sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stevenson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Scarmozzino instigates a clinch.
Scarmozzino tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stevenson avoids it.
Scarmozzino drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stevenson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Scarmozzino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevenson is pressed up against the cage. Scarmozzino has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stevenson down to the mat. Stevenson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Scarmozzino shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stevenson but Stevenson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stevenson stuffs the takedown attempt from Scarmozzino. Scarmozzino gets slowly back to his feet.
Stevenson scores with the left hand. Scarmozzino knows he should have avoided that one.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Stevenson breaks from the clinch.
Stevenson lands with a straight right. Scarmozzino didn't see that one coming.

Scarmozzino is rocked!
Stevenson fires a straight punch through the middle that cracks Scarmozzino square on the jaw! Damn, Scarmozzino is out cold on his feet and topples face first to the canvas! Wow, I haven't seen a knockout that brutal in a long time!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Deshawn Stevenson!