PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Stevenson (ranked 23989 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matheus Fernandes (ranked 5731 p4p, 0 weight class). Matheus Fernandes has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Daniel Stevenson's chin.

Stevenson
vs
Fernandes

151 cm
24
178 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

190 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Daniel Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matheus Fernandes!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Leandro Rodrigues and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Stevenson as Fernandes shoots in.
Fernandes tries for a takedown but Stevenson circles away easily

and Stevenson moves into the clinch.
Stevenson goes for a takedown attempt but Fernandes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fernandes fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevenson is looking for a counter combo.
Daniel Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Fernandes.
Fernandes fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevenson leaves Fernandes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandes has his takedown stuffed

and Stevenson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stevenson can't get the takedown.
Stevenson is trying to pull guard but Fernandes turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Stevenson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fernandes fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes misses with a takedown attempt - Stevenson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fernandes is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Fernandes darts in looking for a takedown but Stevenson gets double underhooks and turns Fernandes into the cage.
Fernandes tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stevenson defends well and Fernandes ends up having to push Stevenson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stevenson looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Fernandes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stevenson tries to avoid it but Fernandes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stevenson to the ground. Stevenson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As Fernandes looks to move away, Stevenson throws a big counter combo but Fernandes just gets out of the way.
Fernandes looks winded!
Fernandes tries for a takedown but Stevenson circles away easily

and Stevenson moves into the clinch.
Stevenson is working for takedown but Fernandes is calmly controlling the position for now.

Fernandes successfully pulls guard.
Stevenson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Fernandes wants to stand and escape but Stevenson is having none of it.

Fernandes has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Stevenson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Fernandes has his takedown stuffed
and Stevenson counters with a series of strikes. Fernandes will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes has his takedown stuffed

and Stevenson counters by clinching up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stevenson tries to score a body lock takedown but Fernandes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Stevenson jumps guard and drags Fernandes to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Stevenson pulls Fernandes in close to prevent any damage.
Fernandes wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling his posture from full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevenson pulls Fernandes in to control the position.
Fernandes wanted to stand there but Stevenson had control of the position.
Stevenson pulls Fernandes in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stevenson is proving hard to escape from.

Fernandes gets to his feet. Stevenson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Stevenson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fernandes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stevenson tries to stand but Fernandes is controlling from the bottom.
Fernandes wants to stand up but Stevenson is controlling him.
Stevenson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson won't allow Fernandes to get back to his feet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fernandes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stevenson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fernandes somewhat.
Fernandes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stevenson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fernandes somewhat.
Stevenson tries to counter by clinching up but Fernandes breaks away and moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stevenson shoots in looking for a takedown. Fernandes tries to sprawl out of it but Stevenson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fernandes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fernandes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Stevenson 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.

Stevenson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fernandes to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Stevenson is adopting a defensive guard.

Fernandes gets to his feet. Stevenson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Fernandes gets a double leg takedown into Stevenson's guard.

Stevenson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Fernandes off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Daniel Stevenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fernandes with a poor takedown

and Stevenson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stevenson.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stevenson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fernandes to keep the fight standing.
Stevenson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fernandes blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevenson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fernandes walks away with a smile on his face. Stevenson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stevenson as he avoids it easily.
Stevenson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fernandes fails with the takedown

and Stevenson counters by moving into the clinch.
Fernandes is breathing heavily.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but Fernandes won't allow it.
Stevenson is working for takedown but Fernandes is calmly controlling the position for now.

Fernandes pulls guard successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling the position.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Fernandes manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Stevenson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fernandes fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Stevenson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Fernandes wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling his posture from full guard.

Fernandes decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stevenson, up you get!
Stevenson leaves Fernandes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevenson sprawls well. Stevenson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fernandes gets slowly back to his feet.

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

Stevenson stands up and waves to Fernandes to follow him.
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevenson sprawls well. Stevenson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fernandes gets slowly back to his feet.
Fernandes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stevenson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fernandes can do to turn this around?
Fernandes misses with a takedown

and Stevenson counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but Fernandes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Stevenson tries for a takedown but Fernandes manages to get underhooks.

Stevenson successfully pulls guard.
Fernandes wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Stevenson wants to sweep here but Fernandes controlling him for the moment.
Fernandes would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Stevenson trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Daniel Stevenson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Fernandes misses with a takedown attempt
and Stevenson counters with a three punch combo that has Fernandes backing up. Fernandes nods at Stevenson to acknowledge the strikes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Fernandes drags the fight down to the ground.

Fernandes pushes Stevenson off and gets back to his feet.
Stevenson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fernandes dives in and grabs Stevenson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stevenson pushes down on Fernandes's head and hops out.
Fernandes fails with the takedown

and Stevenson counters by moving into the clinch.
Daniel Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Fernandes.
Fernandes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stevenson can't get the takedown.
Fernandes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stevenson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Stevenson successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fernandes stands and steps away. Stevenson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fernandes as he avoids it easily.
Fernandes shoots in and drives through. Stevenson sprawls well.
Fernandes with a poor takedown

and Stevenson counters by moving into the clinch.

Stevenson manages to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevenson is controlling Fernandes's posture.
Fernandes trying to stand up but can't free himself from Stevenson's guard.
Stevenson seems keen to control Fernandes's posture.
Fernandes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stevenson is proving hard to escape from.
Stevenson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Fernandes would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson pulls Fernandes in close to prevent any damage.

Fernandes stands up and waves to Stevenson to follow him.
Fernandes misses with a takedown attempt - Stevenson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stevenson tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Fernandes manages to circle out of the way.
Fernandes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevenson defends it nicely.
Stevenson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fernandes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stevenson somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernandes decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Stevenson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Fernandes is on him like a limpet, forcing Stevenson back against the cage.
Stevenson has a couple of punches blocked by Fernandes.
Stevenson wants a takedown.

Stevenson jumps guard and drags Fernandes to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Fernandes wants to get up but he can't break Stevenson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Fernandes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Fernandes misses with a takedown attempt

and Stevenson counters by moving into the clinch.
Fernandes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stevenson just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson wants a takedown.
Stevenson tries for a takedown but Fernandes manages to get underhooks.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fernandes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stevenson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fernandes walks away with a smile on his face. Stevenson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stevenson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stevenson wants it to stay on the feet.
Fernandes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stevenson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fernandes somewhat.
Stevenson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fernandes fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevenson wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Stevenson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stevenson, 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Stevenson!