PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roberto Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Stevens
vs
Gracie

176 cm
19
169 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
168 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Roberto Gracie!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Stevens.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stevens throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Stevens.
Stevens showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Stevens tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gracie is able to avoid easily.
Stevens misses with a series of wild punches.

Gracie changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stevens looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Gracie swings around for an armbar but Stevens sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gracie's guard.
Gracie looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stevens's guard.
Gracie trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Stevens is keeping the position.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Stevens is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevens is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevens manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stevens creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Stevens decides to stand back up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stevens.
Stevens throws the kick towards the body but Gracie avoids it.
Stevens throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Stevens throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dean Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens is looking to slow Gracie down with leg kicks.
Gracie just misses with a punch to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stevens, right into the meat.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens feints and then cracks Gracie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gracie down.
Gracie looks gassed!
Stevens moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
A swing and a miss from Stevens.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Some wild striking there from Stevens.
Stevens connects with a solid leg kick.
Stevens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Stevens. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stevens.
Stevens lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevens cracks Gracie with a right hand to the side of the head.
A lazy left from Stevens finds it's target.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Stevens.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice body kick from Stevens.
Stevens scores with a push kick.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stevens as he avoids it easily.
Stevens scores with a head kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Stevens.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stevens cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
Stevens throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Stevens tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick.
Dean Stevens is winning the standup battle so far.

Gracie shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stevens is trying to defend but Gracie finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Stevens defends it.
Stevens wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevens is not content to let Gracie control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
Gracie is keen to just control but Stevens is a slippery customer.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stevens is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Stevens lands a head kick!
Nice body punch from Stevens.
Stevens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
A big left from Stevens misses.
Gracie moves out of range as Stevens throws a body kick.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gracie walks forward, straight into a front kick from Stevens.
Stevens scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gracie's sensitive parts.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stevens lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A lazy left from Stevens finds it's target.
Stevens lands a head kick!
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevens is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Stevens circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice straight punches there by Stevens. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stevens.
Stevens ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stevens dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gracie swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stevens counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gracie's knee momentarily.
Stevens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Stevens with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Stevens defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
Dean Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roberto Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick.
Gracie misses with a low kick as Stevens jumps back.
Stevens turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stevens keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stevens swings away with a body shot that misses

and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.

Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Stevens looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Stevens looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Stevens!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gracie takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gracie walks forward, straight into a front kick from Stevens.
Stevens throws a left and a right that both miss

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gracie is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gracie preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevens utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie thows a big elbow that misses.
Roberto Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gracie throws a jab when Stevens was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Stevens sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevens defends it nicely.
Stevens throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
An inside leg kick lands from Stevens.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stevens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevens.
Stevens throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Stevens throws a push kick but Gracie slaps the foot to one side.
Stevens connects with a solid leg kick.
Stevens throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Stevens misses with a body shot.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stevens counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gracie's knee momentarily.
Dean Stevens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roberto Gracie.
Stevens tries to land a front kick but Gracie steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice takedown defense from Stevens. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie needs to keep his hands up - Stevens had a free shot at his head there.

Gracie fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stevens sprawls well initially but Gracie persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Gracie is working for a kimura here but Stevens manages to reverse the position and he's now in Gracie's guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
Dean Stevens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie pulls Stevens in to control the position.
Stevens 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens looking to sit in guard and control but Gracie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Stevens on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stevens tries to get out of the position.
Gracie sitting in guard here, content to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roberto Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stevens 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28

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