PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Harold Stephenson (ranked 2623 p4p, 285 weight class) and Chicken Destroyer (ranked 3159 p4p, 331 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Stephenson
vs
Destroyer

180 cm
22
165 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

170 cm
22
167 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Harold Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chicken Destroyer!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Ben Watson and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Destroyer swats away the attempt to clinch by Stephenson.
Destroyer feints the counter takedown.
Destroyer throws a body shot but no joy.
Destroyer stuffs the takedown.
Stephenson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Destroyer feints the counter takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Destroyer as Stephenson shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Stephenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Destroyer stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Stephenson darts in looking for a takedown but Destroyer gets double underhooks and turns Stephenson into the cage.
Destroyer tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Destroyer gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Stephenson to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Destroyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Destroyer wants to sweep here but Stephenson controlling him for the moment.

Stephenson drops back looking for a leg! Destroyer is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Destroyer manages to kick Stephenson off! Stephenson jumps back into Destroyer's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Destroyer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stephenson is one step ahead there.
Stephenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Destroyer is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Destroyer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stephenson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stephenson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stephenson tries to free his leg and advance position but Destroyer is retaining full guard.
Stephenson passes Destroyer's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Destroyer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Destroyer won't allow Stephenson to pass to mount.
Destroyer gets back to full guard.
Stephenson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Stephenson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stephenson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Destroyer looking for a sweep. Not yet Destroyer, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stephenson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Destroyer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Destroyer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Destroyer working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

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

Destroyer seems to be looking for submissions.
Stephenson is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Doherty's Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Stephenson trying to hold on to Destroyer's head to control him but Destroyer postures up.

Destroyer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer prevents Stephenson from improving his position.
Stephenson moves into full guard.
Destroyer pushing down on Stephenson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Destroyer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Destroyer is nestled in close to Stephenson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Destroyer looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Destroyer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stephenson's head.
Destroyer prevents Stephenson from improving his position.
Stephenson is pressing down on Destroyer's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer stopping the sweep attempt from Stephenson.
Stephenson is trying to keep Destroyer in close.
Stephenson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Destroyer is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Stephenson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Destroyer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Destroyer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Destroyer wants to pass the guard but Stephenson is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stephenson wants to sweep but no luck.
Destroyer wants to pass the guard but Stephenson is keeping the position.
Destroyer wants to control from the top but Stephenson keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chicken Destroyer dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stephenson fails to land the takedown.
Stephenson shoots in for a takedown but Destroyer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Harold Stephenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stephenson misses with a double jab.

Destroyer clinches up with Stephenson and pushes him back against the cage.
Destroyer lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stephenson backwards.
Destroyer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Destroyer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stephenson tries for a takedown but Destroyer manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Stephenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Destroyer misses with a hook from the clinch.
Destroyer lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stephenson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Destroyer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephenson fails with a takedown attempt.
Destroyer throws an overhand right that lands on Stephenson's shoulder, as Stephenson tries to avoid the shot.
Stephenson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Destroyer's waist but Destroyer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stephenson off to one side.
Destroyer feints and then cracks Stephenson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stephenson down.
Stephenson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destroyer getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Destroyer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Destroyer connects with a crisp jab.

Destroyer clinches with his opponent.
Destroyer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stephenson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Destroyer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Destroyer lands a left hand.
Stephenson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Destroyer throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stephensons head.
Destroyer trying to land knees to the body.
Stephenson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Destroyer has a couple of punches blocked by Stephenson.
Destroyer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Destroyer prevents the takedown attempt.
Destroyer throws an elbow that misses.
Destroyer scores with a nice hook to the head.
Destroyer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Destroyer gets underhooks to prevent Stephenson's takedown attempt.
Destroyer lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stephenson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Destroyer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stephenson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Destroyer lands with a left to the head.
Destroyer scores with a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stephenson.
Destroyer prevents a takedown attempt there.
Destroyer lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stephenson is trying to drag Destroyer to the mat but Destroyer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Destroyer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Chicken Destroyer seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Destroyer tries a knee to the head but Stephenson blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stephenson.
Destroyer looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Destroyer throws an elbow but misses.
Stephenson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Destroyer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Stephenson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Destroyer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A shot in the inside from Destroyer.
Stephenson looking for a takedown.
Stephenson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Destroyer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stephenson tries to clinch there but Destroyer circles away.
Stephenson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Destroyer as he jumps to the side.
Harold Stephenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Destroyer rushes Stephenson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stephenson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Destroyer fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Stephenson.
Destroyer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Destroyer moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Destroyer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stephenson looks for a takedown but Destroyer sprawls well.
Destroyer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Destroyer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stephenson moves away.
Stephenson is looking to counter punch.
Stephenson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Destroyer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Destroyer slips a jab and a cross from Stephenson.

Destroyer drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Destroyer scoring with punches to the head and body.
Destroyer is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Destroyer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stephenson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Destroyer is one step ahead there.
Destroyer tries to free his leg and advance position but Stephenson is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chicken Destroyer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Destroyer takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Destroyer stuffs the takedown attempt from Stephenson. Stephenson gets slowly back to his feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Destroyer.
Stephenson tries for a takedown but Destroyer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stephenson goes for a double leg but Destroyer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Destroyer continues to drive forward.
Destroyer with the counter takedown but Stephenson avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Stephenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Destroyer lands a head shot.

Destroyer closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stephenson did well to prevent Destroyer getting side control.

Stephenson is defending against the submission attempts here by Destroyer.
Destroyer wants to pass to mount but Stephenson is defending the position.
Destroyer missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Destroyer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stephenson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Destroyer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Destroyer's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stephenson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Destroyer defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Destroyer is trying to break free.

Stephenson has got one arm under Destroyer's chin. This could be trouble... Destroyer trying to control the other hand but Stephenson gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Destroyer has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Harold Stephenson!