PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Takeshi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Watanabe comes to the cage accompanied by The Handsome Family - Far From Any Road. Stevens is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Can't Hold Us. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Watanabe
vs
Stevens

175 cm
32
135 lbs
14 - 15 - 1

175 cm
34
135 lbs
18 - 18 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

GREEN!160

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 14 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Takeshi Watanabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Victor Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens throws a right hand that Watanabe ducks under and follows up with a left that Watanabe also avoids with ease.

Stevens drives through and clinches with Watanabe against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Stevens.
Stevens is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stevens is trying to stall.

Stevens breaks the clinch.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that Stevens avoids nicely.
A little jabbing left from Stevens on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Takeshi Watanabe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Watanabe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Watanabe looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Stevens misses with a looping left.
Watanabe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stevens counters with a straight right hand.
Watanabe fakes the leg kick and cracks Stevens in the body.
Watanabe misses with the combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Watanabe throws a right and a left that both miss.
Watanabe really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stevens throws a shot from downtown. Watanabe moves away and avoids it.
Watanabe avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Watanabe throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stevens changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe works over Stevens's head and body with a nice combination.
Stevens closes this distance looking for a takedown but Watanabe circles away.
Watanabe tries to counter with a takedown but Stevens is quick to defend against it.
Stevens uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Watanabe has time to react.
Takeshi Watanabe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Watanabe blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Stevens moves in looking to clinch but Watanabe pushes him off.
No joy there for Watanabe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Watanabe takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Watanabe ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
Watanabe tries to counter with a takedown but Stevens is quick to defend against it.
Stevens fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stevens connects with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Watanabe lands with a nice combination. Stevens backs away looking to recover.

Watanabe gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stevens is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Watanabe wants to get back to his feet but Stevens is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Watanabe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stevens is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevens stands up from Watanabe's guard - Stevens perhaps looking for a knockout.
Stevens thuds his right hand into Watanabe's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Watanabe tries to keep at a distance but Stevens has taken the fight into the clinch.

Stevens pulls guard.
Watanabe wants to stand but Stevens has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Stevens has control of Watanabe's left arm, preventing Watanabe from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe wants to stand but Stevens is controlling his posture from full guard.
Watanabe won't allow Stevens to get back to his feet.

Watanabe stands up from Stevens's guard - Watanabe perhaps looking for a knockout.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stevens scores with a jab to the jaw.
Watanabe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Watanabe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevens.
Watanabe takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Stevens jabs Watanabe right on the nose. Watanabe blinks but takes it well.
Stevens tries to close the distance and clinch but Watanabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe looks to land a combination. Stevens sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Victor Stevens has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Watanabe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Watanabe throws a series of punches but Stevens avoids them all with ease.

Stevens clinches with his opponent.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Watanabe works over Stevens's head and body with a nice combination.
Stevens throws a series of punches but Watanabe avoids them all with ease.
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
As Watanabe backs off Stevens throws a huge counter combo but Watanabe manages to avoid it all.

Stevens shoots in and gets a takedown into Watanabe's guard.

Stevens gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Watanabe throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Stevens dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Watanabe is breathing heavily.
Stevens showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Watanabe.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Watanabe tries to bum rush Stevens with a series of wild strikes but Stevens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stevens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Watanabe shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Watanabe throws a right hand that Stevens ducks under and follows up with a left that Stevens also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Takeshi Watanabe will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Victor Stevens's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stevens scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stevens lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stevens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Watanabe misses with the combination.
Watanabe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stevens moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A punch combination from Watanabe misses.
Takeshi Watanabe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Watanabe tries a head kick but it misses.
Takeshi Watanabe is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Watanabe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Watanabe attempts a counter takedown but Stevens avoids it well and moves away.
Watanabe throws a right hand that Stevens ducks under and follows up with a left that Stevens also avoids with ease.
Despite the aggression on Stevens's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Watanabe slips a jab and a cross from Stevens.

Stevens forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Stevens tries a knee to the head but Watanabe blocks it.
Stevens lands a knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stevens.
Watanabe can't break the clinch.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Watanabe moves out of range of the body kick.
Watanabe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
Watanabe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevens.
Stevens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Watanabe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe looks to land a combination but Stevens avoids it well.
A little jabbing left from Stevens on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevens throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Stevens lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Watanabe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Stevens dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Stevens scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stevens slips a jab and a cross from Watanabe.

Stevens pushes Watanabe up against the cage in a clinch.

