PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lee Stephens (ranked 2257 p4p, 2710 weight class) and Charles Bukowski (ranked 283 p4p, 340 weight class). Lee Stephens had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Stephens
vs
Bukowski

188 cm
29
195
9 - 10 - 0

183 cm
27
191
11 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lee Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Charles Bukowski!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bukowski swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Stephens counters with a nice uppercut.
Bukowski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bukowski scores with a hook to the body. Stephens takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bukowski lands with a shot to the body.
Bukowski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stephens on the side of the head.
Bukowski lands with a good body shot.
Bukowski connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bukowski throws a big shot that misses.
Stephens was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bukowski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bukowski throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Stephens counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bukowski thinking.
Bukowski slips under a jab from Stephens.
Bukowski cracks a nice hook into Stephens's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bukowski lands a head shot.
Bukowski throws a right and a left that Stephens avoids nicely.
Charles Bukowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens cracks Bukowski with a good jab.
Stephens definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sloppy strikes from Stephens. Those never looked like landing.
Bukowski lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Bukowski misses with the combination.
Bukowski wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bukowski swinging wildly here.
It looked like Stephens was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bukowski.
Bukowski misses with a wild body shot.

Bukowski shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Stephens napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Bukowski in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bukowski working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Stephens parries the strikes from Bukowski easily there. Bukowski is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Stephens to escape.
Bukowski landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bukowski in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Bukowski lands some shots froms side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stephens is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bukowski asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bukowski wants to control but Stephens is keeping him busy.
Bukowski throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Bukowski cracks Stephens with a big elbow.
Stephens is not content to let Bukowski control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski working away.

Stephens throws Bukowski to one side and escapes!
Bukowski with a nice calf kick.
Bukowski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stephens.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bukowski! But no joy.
Bukowski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stephens was well out of range. Poor timing from Bukowski.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Stephens does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Stephens was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stephens uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bukowski has time to react.
Stephens misses the shot to the body.
Bukowski connects with a body shot.
Bukowski misses with a shot to the body
and Stephens counters with a three punch combo that has Bukowski backing up. Bukowski nods at Stephens to acknowledge the strikes.
Bukowski shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stephens pinned against the cage. Stephens gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stephens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski looks to score with a jab to the body but Stephens is just out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stephens takes one to the side of the head.
Stephens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bukowski throws a jab but it's blocked by Stephens.
Stephens seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
An inside leg kick from Bukowski misses.
Bukowski smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Stephens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stephens ducks right into an uppercut from Bukowski.
A shot to the body from Bukowski misses
and Stephens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bukowski swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stephens counters with a straight right hand.
Stephens closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Bukowski dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No joy there for Bukowski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bukowski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stephens tries to avoid it but Bukowski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stephens to the ground. Stephens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bukowski misses the jab.
Bukowski throws the left hand but Stephens avoids the punch easily.
Stephens throws a big counter combination but Bukowski scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Stephens missing with a left hand there. Bukowski was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bukowski throws a front kick aimed at Stephens's knee but Stephens avoids it well.
Stephens throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bukowski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Bukowski avoids them all with ease.
Bukowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bukowski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stephens stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukowski swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bukowski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Charles Bukowski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stephens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bukowski.
Stephens throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stephens avoids it really well and circles away.
Stephens is looking to counter punch.
Bukowski throws a jab when Stephens was well out of range.
A combination from Stephens does no damage.
Bukowski lands a nice looking body shot.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Bukowski moves out of range.
Lee Stephens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bukowski takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bukowski darts in looking for a takedown but Stephens gets double underhooks and turns Bukowski into the cage.
Lee Stephens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Bukowski.
Bukowski cracks Stephens with a good jab.
Bukowski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bukowski misses with a double jab

