PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Doug McSwain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McSwain comes to the cage accompanied by Devil's Dance Floor. 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.

McSwain
vs
Stevenson

185 cm
19
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Doug McSwain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab from Stevenson.
McSwain looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stevenson misses with a two punch combination.
Stevenson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McSwain blocks a head kick by Stevenson.
Stevenson lands a head kick!
Stevenson swinging wilding here.
Stevenson throws a head kick but McSwain moves out of range.
McSwain shoots in for a takedown but Stevenson shows good takedown defense.
McSwain fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Doug McSwain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevenson stuffs the takedown.
McSwain misses with a takedown attempt - Stevenson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stevenson tries to bum rush McSwain with a series of wild strikes but McSwain uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck for McSwain with that takedown attempt.
A left and a right from Stevenson both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
Nice jab there from Stevenson.
No luck for McSwain with that takedown attempt.
Stevenson misses with a head kick.
Josh Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevenson throws the kick towards the body but McSwain avoids it.

McSwain feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
McSwain throws a big right hand that misses.
McSwain in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McSwain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stevenson is keeping the position for now.

Stevenson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
McSwain has Stevenson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stevenson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
McSwain is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stevenson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McSwain is pushing Stevenson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
McSwain is breathing heavily.
McSwain lands an elbow just above Stevenson 's eye.

It looks like Josh Stevenson has been cut.
Stevenson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McSwain gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McSwain gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Stevenson regains guard.
McSwain prevents Stevenson from getting back to his feet.
McSwain is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevenson has wrist control.
McSwain in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stevenson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stevenson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
McSwain trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevenson wants to stand and escape but McSwain is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McSwain avoids the head kick by Stevenson.

McSwain scores with a takedown into Stevenson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McSwain postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McSwain wants to control from the top but Stevenson keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stevenson has momentary wrist control but McSwain slips an elbow through the middle.
McSwain throws a strike but Stevenson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McSwain is striking from the bottom but Stevenson uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
McSwain punching from the bottom.
McSwain tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McSwain trying to control here.

Stevenson decides to stand and escape the position.

McSwain closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McSwain lands in his opponent's guard.
McSwain thows a big elbow that misses.
Stevenson is looking to stand up but McSwain isn't so interested in that idea.
McSwain 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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McSwain lands a couple of digs.
McSwain lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stevenson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McSwain is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Josh Stevenson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Josh Stevenson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stevenson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McSwain.

McSwain decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McSwain throwing shots but Stevenson is blocking nicely.
Stevenson has hold of McSwain's hands but McSwain slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McSwain looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from McSwain there.
McSwain frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
McSwain landing strikes, looking to finish!
A nice elbow there by McSwain.
Stevenson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
McSwain landing punches.
Stevenson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
McSwain lands a big shot there that rocks Stevenson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
McSwain pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
McSwain scores with a couple of good head shots there.
McSwain tries to control but Stevenson wriggling away.
McSwain lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
McSwain fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Stevenson is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
McSwain landing strikes, looking to finish!
McSwain connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McSwain connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
McSwain pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice elbow there by McSwain.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McSwain lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Stevenson hang on?
McSwain lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
McSwain landing punches.
McSwain is landing with some decent strikes but Stevenson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
McSwain postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Stevenson looks a forlorn figure.
McSwain lands a big elbow.
McSwain scoring with strikes but Stevenson is staying in there.
Stevenson wants to try and get back to his feet.
Stevenson taking shots to the head.
Stevenson trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McSwain landing strikes from the mount and Stevenson is in trouble!
McSwain controlling the pace for now.
McSwain landing shots from mount.
Stevenson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McSwain lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
McSwain is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Stevenson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
McSwain working Stevenson over with strikes here.
McSwain looking to control and managing it successfully.
McSwain looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by McSwain.
McSwain fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McSwain with shots to the head and body - Stevenson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Stevenson is in a horrible position here. McSwain smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
McSwain pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
McSwain is landing with some decent strikes but Stevenson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
McSwain punishing his opponent with strikes.
McSwain scoring with strikes but Stevenson is staying in there.
McSwain tries to control but Stevenson wriggling away.
McSwain postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Stevenson looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee warns Stevenson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug McSwain dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Josh Stevenson's cut.
That's time! McSwain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McSwain changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stevenson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
McSwain landing a few strikes.
McSwain cracks Stevenson with a big right hand but Stevenson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
McSwain in side control lands a decent elbow.
Stevenson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, McSwain asserts his dominance and retains side control.
McSwain trying to control the action but Stevenson is working from the bottom.
McSwain cracks Stevenson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
McSwain working the ground and pound.
Stevenson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McSwain scores with a couple of short elbows.

That has opened up Josh Stevenson's cut even more.
McSwain creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
McSwain working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McSwain lands an elbow.
McSwain cracks Stevenson with a big right hand but Stevenson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
McSwain lands a nice forearm strike.
McSwain is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stevenson can do to turn this around?
McSwain is working Stevenson over with some ground and pound from side control.
McSwain working the body and head with strikes.
McSwain lands some shots froms side control.
Stevenson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Stevenson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
McSwain scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Stevenson to see if he's OK.
McSwain lands some shots froms side control.
McSwain scoring with punches from side control.
McSwain lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
McSwain working the head with strikes.
McSwain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stevenson keeps working.
McSwain landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Stevenson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Stevenson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McSwain advances nicely into full mount.
McSwain lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
McSwain landing strikes from the mount.
Stevenson is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
McSwain with a couple of short strikes.
McSwain with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson is squirming around, avoiding McSwain's attempts to control the action.
McSwain scoring with strikes but Stevenson is staying in there.
BOOM! McSwain connects with a massive shot to the dome!
McSwain trying to control but Stevenson is having none of it.
McSwain in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
McSwain landing shots from mount.
Stevenson is bucking up trying to escape but McSwain cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Stevenson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Stevenson taking shots to the head.
McSwain cracks Stevenson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McSwain scoring with strikes but Stevenson is staying in there.
McSwain lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Stevenson hang on?
McSwain lands with some strikes.
Stevenson is squirming around, avoiding McSwain's attempts to control the action.
Stevenson is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
McSwain cracks Stevenson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
McSwain landing punches.
McSwain working the ground and pound effectively.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevenson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
McSwain lands with some strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Doug McSwain showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McSwain has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:26
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doug McSwain!