Watanabe is fighting off a takedown attempt but Stevens is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Watanabe to the mat. Watanabe regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stevens's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stevens sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Watanabe's guard.
Watanabe wants to improve his position but Stevens is controlling well.
Watanabe tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Stevens has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe is desperately trying to improve his position but Stevens has a good base and remains in mount.
Stevens controlling from the full mount.
Watanabe sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Watanabe is looking for a sweep. Stevens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stevens looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Watanabe is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevens decides to return to a standing position.
Stevens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Watanabe looks to land a combination but Stevens avoids it well.
Watanabe scores with a spinning back kick!
Stevens misses with a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
Stevens swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Watanabe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stevens shoots in and drives through. Watanabe sprawls well.
Stevens misses with an uppercut. Watanabe saw that one coming.
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
No joy there for Watanabe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Watanabe tries to move into range but Stevens moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevens goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Watanabe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Watanabe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Watanabe misses with a double jab.
Watanabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stevens circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevens throws out a counter right but Watanabe avoids it with no problem.
Stevens throws a good cross that connects.

Watanabe is rocked!
Watanabe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stevens moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stevens! But no joy.
Oh Watanabe is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Watanabe slips a straight right by Stevens.
Watanabe seems to have got his legs back now.
Stevens scores with a crisp jab that stopped Watanabe in his tracks.
Watanabe looks to land a combination but Stevens avoids it well.
Stevens moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Stevens might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Stevens scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Stevens darts in and clinches Watanabe up against the cage.
Stevens content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stevens.
Stevens keeps control of Watanabe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Stevens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stevens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Watanabe circles away quickly and effectively.

Stevens clinches up with Watanabe and pushes him back against the cage.
Stevens tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stevens leaning his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stevens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Victor Stevens's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stevens throws a head kick that misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Watanabe.
Some wild striking there from Stevens.
Watanabe misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Stevens does no damage.
Watanabe fails to land with a series of punches.
Stevens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Stevens gets a clinch.
Watanabe wants to break free but Stevens has control.

Stevens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stevens with a hook.
Watanabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stevens circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevens misses with a two punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
Watanabe misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevens stuns Watanabe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Watanabe takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stevens connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Watanabe scrambles back to his feet.

Stevens closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Watanabe is trying to break free.
Stevens with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Watanabe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Watanabe tries to break free but Stevens pushes him back against the cage.
Stevens lands a nice knee to the body.
Watanabe can't break the clinch.

Stevens jumps into guard, dragging Watanabe to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stevens is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Stevens scores a nice knee to the body.
Watanabe lands with a left to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Watanabe avoiding damage as Stevens throws knees to the body.
Watanabe is trying to break the clinch but Stevens has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Watanabe's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Stevens breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe swats away the attempt to clinch by Stevens.
Watanabe throws a series of punches but Stevens moves out of range.
Watanabe slips a jab and a cross from Stevens.
Watanabe feinted with a counter takedown.
Stevens avoids a punch combination nicely.
No joy there for Stevens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch combination from Watanabe misses.
Watanabe takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stevens connects with a jab.
Watanabe misses with a few strikes there.
Stevens moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Watanabe avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Stevens forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Stevens pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Stevens fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Watanabe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Watanabe as Stevens tries to tie him up.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Despite the aggression on Stevens's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Watanabe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Watanabe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevens.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stevens.
Stevens can't find room to land a body shot as Watanabe controls the action.

Stevens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Some wild striking there from Watanabe.
Stevens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Watanabe.
Watanabe feinted with a counter takedown.
Watanabe blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Watanabe scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Stevens scores with a crisp jab that stopped Watanabe in his tracks.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt - Watanabe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watanabe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a one two combo.
Watanabe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Watanabe throws the kick towards the body but Stevens avoids it.
Stevens scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Stevens moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Stevens has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stevens leaning against his opponent.

Stevens breaks from the clinch.
Stevens scores with a hook.
Nice takedown defense from Watanabe. No joy for Stevens on that attempt.
Watanabe attempts a counter takedown but Stevens avoids it well and moves away.
Takeshi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Stevens.
Watanabe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stevens misses with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Watanabe tries to bum rush Stevens with a series of wild strikes but Stevens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Watanabe misses with a series of wild punches.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Watanabe as he avoids it easily.
Watanabe misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stevens really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Victor Stevens's cut.
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.

Watanabe throws a right and a left that Stevens avoids nicely.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
A combination from Watanabe does no damage.
Watanabe looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stevens scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Watanabe doesn't seem bothered though.
Stevens throws a series of punches but Watanabe moves out of range.
Watanabe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stevens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stevens throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Watanabe.
Watanabe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stevens counters with a three punch combo that has Watanabe backing up. Watanabe nods at Stevens to acknowledge the strikes.
A punch combination from Watanabe misses.
Stevens goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Watanabe throws a nice looking combination but Stevens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.

Stevens instigates a clinch.
Watanabe wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stevens.
Watanabe tries to break the clinch but Stevens is controlling the position.

Stevens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens lands a head kick. Watanabe smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Watanabe staying out of range there.
Watanabe thuds his shin into the meat of Stevens's side.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Stevens is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stevens tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Watanabe just stands there and leans against the cage.

