PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Kimura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Stevens's choice of entrance music: Johnny Nash - "Stir It Up". Michael Kimura has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kimura
vs
Stevens

168 cm
26
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
27
147 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Kimura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jake Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kimura is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stevens sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stevens shoots in looking for a takedown. Kimura tries to sprawl out of it but Stevens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kimura manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Stevens shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kimura wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens slips a nice elbow through Kimura's hands, connecting with Kimura's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura tries to roll over but Stevens keeps him under control.
Kimura trying to hold on to Stevens's head to control him but Stevens postures up.
Kimura is pressing down on Stevens's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stevens's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stevens throws an elbow that misses. Kimura uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stevens's guard. Nice move by Kimura!

Kimura is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kimura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stevens is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kimura has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stevens is proving hard to escape from.
Stevens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kimura passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Stevens is looking to improve his position.
Kimura looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kimura is trying to control the action in half guard but Stevens is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is looking to improve his position.
Kimura wants to pass the guard but Stevens is defending well.
Stevens regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kimura tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.
Stevens wants to control the position but Kimura says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Kimura controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kimura has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kimura tries for a takedown but Stevens circles away easily

and Stevens counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kimura wants to improve his position but Stevens is controlling well.
Stevens thows a huge punch but Kimura dodges it nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stevens is thwarting Kimura's attempts to control the position.
Kimura makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kimura.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Stevens dominated that round.
That's time! Kimura's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stevens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Michael Kimura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kimura dives in and grabs Stevens's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stevens pushes down on Kimura's head and hops out.
And Stevens tries to counter it with a takedown but Kimura pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Stevens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stevens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Stevens gets the takedown into side control.
Kimura manages to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stevens seems to be working for a kimura but Kimura defends the submission attempt.
Stevens trying to control from half guard but Kimura is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens stalling.

Stevens is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kimura tries to get to full guard but Stevens has control of the leg.

Stevens seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kimura preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Stevens is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kimura has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stevens thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Stevens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kimura keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Kimura closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stevens quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to control but Kimura postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevens is looking to get back to full guard here but Kimura has managed to pass to side control instead.
Stevens prevents Kimura from improving position.
Stevens is trying to buck Kimura off.
Stevens is trying to control Kimura's posture but Kimura avoids it.

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.
Kimura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stevens keeps working.
Jake Stevens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stevens trying to remain calm as Kimura controls from the top position.
Stevens is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kimura asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Kimura working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stevens is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jake Stevens will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Stevens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stevens wants it to stay on the feet.
Stevens closes the distance and clinches up with Kimura, looking for a takedown. Stevens pushes Kimura against the cage but Kimura circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kimura drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stevens sprawls and moves away.
Kimura shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stevens as he avoids it easily.
Stevens changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kimura tries to avoid it but Stevens manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kimura to the ground. Kimura escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kimura tries to counter with a takedown but Stevens is quick to defend against it.

Stevens shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kimura's guard.
Kimura is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kimura has a closed guard, preventing Stevens from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kimura being controlled here, momentarily.
Kimura is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

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

A momentary lapse in concentration from Stevens enables Kimura to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Stevens manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevens working for submissions but it's allowed Kimura to get to half guard.

Stevens pushes Kimura off and gets back to his feet.

Stevens closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kimura quickly recovers to half guard.
Kimura wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy.
Stevens passes into side control, despite Kimura's attempt to control the position.
Stevens has knee on belly momentarily but Kimura bucks him off and regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura wants to get back to full guard.

Stevens is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jake Stevens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stevens trying to control from Kimura's half guard. Kimura has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Kimura bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stevens's guard.

Stevens keeping moving, preventing Kimura from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kimura is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stevens trying to keep a closed guard but Kimura is proving a slippery customer.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kimura is stalling in the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Stevens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stevens winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Stevens!