PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luis Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Rivera
vs
Stephenson

186 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

193 cm
25
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luis Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Stephenson!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Eddie Farnsworth and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephenson throws a series of punches but Rivera avoids them all with ease.
Stephenson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown but Stephenson shows good takedown defense.
Stephenson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rivera's head.

Luis Rivera's cut is getting worse.
Stephenson fails to land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Stephenson. Those never looked like landing.
Rivera throws a head kick that misses.
Stephenson throws out a powerful jab.
Rivera fails to land with a series of punches.
Stephenson throws a right and a left that Rivera avoids nicely.
Rivera will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stephenson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rivera wants to clinch.
Stephenson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rivera will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A combination from Stephenson does no damage.
Rivera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stephenson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Rivera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Stephenson breaks the clinch.
Stephenson slaps away a takedown attempt from Rivera, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stephenson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Stephenson cracks a nice hook into Rivera's ribs.
Rivera is breathing heavily.
Stephenson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stephenson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rivera doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stephenson 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Stephenson.
Stephenson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rivera stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rivera looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stephenson is fending him off so far but Rivera persists. Nope, Stephenson circles away and we're back to standing.
Stephenson catches Rivera with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Stephenson stuns Rivera with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A nice combination there by Stephenson.
Stephenson lands with a straight right. Rivera didn't see that one coming.
Stephenson connects with a looping right hand.

Rivera is rocked!
Stephenson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rivera moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Oh Rivera is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Stephenson lands a left and a right that send Rivera crashing to the mat, dazed. Stephenson thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Luis Rivera's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Rivera avoids the head kick by Stephenson.
Nice shot by Stephenson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson scores with a shot to the body.
Joe Stephenson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stephenson stalks Rivera and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rivera's face. Rivera staggers backwards, shaken.
Stephenson cracks Rivera with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rivera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rivera takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stephenson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Stephenson.
Stephenson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Stephenson jabs Rivera right on the nose. Rivera blinks but takes it well.
Rivera darts in trying to clinch
and Stephenson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson throws a combination. Rivera tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rivera seems to have got his legs back now.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Rivera. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Rivera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stephenson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stephenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nice jab there from Stephenson.
Joe Stephenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stephenson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephenson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rivera.
Rivera takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rivera moves out of range of the body kick.
Rivera takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stephenson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Good exchange - Stephenson coming out on top.
Stephenson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rivera moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Stephenson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luis Rivera's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stephenson cracks a nice hook into Rivera's ribs.
Rivera looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rivera just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivera's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stephenson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rivera scrambles back to his feet.
Stephenson tries to land a front kick but Rivera steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rivera showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stephenson.
Stephenson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stephenson catches Rivera with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Stephenson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stephenson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rivera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rivera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stephenson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stephenson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Stephenson is working the combinations to good effect here.
Stephenson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rivera takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stephenson throws a good cross that connects.
Rivera is looking to clinch but Stephenson is avoiding it.
Stephenson's corner calls for a 1-2. Stephenson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rivera on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stephenson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rivera tries to clinch up but Stephenson circles away and keeps his distance.
Stephenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rivera moves away.
Rivera throws a head kick that Stephenson semi-blocks.
Rivera fails to land the takedown.
Rivera takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stephenson lands with a hook. Rivera tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stephenson scores with a sloppy right hand. Rivera should have avoided that one.
Stephenson scores with a jab to the body.
Rivera misses with an uppercut. Stephenson saw that one coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephenson jabs at Rivera's body.
Rivera takes one to the chin there.
No luck for Rivera with that takedown attempt.
Stephenson connects with the punch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Stephenson.
A jab from Stephenson does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Stephenson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rivera circles away quickly and effectively.
Stephenson looks to land a combination but Rivera avoids it well.
Nice cross by Stephenson.
Stephenson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rivera.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivera shoots in and drives through. Stephenson sprawls well.
Stephenson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rivera.
Rivera takes a jab right on the kisser.
Stephenson throws a right hand that Rivera ducks under and follows up with a left that Rivera also avoids with ease.
Rivera throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera fails to land the takedown.
Stephenson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Stephenson cracks Rivera with an open hand slap.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stephenson as he jumps to the side.
Stephenson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Stephenson lands a nice hook to Rivera's body. Rivera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Luis Rivera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice sprawl there from Stephenson as Rivera shoots in.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivera moves out of range as Stephenson throws a body kick.
Stephenson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rivera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Stephenson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Luis Rivera's cut.
That's time! Rivera's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stephenson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rivera.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown but Stephenson shows good takedown defense.
Rivera shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stephenson defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Stephenson misses.
Stephenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stephenson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stephenson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stephenson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stephenson lands a lovely overhand right.
Stephenson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Stephenson throws a one two combo.
Rivera takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rivera is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stephenson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stephenson.
Rivera needs to keep his hands up - Stephenson had a free shot at his head there.
Rivera takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Stephenson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stephenson lands a nice hook to Rivera's body. Rivera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Stephenson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stephenson lands a lovely overhand right.
Rivera closes the distance and clinches up with Stephenson, looking for a takedown. Rivera pushes Stephenson against the cage but Stephenson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stephenson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stephenson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stephenson.
Stephenson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rivera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stephenson scrambles back to his feet.
Stephenson scores with a one two! Rivera had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Stephenson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rivera.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rivera.
Stephenson throws a one two combo.
Rivera closes the distance but Stephenson moves to the side
and Stephenson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Danga de danga de dang - Stephenson scores with a four punch combination!
Stephenson misses the shot to the body.
Rivera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson dips to his left and cracks Rivera with an uppercut!
Rivera shoots for a double leg takedown but Stephenson sprawls well. He's pushed Rivera's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stephenson lands a jab to Rivera's midsection.
Rivera tries to clinch there but Stephenson circles away.
Rivera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stephenson swinging wildly here.
Stephenson lands a nice shot that snaps Rivera's head back.
Stephenson misses with a wild combination.
Stephenson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rivera.
Stephenson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivera manages to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Stephenson.

Rivera clinches.
Stephenson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rivera is trying to force a seperation but Stephenson has the dominant position.

Stephenson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stephenson throws a combination. Rivera tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rivera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Luis Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joe Stephenson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rivera misses with a few strikes there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Stephenson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stephenson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Stephenson!
In his post fight interview, Joe Stephenson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.