PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matheus Figueiredo (ranked 5777 p4p, 24124 weight class) and Sean Stevenson Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Figueiredo
vs
Stevenson Jr

165 cm
18
130
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
21
146
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matheus Figueiredo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sean Stevenson Jr!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Figueiredo takes a kick to the side of the head.
Figueiredo is looking to clinch but Stevenson Jr is avoiding it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Figueiredo slowing the pace effectively.

Figueiredo drags the fight down to the ground.
Figueiredo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevenson Jr is one step ahead there.
Stevenson Jr has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Figueiredo is proving hard to escape from.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Figueiredo.
Stevenson Jr is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueiredo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stevenson Jr preventing the sweep.
Stevenson Jr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Figueiredo pulls Stevenson Jr in close to his closed guard and prevents Stevenson Jr from doing any damage or advancing position.
Figueiredo wants to sweep here but Stevenson Jr controlling him for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Figueiredo rushes Stevenson Jr and presses him up against the cage.

Figueiredo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Figueiredo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stevenson Jr counters with a two punch combo.
Matheus Figueiredo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figueiredo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stevenson Jr makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Figueiredo really felt that one!
A low kick lands for Stevenson Jr.
Figueiredo misses with a takedown attempt
and Stevenson Jr counters with a thumping low kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Figueiredo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevenson Jr throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Figueiredo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stevenson Jr unleashes a big counter combination but Figueiredo bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Stevenson Jr misses with the combination.
Figueiredo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stevenson Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Figueiredo is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Figueiredo rushes Stevenson Jr and presses him up against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson Jr prevents the takedown attempt.
Figueiredo has Stevenson Jr pressed against the cage, preventing Stevenson Jr from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Figueiredo goes for a takedown attempt but Stevenson Jr pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Figueiredo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stevenson Jr defends well and Figueiredo ends up having to push Stevenson Jr into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stevenson Jr tries to circle away but Figueiredo has him pinned against the cage.
Stevenson Jr wants to get back to striking at distance but Figueiredo won't allow it.
Stevenson Jr looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stevenson Jr tries to break the clinch but Figueiredo is controlling the position.
Stevenson Jr is looking to break free of the clinch but Figueiredo has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Figueiredo can't break the clinch.
Figueiredo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stevenson Jr has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Figueiredo looking to stall.
Figueiredo keeps control of Stevenson Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stevenson Jr is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stevenson Jr is looking to break free of the clinch but Figueiredo has double underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Stevenson Jr dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stevenson Jr moves out of range of the body kick from Figueiredo.
Stevenson Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stevenson Jr scores with a three punch combo!
Figueiredo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stevenson Jr counters with a series of strikes. Figueiredo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Figueiredo dodges the punch combination from Stevenson Jr.
Figueiredo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson Jr thows a body kick. Figueiredo tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Stevenson Jr throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Figueiredo's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueiredo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stevenson Jr's waist but Stevenson Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Figueiredo off to one side.
A shot to the body from Figueiredo misses
and Stevenson Jr counters with a left and a right that stings Figueiredo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevenson Jr connects with an inside leg kick.
Figueiredo is looking to clinch.
Stevenson Jr looks to land a combination but Figueiredo avoids it well.
Figueiredo is looking to counter the offense by Stevenson Jr and move into the clinch.
Good leg kick by Stevenson Jr.
Figueiredo misses with a takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Figueiredo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Figueiredo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stevenson Jr counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Figueiredo is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Figueiredo on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson Jr plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Stevenson Jr swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Figueiredo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Figueiredo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stevenson Jr counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Figueiredo is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stevenson Jr swinging wildly here.
Figueiredo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sean Stevenson Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stevenson Jr lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stevenson Jr looks to land a combination. Figueiredo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson Jr feints and then cracks Figueiredo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Figueiredo down.
Figueiredo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Figueiredo tries to clinch but Stevenson Jr moves away
and Stevenson Jr counters with a good, hard body kick but Figueiredo shrugs it off.
Stevenson Jr plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
An inside leg kick lands from Stevenson Jr.
Stevenson Jr misses with a jab, cross combination.
Figueiredo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stevenson Jr counters with a series of strikes. Figueiredo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Stevenson Jr lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Stevenson Jr looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Figueiredo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stevenson Jr sprawls and moves away.
Stevenson Jr works over Figueiredo's head and body with a nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Figueiredo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stevenson Jr is working the combinations to good effect here.
Figueiredo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stevenson Jr defends well and Figueiredo ends up having to push Stevenson Jr into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stevenson Jr working hard to break the clinch.
Stevenson Jr is trying to force a seperation but Figueiredo has the dominant position.
Stevenson Jr is trying to push Figueiredo away but Figueiredo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stevenson Jr working hard to break the clinch.
Stevenson Jr wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stevenson Jr is trying to force a seperation but Figueiredo has the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Stevenson Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Stevenson Jr lands a nice looking kick to the body. Figueiredo takes a step back to recover.
Figueiredo misses with a combination
and Stevenson Jr counters with a three punch combo that has Figueiredo backing up. Figueiredo nods at Stevenson Jr to acknowledge the strikes.
Figueiredo dives in for a single leg takedown but Stevenson Jr sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stevenson Jr lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Figueiredo tries to pull guard but Stevenson Jr forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Figueiredo gets control of Stevenson Jr's arms and successfully pulls guard. Figueiredo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Figueiredo has a closed guard, preventing Stevenson Jr from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Figueiredo is adopting a defensive guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Figueiredo trying to keep a closed guard but Stevenson Jr is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson Jr won't allow Figueiredo to sweep him here.
Stevenson Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Figueiredo is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevenson Jr trying to stand up but can't free himself from Figueiredo's guard.
Stevenson Jr postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Stevenson Jr looks to land a combination. Figueiredo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Stevenson Jr. Figueiredo shrugs it off though.
Nice body kick from Stevenson Jr.
Figueiredo fails with the takedown
and Stevenson Jr counters with a big head kick but Figueiredo shrugs it off.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Figueiredo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevenson Jr throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Figueiredo wants to clinch
and Stevenson Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stevenson Jr scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Stevenson Jr chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Figueiredo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stevenson Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson Jr throws a series of punches but Figueiredo moves out of range.
Sean Stevenson Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stevenson Jr throws a nice head kick!
Stevenson Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stevenson Jr circles away from the clinch attempt
and Stevenson Jr counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Stevenson Jr throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Figueiredo.
Figueiredo thumps Stevenson Jr with a low kick.
Stevenson Jr connects with a good right hand that stumbles Figueiredo. Figueiredo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Figueiredo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stevenson Jr counters with a thumping low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson Jr thows a body kick. Figueiredo tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A good leg kick by Stevenson Jr.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Figueiredo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Figueiredo will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Stevenson Jr lands with a kick to the temple. Figueiredo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Stevenson Jr chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Figueiredo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stevenson Jr.
Matheus Figueiredo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stevenson Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Stevenson Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stevenson Jr winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 25:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Stevenson Jr!
In his post fight interview, Sean Stevenson Jr started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.