PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Victor Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jess Liaudin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevens comes to the cage accompanied by Can't Hold Us. Liaudin has chosen Jump Around as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Stevens
vs
Liaudin

175 cm
29
135 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

175 cm
31
155 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

The Dark Side

Firebird Designs - 10% Laundry commission

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Victor Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jess Liaudin!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens doesn't manage to clinch there - Liaudin circles away.
Stevens leaves Liaudin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Stevens has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stevens crunches a lovely knee into Liaudin's ribcage.
Liaudin tries to pull guard but Stevens holds him up against the cage and eventually Liaudin drops back down to his feet.
Stevens crunches a lovely knee into Liaudin's ribcage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Stevens tries to score a body lock takedown but Liaudin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Liaudin jumps guard but Stevens turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Victor Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jess Liaudin.
Liaudin fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Liaudin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Liaudin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Stevens trying to stand up but can't free himself from Liaudin's guard.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Liaudin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens wanted to stand there but Liaudin had control of the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Liaudin is keeping the position.
Stevens is looking to stand up but Liaudin won't let him.
Stevens stopping the sweep attempt from Liaudin.
Liaudin trying to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stevens stuffs the takedown.
Stevens throws a head kick that half lands.
Liaudin has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Stevens rushes Liaudin and presses him up against the cage.
Liaudin takes a knee right on the jaw!

Stevens has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Liaudin uses from the top position.
Liaudin wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin cracks Stevens with a solid left hand.
Liaudin wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liaudin postures up in Stevens's guard and throws a big left but Stevens blocks it.
Liaudin trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Stevens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Liaudin throws a big right hand that misses.
Liaudin stops Stevens from standing up.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Liaudin from controlling successfully.
Liaudin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jess Liaudin.
Stevens lands a head kick. Liaudin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevens tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Liaudin swivels and escapes.
Stevens throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Liaudin's head.
Victor Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Stevens.
Liaudin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stevens is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Stevens has Liaudin up against the cage in a clinch.
Stevens looking to throw knees to the head but Liaudin is blocking nicely.
Liaudin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stevens wants to stall.
Liaudin keeps control of Stevens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin is trying to pull guard but Stevens has him pressed against the cage.
Stevens is looking for a takedown.

Stevens manages to break the clinch.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Stevens pushes Liaudin up against the cage in a clinch.
Stevens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Liaudin.
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!
Liaudin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stevens just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stevens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Liaudin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Liaudin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stevens just stands there and leans against the cage.
Liaudin jumps guard but Stevens stands there with Liaudin around his waist. Liaudin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liaudin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stevens just stands there and leans against the cage.

Stevens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stevens throws a right hand that Liaudin ducks under and follows up with a left that Liaudin also avoids with ease.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liaudin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stevens tries to avoid it but Liaudin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stevens to the ground. Stevens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stevens connects with the punch.

Stevens clinches up with Liaudin and pushes him back against the cage.
Stevens digs a right hand underneath Liaudin's ribcage. Liaudin let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Stevens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stevens dominated that round.
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.

Stevens lands a lovely overhand right.
Stevens throws a low kick but Liaudin moves out of range easily.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
Stevens catches Liaudin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Liaudin scores with a takedown into Stevens's guard.
Stevens is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Liaudin is controlling him.
Liaudin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.
Liaudin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Liaudin from controlling successfully.
Liaudin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to stand but Liaudin is controlling the position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Stevens here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Liaudin lands a couple of elbows.

Liaudin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Stevens is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Liaudin, into his guard.
Liaudin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Liaudin pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Poor strikes thrown by Liaudin there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Stevens because Liaudin loaded up on that one.

Liaudin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Stevens has worked his arm free - good work by Stevens!
Liaudin misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Stevens struggling a bit here.

Liaudin swings around for an armbar but Stevens sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Liaudin's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liaudin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stevens wants to stand but Liaudin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
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.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Liaudin keeps moving.
Stevens preventing the sweep.

Stevens avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stevens looking to pass the guard.

Liaudin looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stevens passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin looks to move to half guard but instead Stevens has passed into mount! Damn!
Liaudin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liaudin wants to control but Stevens is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but Liaudin is holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jess Liaudin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Stevens's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Liaudin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Stevens trying to control the position.
Liaudin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Liaudin won't allow Stevens to get back to his feet.
Liaudin lands a couple of elbows.
Liaudin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Liaudin trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liaudin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Stevens haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Liaudin has gone for a leg lock! Stevens slips out almost immediately though and dives into Liaudin's guard.
Stevens wants to stand but Liaudin is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Liaudin keeps moving.
Liaudin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevens is one step ahead there.

