PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Steve Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Mael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Anthony Mael was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Stevenson
vs
Mael

170 cm
25
156 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

170 cm
26
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

STEEL PENN'S - STEEL TERROR: Video Proven 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Anthony Mael!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mael darts in and clinches Stevenson up against the cage.

Stevenson is trying to trip Mael. He has hold of a leg but Mael is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Stevenson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mael is on top in guard.
Mael advances to half guard.
Stevenson is trying to get back to full guard.
Stevenson is trying to control but can't.
Mael is keen to just control but Stevenson is a slippery customer.
Mael is controlling the pace.

Stevenson looking for submissions off his back.
Stevenson is pressing down on Mael's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevenson keeping full guard, as Mael tries to pass.
Stevenson keeping moving, preventing Mael from controlling successfully.
Stevenson is trying to control the position but Mael postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson looking for a guillotine here but Mael defends easily.
Mael trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mael trying to control but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
Stevenson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stevenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stevenson wants to stand but Mael is controlling the position.
Mael wants to control from the top but Stevenson keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Anthony Mael was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Mael shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stevenson pinned against the cage. Stevenson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mael misses with a hook to the body

and Stevenson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Stevenson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mael throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mael can't keep his opponent in guard - Stevenson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stevenson is looking to pass Mael's guard but actually Mael recovers to full guard.

Stevenson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mael dives on top into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevenson wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Mael is now in half guard.
Stevenson is looking for a sweep. Mael is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mael is keen to just control but Stevenson is a slippery customer.
Mael wants to advance to full mount but Stevenson doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Mael won't allow Stevenson to sweep him here.
Mael advances position into side control!
Stevenson tries to improve position but can't.
Mael wants to control but Stevenson is keeping him busy.
Stevenson struggling a bit here.
Mael has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Stevenson!
Mael can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stevenson is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevenson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Mael jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Stevenson manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Stevenson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mael wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mael advances to full mount.
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!
Stevenson working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stevenson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Mael.
Mael trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mael lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Mael will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stevenson swinging wildly here.

Mael closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stevenson did well to prevent Mael getting side control.
Stevenson gets full guard.

Stevenson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mael is pushing down on Stevenson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stevenson is fighting to maintain full guard but Mael has managed to sneak the leg through.
Stevenson won't allow Mael to pass to mount.
Stevenson has a hand on Mael's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Mael takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Stevenson working to try and regain half guard.

Mael working for a guillotine from mount but Stevenson is in no mood to give up.
Mael wants to control the pace but Stevenson is squirming around nicely.
Stevenson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mael is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stevenson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mael.
Stevenson is looking for a sweep. Mael is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mael missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Mael is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stevenson is just riding it out for now. Mael eventually gives up the hold.
Stevenson tries to roll over but Mael keeps him under control.
Mael works his way into full mount!
Mael looking to control but Stevenson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson tries to reverse the position but Mael maintains control.
Stevenson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Stevenson won't allow Mael to pass to mount.
Mael trying to control from half guard but Stevenson is working away.
Mael is breathing heavily.

Mael seems to be looking for submissions.
Stevenson is looking to improve his position.
Stevenson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stevenson is trying to control but Mael manages to pass to mount!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mael wants to control the pace but Stevenson is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is working to get back to half guard.
Stevenson gets back to half guard.
Stevenson is looking to improve his position.
Stevenson trying to control from the bottom.
Stevenson tries to roll over but Mael keeps him under control.
Mael thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stevenson's head.
Stevenson wants to improve his position but Mael is controlling well.
Stevenson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Stevenson looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mael is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stevenson is just riding it out for now. Mael eventually gives up the hold.
Stevenson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mael trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stevenson has his foot on Mael's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mael works his way back into a safe position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevenson keeping moving, preventing Mael from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevenson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Steve Stevenson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stevenson avoids the body shot from Mael.
Mael pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mael misses with a takedown attempt

and Stevenson counters with a single leg into guard. Mael didn't expect that.

Mael working for a triangle but Stevenson defends it easily.
Stevenson looking to pass the guard.

Mael is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stevenson trying to control but Mael is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mael wants to sweep here but Stevenson controlling him for the moment.
Mael takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stevenson pushes down on Mael's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Stevenson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mael has managed to free his arm - good work.

Stevenson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mael has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mael tries to roll over but Stevenson keeps him under control.
Steve Stevenson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Mael!

Stevenson wants to finish this one by submission but Mael is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Stevenson.

Stevenson working for a submission but Mael is keeping him at bay.
Mael tries to reverse the position but Stevenson maintains control.
Stevenson avoids the attempt from Mael to control.
Stevenson wants to control the pace but Mael is squirming around nicely.

Stevenson has hold of Mael's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Mael manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mael keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Stevenson with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

Stevenson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Mael gets back to half guard.
Mael has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stevenson is working away from the top position though.

Mael actively working from the bottom here.
Mael on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Stevenson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mael moves into full guard.
Mael wants to sweep here but Stevenson controlling him for the moment.
Stevenson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Stevenson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mael swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mael bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stevenson's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mael wants to pass the guard but Stevenson is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Stevenson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stevenson 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Steve Stevenson!