PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ciro Tavernelli (ranked 3487 p4p, 4995 weight class) and Kaden Stephens (ranked 413 p4p, 508 weight class). Kaden Stephens has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tavernelli
vs
Stephens

178 cm
23
170
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
175
2 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Conquest Nutritionâ„¢ (160Q) $48

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ciro Tavernelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kaden Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Franklyn Lucas and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens ducks under a wild hook from Tavernelli.
Stephens with the counter takedown but Tavernelli avoids it easily.
Tavernelli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stephens.
Stephens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tavernelli lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stephens circles away quickly and effectively.
Tavernelli looks to land a left hand but Stephens moved out of range nicely.
Tavernelli stuns Stephens with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavernelli throws a looping overhand right but Stephens ducks down to avoid it.
Tavernelli throws a hook but Stephens avoids it easily.
Stephens is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Stephens shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tavernelli misses with a body shot.
Stephens drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tavernelli defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Tavernelli finds it's target.
Stephens ducks under a wild hook from Tavernelli.
Tavernelli throws a poor cross that misses

and Stephens counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tavernelli is trying to stand up here but Stephens is controlling him well.
Stephens wants to control but Tavernelli is keeping him busy.
Tavernelli tries to kick Stephens off but Stephens keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Stephens wants to work for an arm triangle but Tavernelli is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tavernelli is not content to let Stephens control the position.
Tavernelli tries to get to full guard but Stephens has control of the leg.
Stephens wants to free his trapped foot but Tavernelli is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavernelli wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Stephens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tavernelli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stephens is pressing down on Tavernelli's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tavernelli is holding on for now.

Stephens is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tavernelli defends it well.
Stephens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tavernelli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stephens tries to pass to full mount but Tavernelli defends it.
Tavernelli wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens prevents Tavernelli from improving his position.
Stephens prevents Tavernelli from standing back up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Stephens seems to be working for a kimura but Tavernelli defends the submission attempt.
Tavernelli is looking to improve his position.
Stephens wants to control but Tavernelli is keeping him busy.
Tavernelli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stephens on the ground.
Tavernelli is trying to get back to full guard.

Stephens is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tavernelli is just riding it out for now. Stephens eventually gives up the hold.
Tavernelli desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Stephens is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stephens keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Tavernelli moves into full guard.
Tavernelli wants to stand up but Stephens is controlling him.
Tavernelli controls Stephens momentarily but Stephens frees himself.
Tavernelli wants to stand but Stephens is controlling the position.
Stephens pushes down on Tavernelli's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Stephens is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tavernelli has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tavernelli looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Tavernelli is refusing to be controlled, as Stephens sits in half guard.
Tavernelli on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tavernelli tries to get out of the position.

Tavernelli manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Tavernelli throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stephens.
Stephens takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ciro Tavernelli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tavernelli loads up on a big right hand but Stephens slips the punch.
Stephens changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tavernelli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stephens was well out of range. Poor timing from Tavernelli.
Tavernelli jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tavernelli but Tavernelli pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tavernelli scores with the left hand. Stephens knows he should have avoided that one.
Tavernelli throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stephens feints the counter takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice defenses there by Stephens.
Tavernelli stuns Stephens with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tavernelli lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tavernelli bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stephens's head backwards.
Tavernelli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Stephens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tavernelli missing with a left hand there. Stephens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice defenses there by Stephens.
Stephens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tavernelli throws a lazy right hand but Stephens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stephens feints the counter takedown.
Tavernelli misses with a looping right.
Tavernelli is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Tavernelli throws a body shot but no joy.
Stephens tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tavernelli scores with a jab to the jaw.
Stephens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Tavernelli throws a lazy right hand but Stephens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tavernelli swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stephens tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Stephens avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ciro Tavernelli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tavernelli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stephens drops his hands momentarily and Tavernelli takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tavernelli throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tavernelli takes a swing at Stephens's ribcage but misses.
Tavernelli throws a looping overhand right but Stephens ducks down to avoid it.
Stephens drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tavernelli defends it well.
Tavernelli throws a hook but Stephens blocks it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Tavernelli misses its intended target.
Stephens is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tavernelli looks to land a combination but Stephens avoids it well.
Stephens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tavernelli.
Tavernelli misses with a hook. Stephens ducked under it nicely.
Tavernelli throws the left hand but Stephens avoids the punch easily.
Tavernelli pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Stephens back to the ropes. Tavernelli follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Tavernelli throws a right and a left that Stephens avoids nicely.
Stephens defending well as Tavernelli loads up on a big left hand.
And Stephens tries to counter it with a takedown but Tavernelli pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Stephens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tavernelli.
Stephens with the counter takedown but Tavernelli avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ciro Tavernelli dominated that round.
That's time! Tavernelli's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tavernelli throws a series of punches but Stephens moves out of range.
Stephens with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stephens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Tavernelli throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stephens with the counter takedown but Tavernelli avoids it easily.
Tavernelli throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Tavernelli drops Stephens with a beautiful combination! Stephens stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Tavernelli is looking for the KO!

Stephens is rocked!
Stephens ducks under a wild hook from Tavernelli.
Tavernelli looks to throw the jab but Stephens is out of range.
Stephens is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tavernelli throws a looping overhand right but Stephens ducks down to avoid it.
Stephens with the counter takedown but Tavernelli avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavernelli throws a series of punches but Stephens moves out of range.
Stephens drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tavernelli defends it well.
Stephens throws a hook to the side of Tavernelli's head but Tavernelli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tavernelli is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stephens can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tavernelli scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Stephens shoots in for a takedown but Tavernelli shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ciro Tavernelli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaden Stephens.
Stephens shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Stephens is still on wobbly legs! Can Tavernelli finish him?
Tavernelli circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Stephens to the canvas! Stephens doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - Tavernelli keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ciro Tavernelli!