Watanabe manages to break the clinch.
Stevens dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Stevens tries to bum rush Watanabe with a series of wild strikes but Watanabe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A punch combination from Watanabe misses.
Stevens lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Watanabe moves away from the strike by Stevens.
Watanabe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
A head kick from Stevens lands but Watanabe takes it in his stride.
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 fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Watanabe manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens blocks the body kick.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that Stevens avoids nicely.
Watanabe throws a series of punches but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Watanabe delivers a nice body kick.
Stevens connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Watanabe defending well as Stevens loads up on a big left hand.
Stevens throws a jab when Watanabe was well out of range.
Stevens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Watanabe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Watanabe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevens.
Watanabe drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stevens sprawls and moves away.
Stevens throws a nice looking combination but Watanabe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stevens throws a sloppy head kick and Watanabe moves out of range easily.
Watanabe misses with a double jab.
Stevens fails with the takedown.
Takeshi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Stevens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens moves in looking to clinch but Watanabe pushes him off.
Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevens throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Watanabe shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stevens eats them both and turns towards Watanabe to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Watanabe pushes Stevens away with a front kick.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that both miss.
Watanabe swinging wildly here.
Watanabe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevens.
Stevens throws a head kick but Watanabe moves out of range.
Stevens fails to land with a series of punches.
Stevens throws an overhand right that lands on Watanabe's shoulder, as Watanabe tries to avoid the shot.
Stevens feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Watanabe's calf.
Stevens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Watanabe fails to land with a series of punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Watanabe tries to bum rush Stevens with a series of wild strikes but Stevens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Watanabe scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stevens gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stevens taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Watanabe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A shot in the inside from Watanabe.

Stevens breaks from the clinch.
Stevens dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Watanabe takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Watanabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stevens circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevens connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
No joy there for Watanabe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Watanabe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stevens tries to close the distance and clinch but Watanabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stevens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Watanabe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Takeshi Watanabe will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Victor Stevens's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Watanabe takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Watanabe takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Stevens tries to land a front kick but Watanabe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Watanabe moves away from the strike by Stevens.
Stevens misses with a body shot.
Stevens throws a head kick but Watanabe moves out of range.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.
Watanabe tries to bum rush Stevens with a series of wild strikes but Stevens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stevens looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stevens throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Watanabe tries to keep at a distance but Stevens has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Watanabe's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Watanabe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Watanabe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Watanabe.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Watanabe throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Watanabe works over Stevens's head and body with a nice combination.
Stevens throws a big shot that misses.
Watanabe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Watanabe throws a series of punches but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens is looking to clinch.
Watanabe throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Watanabe avoids the head kick by Stevens.
Stevens fails with the takedown.
Stevens takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Stevens closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Watanabe did well to prevent Stevens getting side control.
Watanabe on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Watanabe tries to get out of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stevens stands up from half guard.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that Stevens avoids nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.

Stevens has closed the distance and engaged Watanabe in a clinch.
Stevens is working Watanabe over against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe tries to break free but Stevens pushes him back against the cage.
Watanabe tries to break free but Stevens pushes him back against the cage.

Stevens manages to break the clinch.
Stevens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stevens has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Watanabe.

Stevens clinches with his opponent.
Stevens unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Stevens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stevens paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
Watanabe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Watanabe walks into a jab.
Watanabe misses with a two punch combination.

Stevens forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Stevens lands a good knee to the midsection. Watanabe won't want to take too many of those.
Watanabe is trying to force a seperation but Stevens has the dominant position.
Stevens landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens crunches a lovely knee into Watanabe's ribcage.
Watanabe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Watanabe tries to circle away but Stevens has him pinned against the cage.
Watanabe is trying to break free.
Stevens lands a knee to the body.
Stevens has Watanabe pressed against the cage, preventing Watanabe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stevens unloads a knee to the mid-section. Watanabe lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stevens manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Watanabe is trying to break the clinch but Stevens is controlling him.
Watanabe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stevens has him pressed against the cage.

Watanabe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Watanabe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Watanabe drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stevens sprawls and moves away.
A head kick misses from Stevens.
Stevens connects with a body shot that sends Watanabe's belly button to the back.
Watanabe displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stevens.
Takeshi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens connects with a good right hand that stumbles Watanabe. Watanabe circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Watanabe swinging wildly here.
Watanabe blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Watanabe misses with a two punch combination.
Stevens fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Watanabe dodges the punch combination from Stevens.
Watanabe misses with a two punch combination.
Watanabe misses with a combination
and Stevens counters with a one-two to the body.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Watanabe as he jumps to the side.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevens lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Takeshi Watanabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Watanabe working hard to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Stevens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Victor Stevens!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Victor Stevens!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Victor Stevens!

Victor Stevens wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Victor Stevens thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.