PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Badou Baha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Baha
vs
Stevenson

187 cm
16
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
18
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Badou Baha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baha misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevenson.

Baha rushes Stevenson and presses him up against the ropes.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Baha.
Baha pushes Stevenson back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baha lands a shot to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Baha.
Stevenson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Baha avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Baha softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Baha lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Baha lands with a left to the head.
Baha lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Baha lands with a short shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baha is working Stevenson over against the ropes.
Baha lands with a left to the head.
Baha lands an uppercut.
Baha stops a takedown attempt from Stevenson.
Baha scores with a nice hook to the head.
Still in the clinch, Baha scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stevenson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Badou Baha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Stevenson.
Baha effectively controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson is looking for a takedown.
Baha lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Baha lands an uppercut.
Stevenson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baha is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A body shot lands from Baha.
Stevenson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baha is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Baha digs a right hand into Stevenson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Stevenson's gas tank.
Baha lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Baha scores with a nice hook to the head.
Baha lands a body punch.
Baha scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Baha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Baha gets through Stevenson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Baha is leaning against Stevenson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Baha lands a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baha.
Stevenson looks winded!
Baha lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Baha lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baha is working Stevenson over against the ropes.
Nice body punch from Baha.
A nice right hand lands inside from Baha.
Baha lands with a short shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Baha.
Baha lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Baha lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Baha.
Baha makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Baha scores with a hook to the body.
Baha pushes Stevenson back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Baha lands a shot to the body.
Baha presses Stevenson against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Baha lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Baha.
Baha lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baha.
Baha lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Baha scores with a nice hook to the head.
Baha lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baha lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
A right hand to the body from Baha.
Baha lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stevenson is working for takedown but Baha is calmly controlling the position for now.
Baha lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Baha lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Baha lands a shoulder strike.
Baha working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Baha scores with a shot to the side of Stevenson's head.
Baha works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baha digs a right hand into Stevenson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Stevenson's gas tank.
Baha lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Baha works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baha lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
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!
Baha digs a right hand underneath Stevenson's ribcage. Stevenson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Baha lands with a short shot to the head.
Stevenson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baha pulls his leg out and moves away.
Baha bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stevenson's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Baha lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Baha cracks Stevenson with a good jab.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baha as he jumps to the side.
Baha just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevenson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Baha jabs Stevenson right on the nose. Stevenson blinks but takes it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Badou Baha dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Baha lands a glancing blow to the side of Stevenson's head.
Badou Baha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baha wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Baha throws a body punch but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Baha defends it well.
Baha with a nice cross.
Baha missing with a left hand there. Stevenson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baha misses with a series of wild punches.
Stevenson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stevenson gets tackled into the ropes by Baha. Baha maintains the clinch.
A body shot lands from Baha.
Baha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stevenson can do to turn this around?
A nice right hand lands inside from Baha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baha lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Baha lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right from Baha on the inside.
Baha lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Baha lands with a right to the head.
Baha gets through Stevenson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Baha scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Baha.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Baha.
Stevenson takes a shot to the head.
Stevenson is working for takedown but Baha is calmly controlling the position for now.
Baha lands a body shot in the clinch.
Baha lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baha lands an uppercut.
A short left from Baha.
Baha working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stevenson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Baha pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.
A short body shot lands from Baha as the two fighters clinch.
Baha stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Baha scores with a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Baha walks away with a smile on his face. Stevenson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Badou Baha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Stevenson.
Stevenson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baha.
Stevenson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stevenson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Baha gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Badou Baha has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A body shot lands from Baha.
Stevenson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Baha working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Baha cracks Stevenson with a nice body shot.
Baha lands a body punch in the clinch.
Baha lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Baha works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baha is working Stevenson over against the ropes.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baha.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baha scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Baha pushes Stevenson back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baha lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Baha lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Baha.
Stevenson wants to take the fight to the mat but Baha manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Baha working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Baha scores with a shot to the side of Stevenson's head.
Baha lands a right hand.
Baha makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Baha pushes Stevenson back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baha.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baha lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Baha lands a shoulder strike.
Stevenson tries for a takedown but Baha manages to get underhooks.
Baha lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baha lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Baha lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baha lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Stevenson wants a takedown.
Baha lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short left from Baha.
Baha lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Baha works on Stevenson's body with a couple of short punches.
A shot in the inside from Baha.
Baha scores with a hook to the body.
Stevenson takes a shot to the head.
Baha lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stevenson.
Baha lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baha is leaning against Stevenson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Baha lands a left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A hook to the body from Baha.
Baha digs a right hand underneath Stevenson's ribcage. Stevenson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Baha lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Baha on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Badou Baha dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Baha lands a lovely overhand right.
Stevenson shoots in and drives through. Baha sprawls well.
Stevenson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Baha stalks Stevenson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Stevenson's face. Stevenson staggers backwards, shaken.
A slow jab from Baha misses its intended target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baha. Stevenson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baha lands a glancing blow to the side of Stevenson's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baha slaps away a takedown attempt from Stevenson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
An attempted straight right counter from Baha misses the target.
Stevenson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baha swings for the body but Stevenson moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baha scores with a jab to the head.
Stevenson doesn't manage to clinch there - Baha circles away.
Stevenson fails to land the takedown.
Badou Baha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Stevenson.
Baha scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Baha lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stevenson at a distance.
Baha with a hook.
Baha swats away the attempt to clinch by Stevenson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baha lands a jab to the nose.
Stevenson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Baha darts in and clinches Stevenson up against the ropes.
Stevenson is looking for a takedown.
Baha makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Baha gets underhooks to prevent Stevenson's takedown attempt.
Baha working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baha pushes Stevenson back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baha stops a takedown attempt from Stevenson.
A left hand lands to the body for Baha.
Baha lands a shoulder strike.
Baha content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Baha.
Baha lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Baha.
Baha lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Baha works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Baha.
Baha lands a nice uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Baha.
Baha presses Stevenson against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Badou Baha is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baha lands a body shot.
Baha scores with a shoulder strike.
Baha lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right from Baha.
Baha lands a body punch.
Baha pushes Stevenson back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baha digs a right hand underneath Stevenson's ribcage. Stevenson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Baha lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baha gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevenson.
Baha lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Baha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short left from Baha.
Baha lands with a light punch inside.
Still in the clinch, Baha scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Baha as the two fighters clinch.
Baha lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short body shot lands from Baha as the two fighters clinch.
Nice body punch from Baha - that landed with a thud.
A right hook to the body lands for Baha.
A short left from Baha.
Baha working some nice short punches in the clinch.
James Stevenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stevenson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Baha lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stevenson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Badou Baha showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baha has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:24
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:24
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Badou Baha!
A very excited looking Badou Baha rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.