PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jere Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fabrici Gorfal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jere Stephens could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Fabrici Gorfal's chin.

Stephens
vs
Gorfal

185 cm
28
164 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

175 cm
29
160 lbs
10 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jere Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Fabrici Gorfal!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens misses with a wild combination.
As Stephens backs off Gorfal throws a huge counter combo but Stephens manages to avoid it all.
Stephens misses with a wild combination.
Sloppy strikes from Stephens. Those never looked like landing.
Gorfal throws a head kick that misses.
Stephens seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Stephens getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Stephens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gorfal tries to counter by closing the distance.
Stephens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Gorfal avoids them all with ease.
Gorfal dodges the punch combination from Stephens.
We've been informed that Gorfal has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Gorfal misses with a looping left.
Gorfal tries to clinch but Stephens is having none of it.
Stephens fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stephens avoids the head kick by Gorfal.
Stephens tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gorfal manages to circle out of the way.
Stephens misses with a double jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gorfal pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gorfal moves away.
A punch combination from Stephens misses.

Gorfal moves into the clinch.

Gorfal breaks from the clinch.
Gorfal tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stephens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stephens.

Gorfal darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gorfal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stephens's head.
Stephens manages to get to full guard.
Gorfal pushes down on Stephens's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens is looking to improve his position.
Stephens trying to hold on to Gorfal's head to control him but Gorfal postures up.
Gorfal is keen to just control but Stephens is a slippery customer.
Gorfal keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Gorfal is looking for a kimura but Stephens is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gorfal to get the leverage.

Gorfal seems to be working for a kimura but Stephens defends the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephens is looking to control Gorfal's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stephens avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Stephens is looking for a sweep. Gorfal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stephens actively working from the bottom here.

Stephens kicks off Gorfal and gets to his feet.

Gorfal closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stephens did well to prevent Gorfal getting side control.
Stephens knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gorfal on the ground.
Stephens tries to get to full guard but Gorfal has control of the leg.
Stephens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gorfal.
Gorfal uses his free foot to push down on Stephens's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Stephens.
Stephens really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorfal tries to control but Stephens wriggling away.
Stephens is trying to escape the mount.
Gorfal wants to control the pace but Stephens is squirming around nicely.
Gorfal misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Stephens is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fabrici Gorfal will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stephens lands with an uppercut that bounces Gorfal off the cage and back into range.
Stephens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gorfal moves to clinch but Stephens breaks away
and Stephens makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gorfal takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Gorfal gets a clinch.
Gorfal wants a takedown.
Gorfal has Stephens pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stephens manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Stephens is looking for a takedown.
Stephens is trying to pull guard but Gorfal turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Gorfal manages to break the clinch.
A lazy left from Stephens finds it's target.
Stephens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stephens wants it to stay on the feet.
Jere Stephens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabrici Gorfal.
Stephens throws a series of punches but Gorfal moves out of range.
Stephens feints a jab promting Gorfal to slip. Stephens then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gorfal slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Fabrici Gorfal has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stephens connects with a single shot there.

Gorfal is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorfal misses with a takedown
and Stephens counters with a series of strikes that practically lifts Gorfal off his feet! He tumbles backwards, his head bouncing off the mat - Stephens follows up with more strikes before the ref can step in but Gorfal was out before he hit the floor.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Jere Stephens!