PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kai Chisaki (ranked 6133 p4p, 2190 weight class) and Olenev Stepanovich (ranked 551 p4p, 273 weight class). Stepanovich has chosen Swallowing Dust as his entrance music. Olenev Stepanovich has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Chisaki
vs
Stepanovich

178 cm
19
165
2 - 1 - 0

186 cm
23
165
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Chisaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Olenev Stepanovich!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanovich feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Chisakis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Stepanovich enables Chisaki to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Stepanovich manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Stepanovich has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Chisaki is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Stepanovich is trying to force a seperation but Chisaki has the dominant position.
Chisaki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stepanovich gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
We've been hearing reports that Chisaki has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Stepanovich prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stepanovich is looking to break free of the clinch but Chisaki has double underhooks.
Chisaki tries to score a body lock takedown but Stepanovich shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kai Chisaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stepanovich lands a nice shot to the body.
Chisaki can't get the takedown.
Stepanovich throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stepanovich misses with the head strike.
Chisaki tries for a takedown. No joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stepanovich lands a body shot in the clinch.
Chisaki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Stepanovich after a bit of a struggle.

Stepanovich escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stepanovich misses the shot to the body.
Stepanovich connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stepanovich stuffs the takedown attempt from Chisaki. Chisaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Chisaki fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chisaki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Stepanovich told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Stepanovich wants to get back to his feet.

Stepanovich has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Chisaki is on him like a limpet, forcing Stepanovich back against the cage.
Chisaki looking for a takedown.
Stepanovich has had enough of the clinch but Chisaki keeps him there for the moment.
Stepanovich struggles to land a body shot inside as Chisaki controls his hands.
Chisaki keeps control of Stepanovich as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Chisaki tries for a takedown but Stepanovich manages to get underhooks.
Chisaki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stepanovich pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stepanovich catches Chisaki with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Chisaki looks for a takedown but Stepanovich sprawls well.
Stepanovich throws out a counter right but Chisaki avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chisaki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stepanovich's waist but Stepanovich gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chisaki off to one side.
A shot to the liver by Stepanovich. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chisaki doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Stepanovich to counter with a crisp jab.
Chisaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stepanovich lands a nice hook to Chisaki's body. Chisaki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Stepanovich connects with a body shot.
Chisaki shoots in but Stepanovich avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Chisaki goes for a double leg but Stepanovich avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stepanovich continues to drive forward.
Chisaki can't get the takedown.
Chisaki is breathing heavily.

Stepanovich escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Olenev Stepanovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stepanovich lands with a nice body punch.
Chisaki fails to land the takedown.
Stepanovich is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Chisaki with a body shot.

Chisaki looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stepanovich pushes Chisaki off and gets back to his feet.
Chisaki moves forwards but Stepanovich connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stepanovich lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Chisaki at a distance.
Chisaki dives in for a single leg takedown but Stepanovich sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Chisaki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stepanovich pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Chisaki tries for a takedown but Stepanovich manages to get underhooks.

Stepanovich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chisaki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stepanovich circles away.
Stepanovich lands a jab to Chisaki's midsection.
Chisaki tries for a takedown but Stepanovich circles away easily
and Stepanovich counters with a straight right hand.

Chisaki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stepanovich's half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Chisaki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stepanovich is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stepanovich manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Chisaki keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Chisaki blocking some punches.

Chisaki has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Stepanovich clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Stepanovich is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Chisaki on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stepanovich lands a body shot.
Stepanovich works Chisaki's body with a nice hook.
Chisaki has his takedown stuffed
letting Stepanovich counter with a right hand.
Chisaki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stepanovich sprawls well. Stepanovich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Chisaki gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chisaki looks for a takedown but Stepanovich sprawls well.
Chisaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Olenev Stepanovich dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stepanovich bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Chisaki shoots in looking for a takedown but Stepanovich manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Chisaki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Chisaki takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Chisaki dives in and grabs Stepanovich's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stepanovich pushes down on Chisaki's head and hops out.
Kai Chisaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Stepanovich enables Chisaki to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Stepanovich manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Stepanovich wants to stand but Chisaki is controlling the position.

Stepanovich manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Chisaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stepanovich sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chisaki somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kai Chisaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chisaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stepanovich but Stepanovich pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Chisaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stepanovich as he jumps to the side.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stepanovich listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Chisaki shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich wants to get back to his feet.
Chisaki trying to pass the guard but Stepanovich defending well.
Stepanovich is trying to stand.

