PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Norman Stebson (ranked 1169 p4p, 132 weight class) and Joe Foreman (ranked 851 p4p, 92 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stebson
vs
Foreman

189 cm
23
235 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

190 cm
20
235 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Norman Stebson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Foreman !
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stebson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Joe Foreman has been cut.

Stebson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Foreman sprawls well initially but Stebson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Foreman is defending against the submission attempts here by Stebson.
Stebson controlling the pace.

Stebson seems to be working for a kimura but Foreman defends the submission attempt.

Stebson seems to be working for a kimura but Foreman defends the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, if Stebson 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stebson is working for a kimura but Foreman is defending it quite comfortably.
Stebson wants to free his trapped foot but Foreman is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Stebson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Foreman has managed to free his arm - good work.

Stebson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Stebson is working for a kimura but Foreman is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stebson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Foreman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Foreman wants to control but Stebson is keeping busy.
Foreman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stebson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stebson is trying to control the action in half guard but Foreman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Stebson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Foreman is refusing to be controlled, as Stebson sits in half guard.
Stebson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stebson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Stebson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Foreman is now in Stebson's guard. A big mistake from Stebson there, giving up the dominant position!

Stebson working for a triangle but Foreman defends it easily.

Stebson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Foreman defends well.

Stebson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Foreman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Foreman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Foreman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stebson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Foreman has managed to get both his arms back between Stebson's legs - danger averted.
Stebson keeping moving, preventing Foreman from controlling successfully.
Foreman being controlled here momentarily.

Stebson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Foreman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Stebson looking for a guillotine here but Foreman defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stebson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norman Stebson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Foreman 's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stebson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Foreman under the eye.
Foreman misses with a hook.
Stebson shoots for a double leg takedown but Foreman sprawls well. He's pushed Stebson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Foreman gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Foreman lands a nice shot to the body.
Stebson misses with a right hand
and Foreman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Norman Stebson has been cut.
Foreman stuffs the takedown attempt from Stebson. Stebson gets slowly back to his feet.
Foreman now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stebson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Foreman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stebson throws a front kick aimed at Foreman 's knee but Foreman avoids it well.
Stebson moves out of range as Foreman strikes.
Stebson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foreman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stebson.
Stebson misses with a hook.
Stebson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Foreman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Norman Stebson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stebson swings widly with a right hand

and Foreman counters with a nice right hand that sends Stebson toppling to the canvas! Stebson scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Foreman finish him?!
Foreman slips under a jab from Stebson.
Stebson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Foreman .
Stebson avoids the body shot from Foreman .
Joe Foreman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Foreman misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Foreman takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Foreman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Foreman ducks under a wild hook from Stebson.

Stebson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Foreman is trying to keep Stebson in close.
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.
Stebson wants to pass the guard but Foreman is keeping the position.
Stebson wants to control from the top but Foreman keeps moving.
Stebson passes into half guard.
Stebson content to control rather than advance.
Stebson trying to control from half guard but Foreman is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stebson is pressing down on Foreman 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Foreman is holding on for now.
Stebson wants to control but Foreman is keeping him busy.
Foreman is trying is best to control the position here.
Stebson works his way into side control.

Stebson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Stebson advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stebson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Foreman is surviving well by controlling Stebson's body position as best he can.
Stebson wants to control the pace but Foreman is squirming around nicely.

Stebson looking for a guillotine from mount but Foreman is having none of it.
Stebson controlling the position easily from mount.
Stebson wants to take his opponent's back but Foreman doesn't allow it.
Foreman is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joe Foreman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Stebson lands a head kick. Foreman smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Stebson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good standup being displayed there by Stebson as he connects with a hook.
Foreman loads up on a big right hand but Stebson slips the punch.

Stebson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice left hand lands by Foreman .
Stebson digs a right hand underneath Foreman 's ribcage. Foreman let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A right hook to the body lands for Stebson.
Foreman effectively controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stebson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Foreman pulls his leg out and moves away.
Foreman misses the jab.
Stebson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Foreman can do to turn this around?
Stebson takes a swing at Foreman 's ribcage but misses.
Stebson lands a nice shot that snaps Foreman 's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stebson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Stebson.

Foreman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stebson passes into half guard.
Foreman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Foreman is defending against the submission attempts here by Stebson.
Foreman is in trouble now - Stebson has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stebson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Foreman is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Foreman and Stebson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Stebson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Stebson working away.
Stebson trying to control the action but Foreman is working from the bottom.
Foreman tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Stebson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foreman gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Foreman can do anything to dispel that myth.

Stebson looking for a guillotine from mount but Foreman is having none of it.
Foreman has given up his back.
Stebson controls the action.
Stebson wants to control but Foreman manages to buck him off and is now in Stebson's guard! Nice work there by Foreman !

Stebson working for a triangle but Foreman defends it easily.
Foreman wants to stand but Stebson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stebson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Foreman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Foreman is looking to stand up but Stebson won't let him.

Stebson working for a triangle but Foreman defends it easily.
Stebson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stebson is looking for a triangle but Foreman pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Norman Stebson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stebson 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Norman Stebson!
During a confident post fight interview, Norman Stebson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.