Liaudin looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Stevens has picked Liaudin up and slammed him! Liaudin can't keep hold of the triangle and Stevens manages to pass to side control!
You can see the frustration on Liaudin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stevens tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Stevens wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Liaudin regains half guard.
Liaudin trying to control here.
Stevens is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Liaudin has a hand on Stevens's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Stevens takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Liaudin is desperately trying to improve his position but Stevens has a good base and remains in mount.
Liaudin tries to hold on but Stevens postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens prevents Liaudin from getting the reversal.
Jess Liaudin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stevens controlling the pace for now.

Stevens stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Liaudin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stevens.
Victor Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to clinch.
Liaudin circles away from the clinch attempt.

Liaudin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Stevens!
Liaudin throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Stevens struggling a bit here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Liaudin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stevens has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jess Liaudin really dominated that round.
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.

Stevens displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Liaudin.
Liaudin walks into a straight right hand from Stevens.
Liaudin moves out of range of the body kick from Stevens.
Liaudin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevens as he jumps to the side.
An inside leg kick from Stevens misses.
Stevens misses with a head kick.
Liaudin defending well as Stevens loads up on a big left hand.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Liaudin fails with the takedown.
Victor Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jess Liaudin.
No luck for Liaudin with that takedown attempt.
Stevens throws a body punch but Liaudin moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liaudin blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Liaudin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Liaudin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Liaudin has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Liaudin there as he acknowledges the shot.
Liaudin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevens sprawls well. Stevens wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Liaudin gets slowly back to his feet.
Stevens punishes Liaudin's body with a nice straight punch.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses.
Stevens throws a nice looking combination but Liaudin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Liaudin fails with the takedown.
Stevens throws a nice head kick!
Stevens lands with a shot to the body.

Stevens instigates a clinch.
Liaudin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stevens just stands there and leans against the cage.
Liaudin is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is looking to control Liaudin's arms but Liaudin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stevens has his back to the cage.
Stevens utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Liaudin takes an elbow to the forehead.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Stevens pulls guard.
Stevens wants to stand up but Liaudin is controlling him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Liaudin controlling from the top position.

Liaudin gets to his feet. Stevens looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Liaudin is defended easily by Stevens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevens rushes Liaudin and presses him up against the cage.
Stevens is stalling here.
Stevens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Liaudin.
Liaudin jumps guard but Stevens stands there with Liaudin around his waist. Liaudin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liaudin tries to pull guard but Stevens won't allow it.

Liaudin pulls Stevens into guard.

Liaudin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stevens not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stevens is looking to stand up but Liaudin won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin wants to control the position but Stevens says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Stevens escapes and gets back to his feet.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Liaudin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stevens's waist but Stevens gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Liaudin off to one side.
Liaudin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liaudin blocks a head kick by Stevens.
A jab from Stevens misses.
Liaudin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stevens as he avoids it easily.
Stevens looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stevens jabs Liaudin right on the nose. Liaudin blinks but takes it well.
Liaudin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liaudin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stevens sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Liaudin somewhat.
Stevens scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stevens had his way with Jess Liaudin in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Liaudin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stevens sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Liaudin somewhat.
Stevens displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Liaudin.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stevens.
Stevens jabs at Liaudin's body.
Stevens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Liaudin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Stevens 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.
Stevens scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens lands with a kick to the temple. Liaudin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liaudin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stevens swinging wildly here.
Liaudin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Victor Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jess Liaudin.
Liaudin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Stevens connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liaudin shoots for a double leg takedown but Stevens sprawls well. He's pushed Liaudin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Liaudin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Liaudin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stevens as he avoids it easily.

Stevens rushes Liaudin and presses him up against the cage.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liaudin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stevens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Liaudin misses with a takedown attempt
and Stevens counters with a nice low kick that buckles Liaudin's knee momentarily.
Stevens throws a head kick but Liaudin moves out of range.
Liaudin fails with a takedown attempt.

Liaudin gets tackled into the cage by Stevens. Stevens maintains the clinch.
Victor Stevens has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice uppercut there from Stevens.
Stevens delivers a nice body kick.

Stevens clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stevens pulls guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Liaudin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Liaudin trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens working a defensive guard here.
Stevens tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Liaudin is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevens has wrist control.
Stevens lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Liaudin!

Liaudin bucks Stevens off and manages to get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Liaudin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Liaudin wants to take a breather but Stevens is having none of it.
Stevens tries to roll over but Liaudin keeps him under control.
Stevens is trying to stand up here but Liaudin is controlling him well.
Liaudin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stevens is staying active underneath Liaudin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Liaudin is looking to advance position but Stevens won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens gets full guard.
Liaudin throws a big elbow that misses.

Liaudin drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Liaudin as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Stevens screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Liaudin! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Jess Liaudin!
Post fight, an emotional Jess Liaudin said 'If you wanna be the best you gonna take out the best(me).'.