PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Stevens (ranked 3832 p4p, 3562 weight class) and Mike KnockOut (ranked 448 p4p, 427 weight class). Jack Stevens has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stevens
vs
KnockOut

180 cm
27
155
2 - 3 - 0

178 cm
20
158
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Bear N Saints

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike KnockOut!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stevens has KnockOut up against the cage in a clinch.
Stevens has KnockOut pressed against the cage.
KnockOut is looking to break free of the clinch but Stevens has double underhooks.
Stevens is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. KnockOut is defending well for now.
Stevens tries to pull guard but KnockOut forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
KnockOut's coach down at CHECKMATE PRIME MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on KnockOut's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Stevens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. KnockOut avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
KnockOut slowing the pace effectively.
Stevens wants to break free but KnockOut has control.
Stevens misses with a punch to the body.
KnockOut looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens scores with a shot to the side of KnockOut's head.
Stevens tries to pull guard but KnockOut forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens pressing his opponent against the cage.

Stevens breaks the clinch.
KnockOut throws a body shot but no joy.
Stevens changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with KnockOut but KnockOut pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stevens tries to clinch up but KnockOut circles away and keeps his distance.
KnockOut moves out of range of the body kick.
KnockOut jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
KnockOut throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stevens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stevens fails with the takedown.

Stevens closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stevens lands in his opponent's guard.
Stevens is fighting to break KnockOut's control of his arms but KnockOut is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
KnockOut avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
KnockOut trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens with a flurry of punches that miss.
KnockOut pulls Stevens in close to prevent any damage.
Stevens throwing strikes from guard but KnockOut blocks nicely.
KnockOut wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
KnockOut wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
KnockOut slips a jab and a cross from Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
KnockOut scores with a jab to the jaw.
KnockOut lands a glancing blow to the side of Stevens's head.

A momentary lapse in concentration from KnockOut enables Stevens to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. KnockOut manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
KnockOut is pulling down on Stevens's head. It's preventing any offense from Stevens, at least for the moment.

Stevens stands up from KnockOut's guard - Stevens perhaps looking for a knockout.
Stevens tries to clinch up.
KnockOut misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
Stevens throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nice cross by KnockOut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice shot by KnockOut.
Stevens closes the distance looking to clinch
and KnockOut counters with a left to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mike KnockOut will probably get the nod.
That's time! Stevens's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stevens misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
KnockOut looks to throw the jab but Stevens is out of range.
Stevens is trying hard to land a takedown here. KnockOut sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stevens tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. KnockOut manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jack Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
KnockOut avoids the head kick by Stevens.
KnockOut connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stevens tries to close the distance and clinch up but KnockOut swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A little jabbing left from KnockOut on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
KnockOut ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
KnockOut tests Stevens's chin there with a solid looking shot.
KnockOut paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Stevens is rocked!
KnockOut lands a right hook to the body.
KnockOut cracks Stevens with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
KnockOut avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've been told by Stevens's head coaches at Tran MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nice jab there from KnockOut.
Oh Stevens is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
KnockOut throws a body punch but Stevens moves out of range.
KnockOut drops Stevens with a naaaaasty hook - Stevens is in real trouble here! KnockOut dives in to side control and pounds out his opponent for a TKO victory! The crowd goes nuts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike KnockOut!
A relieved looking Mike KnockOut thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.