PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Benji Stevens (ranked 3938 p4p, 23842 weight class) and Valerian Pica (ranked 331 p4p, 480 weight class). Valerian Pica told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Stevens
vs
Pica

170 cm
20
135
2 - 1 - 0

169 cm
20
159
1 - 2 - 0

Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good low kicks
Heavy handed

Hardcore Alchemy
HARDCORE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Benji Stevens!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Valerian Pica!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pica's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stevens connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Pica scrambles back to his feet.
A punch combination from Stevens misses.
Pica pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Stevens misses.
Pica swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A slow jab from Stevens misses its intended target.
Stevens has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hardman MMA in the buildup to the fight.
Pica moves out of range of the body kick from Stevens.
Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Pica.

Stevens clinches with his opponent.
Stevens blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pica tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stevens swings wildly with an uppercut but Pica uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stevens.
Stevens working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pica blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stevens tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stevens working aggressively here.
A short left from Pica.
Pica tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stevens presses Pica against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stevens working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pica.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pica.
Stevens misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Pica fails to land.
Pica throws a punch but it's blocked by Stevens.
Stevens lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pica tries to throw a body punch but Stevens avoids it by throwing Pica back against the ropes.
Stevens lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stevens lands a hook that snaps the head of Pica backwards.
Stevens working aggressively here.
Pica lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
Pica misses with a body punch.
Pica struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevens controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stevens.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Stevens.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Stevens creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stevens lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Pica backwards.
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!
Stevens is working Pica over against the ropes.
Pica lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Stevens manages to break the clinch.
Pica ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
Pica was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Pica avoids the body shot from Stevens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Stevens. Beautiful body shot.
Pica tries to clinch up but Stevens circles away and keeps his distance.
Stevens throws a half hearted mid kick.
It seemed like Pica was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Pica tries a low kick but Stevens avoids it.
Stevens loads up on a big right hand but Pica slips the punch.
Stevens scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stevens lands a jab to the nose.
Pica ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
Benji Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pica takes one on the button.
Stevens is looking to land body kicks.
Stevens pivots, looking for a leg kick but Pica is out of range and Stevens settles back down.
Stevens lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevens scores with a kick to the midsection.
Stevens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pica tries to clinch but Stevens moves out of range.
Pica takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Benji Stevens dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stevens swats away the attempt to clinch by Pica.
Stevens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pica swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Stevens lands a jab to Pica's midsection.
Stevens misses the shot to the body.
Pica feints and then cracks Stevens's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stevens down.
Stevens throws out a loose jab but Pica uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stevens fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pica on the side of the head.
A jab from Pica misses.
Stevens shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Pica throws a low kick but Stevens avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pica feints a counter leg kick.
Pica misses with a body shot.
Stevens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pica takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Pica uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pica.
Stevens with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Pica throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stevens uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Pica tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stevens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pica can do to turn this around?
A lazy left from Stevens finds it's target.
Nice body kick from Stevens.
Nice shot lands for Stevens.
Stevens blocks a leg kick.
Stevens moves away from the strike by Pica.
Pica takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A slapping body kick lands there for Stevens.
Stevens scoring well with a low kick there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pica tries to clinch up but Stevens circles away and keeps his distance.
Stevens connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Pica momentarily.
Good exchange - Stevens coming out on top.

Pica is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pica walks straight into a perfectly timed right hook, crumpling him to the floor! Pica is in all kinds of trouble here - can he beat the count? 3,4,5,6,7,8,9....10 - he's out and it's by a long way too - he didn't ever look like beating that count!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Benji Stevens!
Benji Stevens retains his featherweight title!
An out of breath Benji Stevens thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.