PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryder Stephens (ranked 1663 p4p, 1448 weight class) and Mancha Aisland (ranked 206 p4p, 188 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Mancha Aisland enters the cage!

Stephens
vs
Aisland

180 cm
26
160
4 - 3 - 0

158 cm
26
155
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

Underpant Gnomes
Highland Clothing

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ryder Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mancha Aisland!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Santiago Holmes and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Stephens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stephens misses with a head kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Aisland misses.
Stephens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stephens is looking to land body kicks.
Aisland feints a counter leg kick.
Aisland throws a sloppy head kick and Stephens moves out of range easily.
Stephens misses with a body kick.
Aisland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A clash of legs there as Aisland blocks the low kick.
Stephens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aisland.
Stephens backing away here, and Aisland unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens misses with the combination.
A little jabbing left from Aisland on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Aisland 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aisland trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Aisland landing with the ground and pound.
Stephens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stephens, not yet.
Stephens is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Stephens has his foot on Aisland's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aisland works his way back into a safe position though.
Aisland lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Aisland won't allow Stephens to sweep him here.
Aisland lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Aisland scoring with punches to the head and body.

Aisland thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Stephens's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Stephens is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aisland defends well.
Aisland stands up over Stephens, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aisland trying to control but Stephens is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stephens looking to control.
Aisland has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Aisland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stephens is keeping the position for now.
Stephens will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Stephens looking for a guillotine here but Aisland defends easily.

Stephens had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Aisland defends it easily.

Stephens looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aisland drops back looking for a leg! Stephens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stephens manages to kick Aisland off! Aisland jumps back into Stephens's guard.

Aisland drops back looking for a leg! Stephens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stephens manages to kick Aisland off! Aisland jumps back into Stephens's guard.
Aisland looking to pass the guard.
Aisland looking to sit in guard and control but Stephens gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Aisland throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aisland escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stephens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stephens trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stephens has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stephens throws a big right hand that misses.
Stephens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aisland swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stephens trying to control the position from guard on top but Aisland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stephens stands and throws Aisland's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aisland gets back to half guard.
Stephens is thwarting Aisland's attempts to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mancha Aisland will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stephens tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aisland is able to avoid easily.
Aisland moves forwards but Stephens connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Aisland gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stephens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aisland swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stephens trying to control but Aisland is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens is pushing down on Aisland's leg trying to pass to half guard. Aisland is fighting to maintain full guard but Stephens has managed to sneak the leg through.

Aisland looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Aisland is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stephens's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stephens's back!
Our spies down at at Monkey Business inform us that Aisland has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stephens preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Aisland.

Aisland is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Aisland doesn't have the hooks in and Stephens manages to turn into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aisland being controlled here, momentarily.
Aisland keeping full guard, as Stephens tries to pass.
Stephens loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stephens wants to pass the guard but Aisland is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aisland manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stephens manages to get himself to full guard.

Aisland is pushing down on Stephens's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stephens is fighting to maintain full guard but Aisland has managed to sneak the leg through.
Stephens is in trouble now - Aisland has advanced to mount!

Aisland working for a guillotine from mount but Stephens is in no mood to give up.
Stephens is squirming around, avoiding Aisland's attempts to control the action.
Stephens manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Aisland is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stephens tries to roll over but Aisland keeps him under control.
Mancha Aisland has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aisland working Stephens over with strikes.
Stephens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Stephens wants to get back to full guard.

Aisland seems to be looking for submissions.
Stephens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Aisland is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stephens doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aisland.
Stephens trying to hold on to Aisland's head to control him but Aisland postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aisland scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Aisland.

Aisland seems to be working for a kimura but Stephens defends the submission attempt.
Stephens trying to hold on to Aisland's head to control him but Aisland postures up.

Aisland is trying to work for a kimura but Stephens is defending well.
Stephens regains full guard. Nicely done.

Stephens has his foot on Aisland's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aisland works his way back into a safe position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mancha Aisland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Stephens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aisland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stephens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aisland throws an overhand right that lands on Stephens's shoulder, as Stephens tries to avoid the shot.
Stephens attempts a counter takedown but Aisland avoids it well and moves away.
Aisland looks to score with a jab to the body but Stephens is just out of range.
Ryder Stephens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stephens.
Stephens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stephens tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aisland sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stephens somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryder Stephens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephens closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aisland circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aisland closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stephens quickly recovers to half guard.
Stephens is controlling Aisland's trapped leg to prevent Aisland from advancing to side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Aisland seems to be working for a kimura but Stephens defends the submission attempt.

Aisland is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Aisland looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Stephens keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aisland working over Stephens with some ground and pound. Stephens looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stephens keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Stephens trying to hold on to Aisland's head to control him but Aisland postures up.
Aisland landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Stephens looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Aisland wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stephens keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aisland is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Stephens still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Stephens has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

Stephens is trying to get an arm triangle but Aisland is defending well.
Aisland manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Aisland looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Aisland blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stephens.
Stephens tries to pass to full mount but Aisland defends it.
Mancha Aisland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aisland has his hands clasped together around Stephens's back. He's all about the action.
Aisland gets back to full guard.
Stephens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aisland is keeping the position for now.
Aisland is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Stephens wants to control from the top but Aisland keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stephens won't allow Aisland to sweep him here.
Ryder Stephens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephens throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mancha Aisland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Aisland 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mancha Aisland!