PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Olenev Stepanovich (ranked 273 p4p, 1263 weight class) and The Royal Savage (ranked 44 p4p, 179 weight class). Stepanovich comes into the arena with Swallowing Dust blaring out of the sound system. The Royal Savage has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Olenev Stepanovich's chin.

Stepanovich
vs
Savage

186 cm
28
165
17 - 5 - 1

175 cm
33
162
19 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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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 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Olenev Stepanovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, The Royal Savage!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanovich scores with a leg kick.

Stepanovich has closed the distance and engaged Savage in a clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Stepanovich has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stepanovich.
Savage gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stepanovich.

Stepanovich works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Stepanovich throws a big elbow that misses.
Stepanovich working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stepanovich is looking to work some ground and pound but Savage has wrist control.
Stepanovich trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stepanovich is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanovich's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Savage working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stepanovich.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Savage is looking to stand up but Stepanovich isn't so interested in that idea.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Stepanovich content to stall in guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Savage takes one to the chin there.

Stepanovich throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Savage tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Stepanovich is in Savage's guard.
Stepanovich tries to free his leg and advance position but Savage is retaining full guard.
Stepanovich with a nice head shot there.
Savage keeping moving, preventing Stepanovich from controlling successfully.
Stepanovich looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich trying to control the position from guard on top but Savage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stepanovich working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Savage's head.
Stepanovich stands and throws Savage's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Savage is pushing Stepanovich's head away, looking to escape. Stepanovich manages to hold on to the position though.
The ground and pound from Stepanovich seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Savage is pushing Stepanovich's head away, looking to escape. Stepanovich manages to hold on to the position though.
Savage avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Stepanovich.
Stepanovich working the strikes but Savage uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stepanovich is trying to control. Savage wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stepanovich controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stepanovich trying to control from half guard but Savage is working away.
Stepanovich 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.
Stepanovich is looking to stall here but Savage recovers full guard.
Savage wants to stand and escape but Stepanovich is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Savage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stepanovich is looking to advance position but Savage has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Stepanovich is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Stepanovich tries to hold on but Savage pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stepanovich is trying to escape the mount.
Stepanovich tries to lock up and control but Savage gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Olenev Stepanovich dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stepanovich shoots in and gets a takedown into Savage's guard.
Stepanovich wants to control from the top but Savage keeps moving.
Stepanovich throwing strikes from guard but Savage blocks nicely.
Savage working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Savage working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stepanovich.
Savage keeping moving, preventing Stepanovich from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanovich pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Savage is keeping the position for now.
Stepanovich is working hard here to advance position.
Stepanovich is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Savage can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich content to stall in guard here.
Stepanovich is looking to work some ground and pound but Savage has wrist control.
Stepanovich postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Savage is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stepanovich misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Savage fails to land with a series of punches.
Stepanovich takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Savage misses with a jab, cross combination.
Savage throws a combination that misses
and Stepanovich connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Savage throws a combination that misses
enabling Stepanovich to counter with a crisp jab.
Stepanovich misses with a takedown attempt - Savage sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Savage looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich dives in for a single leg takedown but Savage sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Olenev Stepanovich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stepanovich has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Savage avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stepanovich has Savage pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Savage manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Savage misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stepanovich is trying to drag Savage to the mat but Savage just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Savage scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good body shot from Stepanovich.
A head punch on the inside from Savage fails to land.
Stepanovich drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Savage blocks a body shot from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Savage's elbow.
Stepanovich blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stepanovich lands a shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich is trying to drag Savage to the mat but Savage just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stepanovich drops down looking for an ankle pick but Savage pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Savage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stepanovich tries to move into range but Savage moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Savage throws a series of punches but Stepanovich moves out of range.

Stepanovich closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Savage did well to prevent Stepanovich getting side control.
Savage won't allow Stepanovich to pass to mount.
Savage tries to kick Stepanovich off but Stepanovich keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stepanovich is trying to control the action in half guard but Savage is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Stepanovich thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Savage is trying to stand up here but Stepanovich is controlling him well.
Ground and pound from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich trying to pass the guard but Savage defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Stepanovich working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stepanovich looking to land elbow strikes but Savage uses the position to regain half guard.
Stepanovich throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Savage has hold of Stepanovich's hands but Stepanovich slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stepanovich trying to mount his opponent but Savage defends it.

Stepanovich is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Savage is just riding it out for now. Stepanovich eventually gives up the hold.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Olenev Stepanovich will probably get the nod.
That's time! Stepanovich's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Stepanovich lands with an uppercut that bounces Savage off the cage and back into range.
Stepanovich slips a jab and a cross from Savage.
Savage throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stepanovich jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Savage lands with an uppercut that bounces Stepanovich off the cage and back into range.
Stepanovich showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Savage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanovich scores with a nice right hand.
Stepanovich changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Savage tries to avoid it but Stepanovich manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Savage to the ground. Savage escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Savage fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stepanovich throws a good cross that connects.
Savage with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stepanovich to score with a decent uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage takes a swing at Stepanovich's ribcage but misses.
Stepanovich feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Stepanovich gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Savage blocks a body shot from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich tries to work over Savage's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Savage swings wildly with an uppercut but Stepanovich uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right hand to the body from Savage.
Savage gets underhooks to prevent Stepanovich's takedown attempt.
Savage blocks a body shot from Stepanovich.
Savage throws a head punch that misses.
Savage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stepanovich digs a right hand into Savage's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Savage's gas tank.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich scores with a nice hook to the head.
Savage scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stepanovich can't find room to land a body shot as Savage controls the action.
Stepanovich takes a shot to the head.
Stepanovich blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stepanovich misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stepanovich wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Olenev Stepanovich. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stepanovich blocking some punches.
Stepanovich is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Stepanovich misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stepanovich digs a right hand underneath Savage's ribcage. Savage let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stepanovich goes for a takedown attempt but Savage pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
No joy there for Savage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Savage takes a swing at Stepanovich's ribcage but misses.
Stepanovich moves out of range of the strikes.
It looked like Stepanovich wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The Royal Savage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slow jab from Savage misses its intended target.
Stepanovich scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
No joy there for Savage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stepanovich connects with the punch.
Stepanovich uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savage.
The Royal Savage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Savage misses with a double jab
and Stepanovich cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stepanovich lands a jab to the head.
Stepanovich uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Savage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage misses with a wild body shot.
Nice cross by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich moves into range and connects with a jab.
The Royal Savage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savage ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stepanovich moves away.
Savage misses with a two punch combination.
Savage is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich scores with a jab to the head.
Savage misses with a wild combination.
Stepanovich tests Savage's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice shot by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich connects with a crisp jab.
Stepanovich scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich slips under a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stepanovich looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Savage is fending him off so far but Stepanovich persists. Nope, Savage circles away and we're back to standing.
Stepanovich swings for the body but Savage moves out of range.
Stepanovich dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stepanovich throws out a powerful jab.
Savage fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stepanovich manages to avoid it.
Stepanovich is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Stepanovich connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stepanovich lands a slapping body shot.
Savage misses with a straight right.
A little feinted left hand from Stepanovich on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Savage throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stepanovich counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The Royal Savage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stepanovich tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Savage swivels and escapes.
Stepanovich connects with a right hand. Savage shakes it off.
Stepanovich slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Savage walks into a left hand.
Stepanovich ducks under a wild hook from Savage.
Savage throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stepanovich counters with a low kick, right behind Savage 's knee.

And that's the end of the fight!
Olenev Stepanovich showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stepanovich, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Olenev Stepanovich!
Olenev Stepanovich decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.