PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lyle Willems (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevens comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Can't Hold Us kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Victor Stevens will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Willems
vs
Stevens

162 cm
34
144 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

175 cm
32
135 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lyle Willems!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Victor Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut lands for Willems. That snapped Stevens's head back.

Willems throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stevens tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Willems is in Stevens's guard.
Willems postures up and lands a big shot to Stevens's brow.
Willems is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevens has wrist control.
Willems trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Willems has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Willems pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stevens is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Willems is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevens has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willems throws a big elbow that misses.
Stevens is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Willems sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stevens's guard.
Willems wants to free his trapped foot but Stevens is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Willems has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Willems lands a big shot there that rocks Stevens but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Stevens wants to control but Willems is having none of it.
Willems landing strikes from the mount and Stevens is in trouble!
Stevens regains half guard.
Willems thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stevens's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens moves into full guard.
Willems with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stevens can't keep his opponent in guard - Willems advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Willems tries to pass to full mount but Stevens defends it.
Willems is keen to just control but Stevens is a slippery customer.
Willems works his foot free and advances to mount.
Poor strikes thrown by Willems there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willems throwing strikes but Stevens bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Willems looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevens is one step ahead there.
Willems looking to control.

Willems throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Willems looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stevens postures up.

Willems is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Willems looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Willems is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Willems trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Willems throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Willems wants to sweep here but Stevens controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Willems not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyle Willems dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stevens swings for the body but Willems moves out of range.
Willems tries to counter with a takedown but Stevens is quick to defend against it.
Willems misses with a hook.
Stevens checks the leg kick.
Willems fails with a takedown attempt.
Willems lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Willems throws a hook but Stevens blocks it.
Stevens lands a head kick!
Stevens shoots in for a takedown but Willems shows good takedown defense.
Willems drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stevens sprawls and moves away.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
A combination from Willems does no damage.
Stevens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Willems throws out the jab.
Willems is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stevens can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Willems bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
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!
Stevens is not content to let Willems control the position.
Willems tries to move into full mount but can't pass Stevens's legs.
Lyle Willems overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is looking for a sweep.
Stevens prevents Willems from moving into mount.
Willems in side control, throwing shots but Stevens defends.
Stevens manages to work his way to half guard, despite Willems's best efforts.
Willems trying to control the action but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Stevens trying to control from the bottom.
Willems passes the guard and advances to mount!
Willems trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to control but Willems is having none of it.

Willems goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Stevens turns into him and now he's in Willems's guard.
Stevens tries to stand but Willems is controlling from the bottom.
Willems keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willems looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Stevens puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Willems is looking for a sweep. Stevens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stevens tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Stevens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Willems does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stevens is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Willems is not content to let Stevens control the position.
Willems is looking for a sweep. Stevens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Willems wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Willems looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Willems managing to block the knees to the body from Stevens.
Stevens scores a nice knee to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Willems tries a body shot but Stevens blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Willems trying to stall but Stevens improves his position.
Stevens is pressed up against the cage. Willems has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stevens down to the mat. Stevens avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Stevens fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
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 Lyle Willems 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.

Willems throws a shot from downtown. Stevens moves away and avoids it.

Willems closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Willems lands in his opponent's guard.
Willems might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Willems trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Stevens manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Willems isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Stevens stacks Willems on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Stevens!
Willems is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stevens off and has taken his back!
Willems throwing sloppy strikes.
Willems wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy.
Willems missing with punches from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willems tries to get the hooks in deep but Stevens pushed the leg off.
Willems scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Stevens is looking for a way out.

Stevens won't enjoy being in this position. Willems looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Stevens is tapping - it's over boys! Willems picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Lyle Willems!
Lyle Willems decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.