PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Toshika Koga (ranked 2304 p4p, 4824 weight class) and Teófilo Stevenson (ranked 205 p4p, 376 weight class). Stevenson has chosen TEÓFILO STEVENSON - NOCKOUTS as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Koga
vs
Stevenson

169 cm
24
155
4 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
156
13 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Heavy handed

Conviction

Dangerous Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Toshika Koga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Teófilo Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Columbo Gatti and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Koga decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Koga content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Koga has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Koga seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Stevenson for as long as he can get away with.
Koga wants to free his trapped foot but Stevenson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koga controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koga uses his free foot to push down on Stevenson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Stevenson.
Koga sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koga takes Stevenson's back.
Koga trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Stevenson doesn't escape.
Stevenson is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Koga off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Koga has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Koga.
Koga's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Koga continues to stall.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Toshika Koga dominated that round.
That's time! Koga's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stevenson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Koga sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stevenson somewhat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Koga darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Koga is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Stevenson!
Koga controlling his opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stevenson can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koga continues to hold on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
More hug and hope from Koga.
Toshika Koga overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Koga is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stevenson can do to turn this around?
Koga forces the positional change into back control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koga trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Stevenson doesn't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is trying to break free.
Koga is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Further stalling from Koga.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Koga is stinking the place up with his stalling.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Toshika Koga dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Koga shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stevenson's guard.
Koga controlling from the top position.
Koga slips nicely into half guard.
Koga has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Koga takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Koga.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Teófilo Stevenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Toshika Koga showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Koga has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:24
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:24
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toshika Koga!
During a confident post fight interview, Toshika Koga thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.