PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dick Niaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Niaz
vs
Stevens

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dick Niaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zack Stevens!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Chad Campbell and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens wants to clinch up but Niaz keeps it at a distance.
Niaz lands a right hook to the body.
Stevens closes the distance and clinches up with Niaz, looking for a takedown. Stevens pushes Niaz against the cage but Niaz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Niaz lands with a cross.
Zack Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Niaz as Stevens shoots in.
A looping hook to the body misses from Niaz. Stevens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stevens throws a push kick but Niaz slaps the foot to one side.
Stevens shoots in looking for a takedown. Niaz tries to sprawl out of it but Stevens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Niaz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dick Niaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Stevens.
Niaz lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Niaz lands a jab to Stevens's midsection.
Niaz scores with a decent looking hook.
Stevens shoots in but Niaz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Niaz could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Stevens has his takedown stuffed
and Niaz counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Niaz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Niaz lands a right hook to the body.
Stevens takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Stevens takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Stevens falls off balance throwing a combination
and Stevens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stevens moves to clinch but Niaz breaks away
and Niaz counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stevens looks gassed!
Stevens will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niaz thuds a left hand into Stevens's body.
Niaz lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Niaz with a nice cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stevens takes one to the side of the head.
Niaz swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stevens there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stevens moves out of range as Niaz strikes.
Stevens has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stevens there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stevens is trying desperately to land a takedown but Niaz is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Stevens.
A punch lands to the side of Stevens 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Niaz throws a body punch but Stevens moves out of range.
Niaz is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niaz misses with a looping left.
Niaz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Niaz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Niaz lands with a right hand.
Niaz scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stevens doesn't seem bothered though.
Stevens closes the distance and clinches up with Niaz, looking for a takedown. Stevens pushes Niaz against the cage but Niaz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stevens takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stevens takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dick Niaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Niaz misses with a body shot.
Niaz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Niaz lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd cheers as Niaz lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stevens doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevens takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niaz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Niaz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stevens momentarily.
Niaz throws a body punch but Stevens moves out of range.
A big right from Stevens misses.
Stevens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Niaz.
Niaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Niaz missing with a left hand there. Stevens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Niaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
Niaz cracks Stevens with an open hand slap.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Niaz throws an overhand right that lands on Stevens's shoulder, as Stevens tries to avoid the shot.
Stevens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Niaz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stevens momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Niaz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Niaz misses the shot to the body.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt - Niaz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Niaz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Horrible takedown by Stevens or perhaps it was just good defense by Niaz which made him look bad.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Niaz but Niaz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dick Niaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Stevens.
Niaz works the jab nicely.
Niaz misses with a looping right.
Stevens ducks right into an uppercut from Niaz.
Niaz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stevens.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Niaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Niaz takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Stevens might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Niaz has got the better of the exchanges.
Niaz swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens doesn't manage to clinch there - Niaz circles away.
Niaz comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Stevens takes one to the side of the head.
Stevens closes the distance and clinches up with Niaz, looking for a takedown. Stevens pushes Niaz against the cage but Niaz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Niaz just misses with a punch to the body.
Niaz lands a jab to Stevens's midsection.
Niaz dips to his left and cracks Stevens with an uppercut!
A lazy left from Niaz finds it's target.
Stevens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niaz lands with a good body shot.
Stevens has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Niaz jabs at Stevens's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens throws a head kick but Niaz moves out of range.
Niaz with a nice cross.
Stevens looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Niaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Niaz looks to score with a jab to the body but Stevens is just out of range.
Dick Niaz is winning the standup battle so far.
Niaz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Niaz scores with a jab to the body.
Niaz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens dodges the punch combination from Niaz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens needs to keep his hands up - Niaz had a free shot at his head there.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Niaz.
Stevens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Niaz.
Niaz lands a nice looking body shot.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Niaz is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Niaz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stevens's head backwards.
Niaz connects with a nice looking jab.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Niaz.
Stevens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Niaz scores with a jab. Stevens acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Niaz feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Stevenss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Niaz. Beautiful body shot.
Niaz lands a nice hook to Stevens's body. Stevens takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Niaz swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.
Niaz getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Niaz scores with a punch to the head.
Horrible takedown by Stevens or perhaps it was just good defense by Niaz which made him look bad.
Niaz lands a slapping body shot.
Niaz is looking to wear down Stevens with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Niaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stevens moves away.
Stevens shoots in for a double leg but Niaz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stevens on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Niaz dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Niaz connects with a single shot there.
Niaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevens was well out of range. Poor timing from Niaz.
Niaz scores with a body shot.
Stevens shoots for a double leg takedown but Niaz sprawls well. He's pushed Stevens's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Niaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stevens can do to turn this around?
Niaz circles away from the clinch attempt
and Niaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Stevens closes the distance and clinches.

Niaz manages to break the clinch.
A slow jab from Niaz misses its intended target.
Niaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Niaz but Niaz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stevens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niaz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Niaz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Niaz scores with a shot to the body.
Stevens throws a solid leg kick but Niaz takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Stevens.
Zack Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Niaz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stevens's head backwards.
Niaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
Niaz missing with a left hand there. Stevens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Niaz just misses with a punch to the body.
Niaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stevens moves away.
Niaz avoids a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niaz throws out a powerful jab.
Niaz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stevens backs up against the cage.
A punch lands to the side of Stevens 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice body punch from Niaz.
Stevens gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens tries to clinch up.
Niaz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Niaz misses with an uppercut
and Stevens counters with a two punch combo.
Stevens throws a low kick but Niaz avoids it.
Stevens is looking to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Stevens or perhaps it was just good defense by Niaz which made him look bad.
Dick Niaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Stevens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Stevens takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Niaz lands with a straight right. Stevens didn't see that one coming.
Niaz leaves Stevens with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stevens has his takedown stuffed
and Niaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Stevens tries to move into range but Niaz moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Niaz works Stevens's body with a nice hook.
Stevens takes one to the side of the head.
Niaz clobbers Stevens with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens tries for a takedown but Niaz circles away easily
and Niaz counters with a left to the body.
Niaz lands with a straight right. Stevens didn't see that one coming.
Niaz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Niaz lands a jab to the nose.

Stevens is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Decent striking displayed by Niaz there.
Stevens is still on wobbly legs! Can Niaz finish him?
Stevens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Niaz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Stevens seems to have recovered his senses.
Niaz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Niaz connects with a body shot that sends Stevens's belly button to the back.
Niaz moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zack Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dick Niaz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Niaz scores with a sloppy right hand. Stevens should have avoided that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dick Niaz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Niaz, 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27

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