PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Issac Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Issac Velasquez has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Velasquez
vs
Howard

158 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

175 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Issac Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Steven Howard!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Matheus Silva and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Howard throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Velasquez was covering up waiting for the punch and Howard finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Howard slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Velasquez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Howard wants to stand but Velasquez is controlling his posture from full guard.
Howard controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howard wanted to stand there but Velasquez had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Howard is one step ahead there.
Velasquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Howard is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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

Howard shoots in and bounces Velasquez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Howard controlling from the top position.
Velasquez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Howard is one step ahead there.
Velasquez wants to get back to his feet but Howard is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Velasquez is trying to keep Howard in close.
Howard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velasquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Howard is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Howard gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Howard lands a shot to the body.

Howard lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Howard wants to work for an arm triangle but Velasquez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Howard thows a huge punch but Velasquez dodges it nicely.
Howard content to control rather than advance.
Velasquez looks like he's trying to stand up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Howard is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Howard dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Howard closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Velasquez did well to prevent Howard getting side control.
Velasquez wants to get back to full guard.
Velasquez trying to get back to full guard but Howard takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Velasquez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Howard on the ground.
Howard working away from the top, dropping strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velasquez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Howard tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Velasquez is desperately trying to improve his position but Howard has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Howard looking to control and managing it successfully.
Howard prevents Velasquez from getting the reversal.
Howard is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Velasquez in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Howard sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Velasquez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard prevents Velasquez from getting the reversal.
Howard putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Howard controlling his opponent.

Howard working for a guillotine from mount but Velasquez is in no mood to give up.
Howard controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howard looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Howard has hold of Velasquez's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Velasquez manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Howard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Howard has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howard trying to control but Velasquez is having none of it.
Howard controlling from the full mount.
Howard prevents Velasquez from getting the reversal.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Howard scoring with strikes but Velasquez is staying in there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Howard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Howard closes the distance and clinches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Howard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A bone on bone clash there as Velasquez blocks the leg kick.

Howard bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Howard trying to control the position but Velasquez is working away.
Howard lands some shots froms side control.

Velasquez is rocked!
Howard grinds an elbow into Velasquez's temple.
Oh Velasquez is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Howard scoring with punches and elbows.
Howard is staying tight to Velasquez's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Howard decides to stand back up. Howard steps back and let's Velasquez get back to his feet.

Howard closes the distance and clinches.
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!

Howard breaks from the clinch.
Howard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Howard misses with a kick to the body.

Howard closes the distance and pushes Velasquez back into the cage.
Howard slowing the pace effectively.

Howard gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Velasquez regains guard.
Velasquez is looking to stand back up but Howard counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Velasquez.

Howard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Howard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Howard.
Howard passes to side control.
A big shot lands for Howard! That's hurt Velasquez! Will he recover? Howard fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Steven Howard!