PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Teofilo Stevenson (ranked 3291 p4p, 4218 weight class) and Bobby Buckler (ranked 435 p4p, 0 weight class). Bobby Buckler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stevenson
vs
Buckler

185 cm
25
210
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
200
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Teofilo Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bobby Buckler!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jorge Garcia and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson lands a leg kick that knocks Buckler off balance momentarily.
Buckler throws a right and a left that Stevenson avoids nicely.
Buckler slips under a jab.
Stevenson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Buckler's head.

It looks like Bobby Buckler has been cut.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stevenson.
Stevenson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Buckler moves in looking to clinch but Stevenson pushes him off.
Stevenson misses with an uppercut.
Teofilo Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Stevenson tenderised Buckler's leg. Buckler is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stevenson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Buckler feints a counter leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Buckler.
Stevenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Buckler moves away.
Stevenson looks to throw the jab but Buckler is out of range.
Stevenson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stevenson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Buckler on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stevenson. Stevenson obviously looking to wear him down.
Buckler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevenson is fending him off so far but Buckler persists. Nope, Stevenson circles away and we're back to standing.
Buckler shoots in looking for a takedown. Stevenson tries to sprawl out of it but Buckler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stevenson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Teofilo Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Buckler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Stevenson does it's job there.
Stevenson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Buckler stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Stevenson with the inside leg kick.
Buckler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevenson lands a leg kick that knocks Buckler off balance momentarily.
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Buckler tries a head kick but it misses.
Stevenson throws a head kick that half lands.
Stevenson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Buckler.
Stevenson digs a good hook to Buckler's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckler shoots in and drives through. Stevenson sprawls well.
Buckler looks winded!
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Teofilo Stevenson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson connects with an inside leg kick.
Stevenson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Buckler's sensitive parts.
Stevenson with the inside leg kick.
Buckler throws a head kick but Stevenson moves out of range.
Buckler takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Stevenson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Buckler misses with a head kick.
Buckler shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevenson sprawls well. Stevenson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Buckler gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice jab there from Stevenson.
Stevenson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Buckler.
Stevenson throws a sloppy head kick and Buckler moves out of range easily.
Buckler avoids the head kick by Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Buckler.
Stevenson throws a shot from downtown. Buckler moves away and avoids it.
Stevenson scores with a head kick.
Buckler goes for a double leg but Stevenson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stevenson continues to drive forward.
Stevenson connects with a right hand. Buckler shakes it off.
Buckler on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Stevenson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Buckler uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stevenson misses with a short punch on the inside.
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!
Buckler drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stevenson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stevenson cracks Buckler with a good jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckler staying out of range there.
Stevenson misses the shot to the body.
Buckler tries to clinch up but Stevenson circles away and keeps his distance.
Stevenson scores with a head kick.
Stevenson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stevenson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Buckler moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Stevenson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Buckler.
Stevenson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Buckler at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevenson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stevenson misses with a wild body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Teofilo Stevenson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bobby Buckler's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Buckler closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Stevenson throws a head kick but Buckler moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stevenson.
Buckler throws a push kick but Stevenson slaps the foot to one side.
Stevenson scores with a head kick.
Stevenson looks to land a right hand but Buckler moved out of range.
A jab from Stevenson misses.
Buckler avoids the head kick by Stevenson.
Buckler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Buckler fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buckler shoots in for a double leg but Stevenson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stevenson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Buckler wants to clinch up but Stevenson keeps it at a distance.
Stevenson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Buckler can do to turn this around?
Buckler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stevenson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stevenson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Teofilo Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Buckler.
Buckler is breathing heavily.
Stevenson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Buckler's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Buckler tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Buckler misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bobby Buckler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Buckler chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stevenson can pounce on him.
Stevenson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Buckler walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stevenson jabs Buckler right on the nose. Buckler blinks but takes it well.
Stevenson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stevenson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Buckler is trying desperately to land a takedown but Stevenson is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Buckler.
A head kick misses from Buckler.
Stevenson throws a head kick that Buckler semi-blocks.
Stevenson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stevenson scores with a body shot.
Stevenson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevenson with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Stevenson.
Buckler throws a leg kick but Stevenson checks it.
Buckler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stevenson pinned against the cage. Stevenson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stevenson scores with a head kick.
Stevenson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Buckler shoots in looking for a takedown but Stevenson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Buckler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stevenson lands with a nice body punch.
Stevenson lands with a cross.
Stevenson scores with a punch to the head.
Stevenson is looking to slow Buckler down with leg kicks.
Buckler fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson lands with a slapping head kick.
Stevenson lands a jab.
Buckler on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Stevenson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Stevenson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stevenson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Stevenson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bucklers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Buckler checks a leg kick.
Buckler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevenson as he jumps to the side.
Buckler stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stevenson.
Stevenson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Buckler dives in for a single leg takedown but Stevenson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckler takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stevenson scores with a sloppy right hand. Buckler should have avoided that one.
Stevenson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Buckler. Buckler circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stevenson lands with a right hand.
Stevenson scores with a head kick. Buckler tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Stevenson throws a nice outside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Buckler displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A good leg kick by Stevenson.
Stevenson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Buckler drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Stevenson defends it well.
Stevenson misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevenson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Buckler.
Stevenson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Stevenson throws a low kick but Buckler avoids it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Teofilo Stevenson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bobby Buckler's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Buckler dives in and grabs Stevenson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stevenson pushes down on Buckler's head and hops out.
Stevenson tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Buckler manages to circle out of the way.
Stevenson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Stevenson connects with a solid leg kick.
Stevenson connects with a solid leg kick.
Stevenson cracks a nice hook into Buckler's ribs.
Stevenson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Buckler clinches up against the cage.

Buckler decides to pull guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Stevenson wants to stand but Buckler is controlling his posture from full guard.
Buckler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevenson manages to get himself to full guard.

Stevenson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Buckler is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson is looking to stand up but Buckler isn't so interested in that idea.
Buckler throwing strikes from guard but Stevenson blocks nicely.
Stevenson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stevenson tries to get out of the position.

Buckler stands up from Stevenson's guard - Buckler perhaps looking for a knockout.
Buckler throws a head kick but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Buckler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Buckler takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stevenson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckler takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stevenson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Buckler tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Stevenson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stevenson throws a right hand that misses
and Buckler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stevenson slaps away a takedown attempt from Buckler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Teofilo Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Buckler.
Buckler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stevenson as he avoids it easily.
Stevenson scores with a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevenson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stevenson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Buckler's sensitive parts.
A good leg kick by Stevenson.
Stevenson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Buckler wants to clinch up but Stevenson keeps it at a distance.
Stevenson lands a head kick!
Buckler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevenson tries to counter by clinching up but Buckler breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson thuds a left hand into Buckler's body.
Stevenson thuds his right hand into Buckler's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Stevenson lands with a slapping head kick.
Stevenson cracks a nice hook into Buckler's ribs.
Stevenson digs a good body shot into Buckler's ribs.
Stevenson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Buckler fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevenson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Stevenson slaps away a takedown attempt from Buckler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stevenson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckler takes one to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Buckler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Teofilo Stevenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stevenson throws a head kick that Buckler semi-blocks.
Stevenson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Buckler.
Stevenson lands a jab to Buckler's midsection.
Stevenson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Buckler's head.
Stevenson connects with a body shot.
Stevenson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Buckler is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Buckler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Buckler takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Buckler tries to bum rush Stevenson with a series of wild strikes but Stevenson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bobby Buckler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stevenson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Buckler on the side of the head.
Stevenson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Buckler's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teofilo Stevenson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stevenson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:25
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:25

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