PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yvan Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yvan Ramirez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stevens
vs
Ramirez

172 cm
22
168 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

175 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Knockout Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yvan Ramirez!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ramirez throws a wild body kick that Stevens sees coming a mile off.

Ramirez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ramirez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stevens's face.
Ramirez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Stevens has Ramirez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Stevens pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ramirez tumbling to the mat - Stevens dives into Ramirez's guard.
Ramirez is trying to keep Stevens in close.
Stevens looking to pass the guard.
Ramirez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stevens. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Ramirez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ramirez controls Stevens momentarily but Stevens frees himself.

Stevens stands up and waves to Ramirez to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens blocks a head kick by Ramirez.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevens.

Ramirez rushes Stevens and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A knee to the head by Ramirez.
Ramirez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stevens is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ramirez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stevens fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ramirez tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens closes the distance looking to clinch

and Ramirez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Stevens tries for a takedown. No joy.

Stevens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ramirez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ramirez tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Stevens counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Stevens is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens being controlled here momentarily.
Ramirez is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.
Ramirez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Ramirez is keeping the position.
Ramirez looking for a sweep. Not yet Ramirez, not yet.
Ramirez has a closed guard, preventing Stevens from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevens prevents Ramirez from getting back to his feet.

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.
Ramirez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

Ramirez forces Stevens back against the cage and clinches.
Ramirez landing knees to the head.
Ramirez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stevens has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ramirez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Joe Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yvan Ramirez.
Stevens avoiding damage as Ramirez throws knees to the body.
Ramirez misses with a knee to the head.
Ramirez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ramirez connects with a knee to the head.
Ramirez can't get the takedown.
Ramirez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ramirez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stevens is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ramirez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ramirez obliges.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Stevens dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ramirez feints and then cracks Stevens's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stevens down.
Joe Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stevens shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ramirez pinned against the cage. Ramirez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ramirez lands with a slapping head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ramirez stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez misses with a takedown attempt - Stevens sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ramirez throws a head kick that misses.

Ramirez pushes Stevens up against the cage in a clinch.
Ramirez scores with a knee to the head.
Ramirez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stevens has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ramirez misses with a knee to the head.
Ramirez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ramirez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ramirez.
Ramirez looking to throw knees to the head but Stevens is blocking nicely.

That's two 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.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ramirez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ramirez misses with a knee strike.
Stevens tries for a takedown but Ramirez manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ramirez unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ramirez misses with a knee to the head.
Stevens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ramirez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ramirez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stevens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ramirez.
Ramirez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ramirez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stevens's face.
Stevens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Ramirez breaks from the clinch.
Stevens shoots in for a double leg but Ramirez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stevens blocks a head kick by Ramirez.
Yvan Ramirez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens circles away from the clinch attempt

and Stevens counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Stevens tries to free his leg and advance position but Ramirez is retaining full guard.
Ramirez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevens manages to get himself to full guard.
Stevens controls Ramirez momentarily but Ramirez frees himself.
Ramirez trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Ramirez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stevens 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ramirez stands up from Stevens's guard - Ramirez perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ramirez throws a head kick that misses.
Ramirez thumps Stevens with a low kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ramirez, right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yvan Ramirez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ramirez instigates a clinch.
Ramirez tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Ramirez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ramirez gets control of Stevens's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ramirez will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ramirez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stevens passes Ramirez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Stevens decides to return to a standing position.
Ramirez throws a low kick but Stevens avoids it.
Ramirez stuffs the takedown attempt from Stevens. Stevens gets slowly back to his feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ramirez.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ramirez clinches up against the cage.
Ramirez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ramirez misses with a knee strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ramirez.
Ramirez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stevens has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ramirez looking to throw knees to the head but Stevens is blocking nicely.
Ramirez landing knees to the head.
Ramirez looking to throw knees to the head but Stevens is blocking nicely.
Ramirez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ramirez tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ramirez obliges.
Stevens looking for a takedown.
Stevens wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ramirez has Stevens pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ramirez pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Stevens tumbling to the mat - Ramirez dives into Stevens's guard.
Ramirez looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez wants to stand but Stevens has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Stevens wriggles free and stands up.
Stevens is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ramirez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ramirez tries to close the distance and clinch but Stevens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stevens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez doesn't manage to clinch there - Stevens circles away.

Ramirez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ramirez looking to throw knees to the head but Stevens is blocking nicely.
Stevens tries for a takedown but Ramirez manages to get underhooks.
Ramirez tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.
Ramirez misses with a knee strike.
Stevens drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ramirez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ramirez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ramirez lands a knee to the head.
Ramirez jumps guard but Stevens stands there with Ramirez around his waist. Ramirez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stevens tries to score a body lock takedown but Ramirez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ramirez connects with a knee to the head.

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.
Stevens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ramirez is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Ramirez looking to throw knees to the head but Stevens is blocking nicely.
Stevens drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stevens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ramirez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ramirez tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ramirez.
Stevens is working for takedown but Ramirez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ramirez scores a nice knee to the body.
Ramirez misses with a knee strike.
Ramirez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ramirez tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.
Ramirez tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.
Ramirez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ramirez misses with a knee strike.
Stevens drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ramirez gets the underhooks and prevents it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yvan Ramirez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ramirez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Yvan Ramirez!