PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lynard Carlson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Devin Steward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Steward's choice of entrance music: Up, Up& Aways- Kid Cudi. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Carlson
vs
Steward

189 cm
19
192 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Death Claw

All Natural Supplements ($9 Stam-100, $10 Musc-131

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lynard Carlson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Devin Steward!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Chad Campbell and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carlson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Carlson throws a head kick that Steward semi-blocks.

It looks like Devin Steward has been cut.
Steward swats away the attempt to clinch by Carlson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Carlson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Carlson tries to clinch but Steward moves out of range.
Carlson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick from Carlson lands but Steward takes it in his stride.
Carlson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Steward or perhaps it was just good defense by Carlson which made him look bad.
Carlson misses with a takedown

and Steward counters with a shoot takedown. Carlson fights it but they end up 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!
Carlson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steward trying to control the position from guard on top but Carlson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carlson pushes Steward off and gets back to his feet.
Carlson moves in looking to clinch but Steward pushes him off.
Carlson is looking to clinch but Steward is avoiding it.
Carlson cracks Steward with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Carlson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Steward.
Steward shoots for a takedown but Carlson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lynard Carlson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Devin Steward.
Carlson looks to clinch

and Steward counters with a takedown into side control.
Carlson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Steward off and has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carlson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Steward defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Carlson trying to control momentarily.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Will Carlson go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carlson lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Carlson missing with punches from the back.
Carlson misses with a punch to the head.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carlson connects with a big shot to the side of Steward's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lynard Carlson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Devin Steward's cut.
That's time! Carlson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Carlson throws a head kick that half lands.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Carlson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Carlson throws a head kick that half lands.
Carlson wants to clinch.
Steward circles away from the clinch attempt

and Steward counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
Steward is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Steward trying to control the position from guard on top but Carlson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carlson wants to stand but Steward is controlling the position.
Carlson wants to sweep here but Steward controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Carlson keeping moving, preventing Steward from controlling successfully.
Steward slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Carlson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Carlson tries for a takedown but Steward circles away easily

and Steward counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Carlson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Carlson!
Lynard Carlson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carlson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carlson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Carlson has closed the distance and engaged Steward in a clinch.
Carlson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Carlson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Carlson lands with a slapping head kick.
Carlson scores with a head kick.
Steward shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Carlson pinned against the cage. Carlson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Steward is breathing heavily.
Carlson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steward swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Carlson lands a head kick!
Carlson tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Steward counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Steward stops Carlson from standing up.
Steward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carlson is keeping the position for now.
Steward trying to control the position from guard on top but Carlson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carlson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Carlson controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steward stops Carlson from standing up.
Devin Steward has got the better of the ground game so far.
Steward trying to control the position from guard on top but Carlson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Carlson looks to clinch

and Steward counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steward trying to control but Carlson is working from the bottom.
Steward prevents Carlson from getting back to his feet.
Steward trying to control the position from guard on top but Carlson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steward might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Carlson kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carlson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devin Steward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Devin Steward's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Carlson has Steward up against the cage in a clinch.

Carlson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Carlson tries to clinch there but Steward circles away.
Steward circles away from the clinch attempt

and Steward counters with a shoot takedown. Carlson fights it but they end up in guard.
Steward missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Steward trying to control but Carlson is working from the bottom.

Carlson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Steward off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Carlson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The fight stays on the outside here - Carlson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steward takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlson tries to clinch up.
Carlson jabs at Steward's body.
Carlson lands a head kick. Steward smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Carlson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Steward is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Carlson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Steward wants to break free but Carlson has control.
Carlson with a knee to the head.

Carlson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lynard Carlson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steward takes a kick to the side of the head.
Carlson lands a high kick!
Carlson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Carlson tries to clinch but Steward is having none of it.
Lynard Carlson is winning the standup battle so far.
Carlson tries to clinch but Steward moves away

and Steward counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Carlson!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steward prevents Carlson from getting the reversal.
Carlson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Carlson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Steward misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Carlson tries to hold on but Steward postures up.

Steward goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Carlson turns into him and now he's in Steward's guard.
Steward is trying to control the position but Carlson postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steward being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Steward keeping moving, preventing Carlson from controlling successfully.
Carlson is looking to stand up but Steward won't let him.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lynard Carlson.
I think Carlson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lynard Carlson!