PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Couture could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Craig Stevenson's chin.

Couture
vs
Stevenson

168 cm
25
135 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
137 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Just Fight

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Craig Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Stevenson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stevenson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Stevenson throws a nice looking combination but Couture bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Couture throws a right hand that Stevenson ducks under and follows up with a left that Stevenson also avoids with ease.
Stevenson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stevenson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Couture manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stevenson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Stevenson scores with a one two! Couture had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Couture looks to land a combination but Stevenson avoids it well.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ryan Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Stevenson.
Couture misses with a straight right.
Couture misses with a leg kick
and Stevenson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson fails to land with a series of punches.
Stevenson throws a head kick but Couture moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture throws a body punch but Stevenson moves out of range.
Couture throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A cross from Stevenson lands.

Couture moves into range and clinches up with Stevenson.
Couture wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Couture has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Couture wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stevenson has him pressed against the cage.

Stevenson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Couture fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Stevenson on the side of the head.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt - Couture sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stevenson checks a leg kick.
Couture tests Stevenson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stevenson lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stevenson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Couture scrambles back to his feet.
Couture's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stevenson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Couture scrambles back to his feet.
Stevenson throws a head kick but Couture moves out of range.
Stevenson is looking to clinch.
Couture lands a jab to the nose.
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!
Couture works Stevenson's body with a nice hook.

Couture closes the distance and pushes Stevenson back into the cage.
Stevenson gets underhooks to prevent Couture's takedown attempt.

Stevenson breaks the clinch.
Couture lands a two punch combo.
Ryan Couture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Couture throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Couture does no damage.
Couture is breathing heavily.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but Couture shows good takedown defense.
Couture tries to bum rush Stevenson with a series of wild strikes but Stevenson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Stevenson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
It looks like Stevenson is going to stand back up.
Couture tries to kick Stevenson off but Stevenson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stevenson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Craig Stevenson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Stevenson fails to land the takedown.
Couture stuffs the takedown attempt from Stevenson. Stevenson gets slowly back to his feet.
Stevenson shoots for a double leg takedown but Couture sprawls well. He's pushed Stevenson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt.
Couture wants to clinch.
Stevenson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Couture avoids it really well and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Couture drives through and clinches with Stevenson against the cage.
Stevenson wants to break free but Couture has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Stevenson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Couture leaves Stevenson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Couture throws a series of punches but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson avoids the head kick by Couture.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Couture lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Couture looks to clinch
and Stevenson counters with a head kick.
A combination from Couture does no damage.
Couture slips a jab and a cross from Stevenson.
Stevenson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stevenson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Couture throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stevenson sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Couture gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Stevenson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevenson prevents Couture from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson stands up from Couture's guard - Stevenson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Stevenson shoots in but no luck this time.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that Couture avoids nicely.
Some wild striking there from Couture.
Stevenson moves in looking to clinch but Couture pushes him off.
No joy there for Couture, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stevenson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Couture was covering up waiting for the punch and Stevenson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Couture wants to stand up but Stevenson is controlling him.
Couture being controlled here, momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Couture is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Stevenson dives into side control.
Stevenson controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt.
Ryan Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Stevenson.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
Couture tried to score with a low kick but Stevenson checks it.
Stevenson throws a big shot that misses.
Couture leaves Stevenson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Stevenson. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Couture stalks Stevenson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Stevenson's face. Stevenson staggers backwards, shaken.

Stevenson has managed to clinch.
Couture can't break the clinch.
Stevenson prevents Couture from breaking the clinch.

Couture's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ryan Couture is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Couture misses with a double jab
and Stevenson counters with an outside leg kick.
A left lands for Stevenson.
Stevenson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left lands for Stevenson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Couture as he avoids it easily.
Couture's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Couture duly obliges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Stevenson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Stevenson lands a glancing blow to the side of Couture's head.
Couture tries to bum rush Stevenson with a series of wild strikes but Stevenson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Couture swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Couture misses.
Stevenson throws a series of punches but Couture moves out of range.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but Couture shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Couture fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stevenson tries to clinch up but Couture circles away and keeps his distance.
Stevenson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Couture counters with a one-two to the body.
Couture throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Stevenson counters with a single leg into guard. Couture didn't expect that.
Stevenson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Let's hope that Stevenson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Craig Stevenson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Some wild striking there from Couture.
Couture stuffs the takedown.
Couture misses with a combination
and Stevenson counters with a series of strikes. Couture will be more careful next time no doubt.
Stevenson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stevenson misses with a few strikes there.
Stevenson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stevenson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Couture sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stevenson somewhat.
Craig Stevenson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ryan Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Stevenson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture clinches.
Couture has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stevenson is looking to take this one to the mat.

Stevenson successfully pulls guard.
Couture is looking to stand up but Stevenson won't let him.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stevenson can do anything to dispel that myth.

Stevenson has his feet on Couture's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Couture throws a right hand that Stevenson ducks under and follows up with a left that Stevenson also avoids with ease.
Stevenson fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Stevenson.
Stevenson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Couture.
Couture lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stevenson circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick misses from Stevenson.
Couture lands a jab-cross combination.
Couture stalks Stevenson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Stevenson's face. Stevenson staggers backwards, shaken.
Couture wants to clinch.

Stevenson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Stevenson is staying tight to Couture's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Couture trying to remain calm as Stevenson controls from the top position.
Craig Stevenson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stevenson stands up and beckons Couture to his feet.
Stevenson shoots in but no luck this time.
Ryan Couture has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Some wild striking there from Couture.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevenson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Couture tries to avoid it but Stevenson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Couture to the ground. Couture escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stevenson misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Stevenson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stevenson 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Stevenson!
Craig Stevenson managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Just Fight, into his post fight interview.