PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Emilio Stephenson (ranked 23066 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Gregoritsch (ranked 5428 p4p, 408 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stephenson
vs
Gregoritsch

202 cm
26
215 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

197 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Emilio Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leon Gregoritsch!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, David Schapiro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gregoritsch fakes the leg kick and cracks Stephenson in the body.
A head kick by Gregoritsch misses

and Stephenson counters by moving into the clinch.
Stephenson pressing his opponent against the cage.

Stephenson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Stephenson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gregoritsch has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stephenson has managed to get both his arms back between Gregoritsch's legs - danger averted.
Gregoritsch thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Gregoritsch is trying to control the position but Stephenson postures up.
Stephenson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gregoritsch trying to keep a closed guard but Stephenson is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gregoritsch has momentary wrist control but Stephenson slips an elbow through the middle.
Gregoritsch being controlled here, momentarily.

Gregoritsch is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregoritsch wants a takedown.

Stephenson manages to pull guard.
Gregoritsch sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gregoritsch postures up in Stephenson's guard and throws a big left but Stephenson blocks it.
Gregoritsch is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Gregoritsch from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gregoritsch looking to sit in guard and control but Stephenson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stephenson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gregoritsch is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gregoritsch wants to sweep here but Stephenson controlling him for the moment.
Stephenson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gregoritsch working a defensive guard here.
Stephenson throws a big elbow that misses.

Stephenson stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregoritsch shoots in but Stephenson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stephenson misses with an uppercut.

Gregoritsch takes the fight into the clinch.
Gregoritsch is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stephenson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gregoritsch wants to take the fight to the mat but Stephenson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Emilio Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Gregoritsch.
Gregoritsch displaying some good clinch control by pressing Stephenson up against the cage.
Stephenson stalling in the clinch but Gregoritsch improves position.
Stephenson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gregoritsch pulls him back up using the underhooks.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gregoritsch tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stephenson defends well and Gregoritsch ends up having to push Stephenson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Stephenson as Gregoritsch shoots in.
Gregoritsch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stephenson as he jumps to the side.
Gregoritsch looks winded!
Gregoritsch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stephenson lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Gregoritsch instigates a clinch.
Stephenson is pushing Gregoritsch up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Stephenson is looking for a takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stephenson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gregoritsch fails to pull guard.

Stephenson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gregoritsch can't fight it off and eventually Stephenson manages to take the fight to the floor. Gregoritsch looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Stephenson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stephenson feints and as Gregoritsch raises his hands in defense, Stephenson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Gregoritsch manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Stephenson just leaning against Gregoritsch, taking a breather.
Stephenson misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Stephenson successfully pulls guard.

Gregoritsch is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stephenson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stephenson has escaped and now he's on top!

Gregoritsch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stephenson.
Gregoritsch working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stephenson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gregoritsch's guard.
Stephenson is looking to work some ground and pound but Gregoritsch has wrist control.
Stephenson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gregoritsch is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stephenson stays in close to Gregoritsch's body and controls the position.
Stephenson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two 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.

Gregoritsch is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stephenson is aware though and is defending well.
Gregoritsch has a closed guard, preventing Stephenson from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gregoritsch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stephenson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stephenson lands a couple of digs.
Stephenson working some strikes from top position.
Stephenson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gregoritsch can do to turn this around?
Stephenson throws a big elbow that misses.
Stephenson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stephenson wanted to stand there but Gregoritsch had control of the position.
Gregoritsch working a defensive guard but Stephenson passes into half guard.
Gregoritsch slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gregoritsch is breathing heavily.
Gregoritsch is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gregoritsch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stephenson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gregoritsch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stephenson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gregoritsch tries for a takedown but Stephenson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Gregoritsch gets caught napping as Stephenson dives in and scores a takedown. Gregoritsch manages to retain guard.

Stephenson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gregoritsch, up you get!
Gregoritsch fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gregoritsch closes the distance and clinches.

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

Gregoritsch closes the distance and clinches.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gregoritsch is looking to take this one to the mat.
Emilio Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Gregoritsch.
Stephenson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gregoritsch after a bit of a struggle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephenson wants a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Stephenson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gregoritsch shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stephenson pinned against the cage. Stephenson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stephenson throws a quick counter kick to the body but Gregoritsch avoids it.
Gregoritsch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stephenson's waist but Stephenson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gregoritsch off to one side.

Gregoritsch moves into the clinch successfully.
Gregoritsch jumps guard but Stephenson stands there with Gregoritsch around his waist. Gregoritsch gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Emilio Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Gregoritsch.
Gregoritsch looking to throw knees to the head but Stephenson is blocking nicely.
Stephenson is trying to pull guard but Gregoritsch turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephenson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Gregoritsch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stephenson fails to pull guard.
Stephenson is trying to drag Gregoritsch to the mat but Gregoritsch just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stephenson is trying to force a seperation but Gregoritsch has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson prevents the takedown attempt.
Stephenson tries for a takedown but Gregoritsch manages to get underhooks.
Gregoritsch is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stephenson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Stephenson drags the fight down to the ground.
Gregoritsch wants to control from the top but Stephenson keeps moving.

Stephenson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Gregoritsch has passed into half guard!

Stephenson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson is staying active underneath Gregoritsch, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gregoritsch missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stephenson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gregoritsch.
Gregoritsch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stephenson keeps working.
Gregoritsch not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson regains full guard. Nicely done.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stephenson is on top in guard.

Stephenson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stephenson wants to control from the top but Gregoritsch keeps moving.
Stephenson tries to stand but Gregoritsch is controlling from the bottom.
Gregoritsch keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.

That's four 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.
Stephenson throws a strike but Gregoritsch rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gregoritsch wants to stand and escape but instead Stephenson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Gregoritsch looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stephenson trying to control but Gregoritsch is working from the bottom.
Stephenson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Stephenson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stephenson wants to control from the top but Gregoritsch keeps moving.
Leon Gregoritsch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Emilio Stephenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Stephenson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gregoritsch has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stephenson has managed to get both his arms back between Gregoritsch's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emilio Stephenson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stephenson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emilio Stephenson!