Chisaki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Chisaki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Stepanovich wants to get back to his feet.

Stepanovich makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chisaki shoots in for a takedown but Stepanovich shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Chisaki dives in and scores a takedown into Stepanovich's guard.

Stepanovich has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Chisaki off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Olenev Stepanovich seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stepanovich just misses with a punch to the body.
Chisaki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stepanovich counters with a straight right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chisaki fails to land the takedown.
Chisaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stepanovich tries to avoid it but Chisaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stepanovich to the ground. Stepanovich escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Chisaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Chisaki shoots in for a takedown but Stepanovich shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stepanovich lands with a shot to the body.
Stepanovich scores with a crisp jab that stopped Chisaki in his tracks.
Chisaki tries for a takedown but Stepanovich circles away easily
and Stepanovich counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stepanovich darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Chisaki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stepanovich's half guard.

Stepanovich has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Chisaki is on him like a limpet, forcing Stepanovich back against the cage.
Stepanovich is pressed up against the cage. Chisaki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stepanovich down to the mat. Stepanovich avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Chisaki takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stepanovich dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chisaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a nice body shot.
Stepanovich throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stepanovich connects with a jab.
Chisaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Chisaki seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Stepanovich lands a right hook to the body.
Chisaki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stepanovich sprawls well. Stepanovich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Chisaki gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chisaki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Chisaki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Stepanovich napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stepanovich is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Stepanovich explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Stepanovich connects with a right hand. Chisaki shakes it off.
Nice takedown defense from Stepanovich. No joy for Chisaki on that attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chisaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stepanovich as he avoids it easily.
Stepanovich misses with a body shot.

Chisaki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Chisaki lands in his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Olenev Stepanovich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Chisaki misses with a takedown attempt
and Stepanovich makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Chisaki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Chisaki takes one to the side of the head.
Chisaki with a poor takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kai Chisaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chisaki tries for a takedown but Stepanovich sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Chisaki has a takedown stuffed.
Chisaki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chisaki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chisaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stepanovich lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich just misses with a punch to the body.
Stepanovich lands with a cross.
Stepanovich lands a nice hook to Chisaki's body. Chisaki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Chisaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stepanovich sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chisaki somewhat.
Stepanovich misses with a wild body shot.
Chisaki shoots in but Stepanovich avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stepanovich connects with a good right hand that stumbles Chisaki. Chisaki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stepanovich cracks a nice hook into Chisaki's ribs.
Stepanovich lands with a good body shot.
Stepanovich takes a swing at Chisaki's ribcage but misses.
Stepanovich scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Olenev Stepanovich is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stepanovich is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Chisaki rather than just go for the knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chisaki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stepanovich throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Chisaki on the side of the head.
Chisaki shoots for a takedown but Stepanovich saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stepanovich is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Chisaki with a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stepanovich dips to his left and cracks Chisaki with an uppercut!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Chisaki is defended easily by Stepanovich.
Chisaki walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stepanovich jabs Chisaki right on the nose. Chisaki blinks but takes it well.
Stepanovich has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Chisaki misses with a takedown attempt - Stepanovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stepanovich is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Chisaki with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich lands a right hook to the body.
Chisaki fails with the takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Chisaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stepanovich smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Chisaki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Stepanovich to counter with a crisp jab.
Chisaki darts in looking for a takedown but Stepanovich gets double underhooks and turns Chisaki into the cage.
Chisaki tries for a takedown. No joy.
Chisaki looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Stepanovich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stepanovich fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chisaki manages to avoid it.
Chisaki takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stepanovich scores with a body shot.

Chisaki drives through with a takedown into Stepanovich's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Stepanovich is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Chisaki presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stepanovich tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chisaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stepanovich gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Chisaki tries to score a body lock takedown but Stepanovich shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Chisaki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stepanovich gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Chisaki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stepanovich fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stepanovich misses the shot to the body.
Stepanovich cracks a nice hook into Chisaki's ribs.
Stepanovich lands the left hand.
Stepanovich connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Chisaki momentarily.
Stepanovich slaps away a takedown attempt from Chisaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Olenev Stepanovich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stepanovich has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Olenev Stepanovich!
After winning the bout, Olenev Stepanovich thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.