and Stephens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Bukowski.
Bukowski is trying to pull guard but Stephens has him pressed against the cage.
Bukowski goes for a takedown attempt but Stephens pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Bukowski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stephens.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Stephens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bukowski misses with a double jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bukowski throws out a loose jab but Stephens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stephens throwing a counter right hand but Bukowski manages to avoid it.
Bukowski with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stephens counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bukowski just misses with a punch to the body.
Stephens is looking to counter punch.
Bukowski scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stephens blocks a low kick nicely.
Bukowski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stephens manages to avoid it.
Bukowski is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski throws a poor cross that misses
and Stephens counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bukowski lands with a good body shot.
Bukowski throws a right hand that Stephens ducks under and follows up with a left that Stephens also avoids with ease.
Stephens misses with a double jab.
Bukowski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bukowski lands a nice shot to the body.
Bukowski shoots in for a takedown but Stephens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Bukowski with that takedown attempt.
Bukowski scores with a shot to the body.
Stephens lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bukowski thuds a left hand into Stephens's body.
Bukowski lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Stephens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stephens went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bukowski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stephens avoids it really well and circles away.
Bukowski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bukowski misses with a body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Bukowski. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bukowski.
Bukowski just misses with a punch to the body.
Stephens throws a big counter combination but Bukowski scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bukowski shoots and misses
and Stephens counters with a straight right hand.
Bukowski is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stephens.
Stephens misses with a few strikes there.
Bukowski misses with a body shot.
A punch combination from Stephens misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Charles Bukowski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bukowski takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stephens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bukowski shoots in looking for a takedown but Stephens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bukowski's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bukowski lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Stephens slaps away a takedown attempt from Bukowski, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stephens seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bukowski just misses with a punch to the body.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown but Bukowski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stephens lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bukowski backs up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bukowski closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stephens did well to prevent Bukowski getting side control.

Stephens kicks off Bukowski and gets to his feet.
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!
Bukowski jabs Stephens right on the nose. Stephens blinks but takes it well.
Bukowski looks for a takedown but Stephens sprawls well.
Lee Stephens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Bukowski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski jabs Stephens right on the nose. Stephens blinks but takes it well.
Bukowski blocks a jab.
Bukowski throws a predictable looking body shot
and Stephens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bukowski throws a body shot but no joy.
Bukowski throws a lazy right hand but Stephens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stephens throws a jab but it's blocked by Bukowski.
Bukowski throws a series of punches but Stephens moves out of range.
Stephens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bukowski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stephens.
Stephens takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bukowski throws a series of strikes that have Stephens backpedaling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens lands with a shot to the body.
Bukowski misses with a hook.
Bukowski throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stephens fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bukowski looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bukowski looks to score with a jab to the body but Stephens is just out of range.
Bukowski lands a nice looking body shot.
Bukowski swings away with a body shot that misses
and Stephens counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A cross from Bukowski lands.
Bukowski throws a nice looking combination but Stephens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bukowski misses with a leg kick
enabling Stephens to counter with a crisp jab.
Bukowski throws a body shot but no joy.
Bukowski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stephens was well out of range. Poor timing from Bukowski.
Stephens throws a series of strikes that have Bukowski backpedaling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski lands with a straight right. Stephens didn't see that one coming.
Bukowski avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bukowski misses with a straight right.
Bukowski misses with a wild combination.
Bukowski looks to score with a jab to the body but Stephens is just out of range.
Stephens throws a big counter combination but Bukowski scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bukowski lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Stephens walks into a jab.

Bukowski throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stephens tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bukowski is in Stephens's guard.
Bukowski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bukowski advances to half guard.
Bukowski is looking to take a break and control but Stephens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bukowski throws a strike but Stephens avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens is pulling down on Bukowski's head. It's preventing any offense from Bukowski, at least for the moment.
Bukowski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
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!
Stephens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bukowski.

Stephens scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Stephens uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bukowski.
Bukowski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Stephens does no damage.
Charles Bukowski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stephens staying out of range there.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Charles Bukowski.
I've got Bukowski 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charles Bukowski!