PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rodrick Cassel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axel Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Cassel might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Sucks to be me . Axel Stevens has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Rodrick Cassel's chin.

Cassel
vs
Stevens

175 cm
20
167 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
19
160 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rodrick Cassel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Axel Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Bruno Hogan and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassel tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Stevens to counter with a crisp jab.
Cassel misses with a takedown
and Stevens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cassel has his takedown stuffed
and Stevens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Stevens moves into range and clinches up with Cassel.
Cassel is trying to force a seperation but Stevens has the dominant position.
Stevens stops a takedown attempt from Cassel.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrick Cassel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens is pressed up against the cage. Cassel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stevens down to the mat. Stevens avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cassel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stevens.
Stevens lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cassel at a distance.
Cassel tries for a takedown but Stevens circles away easily
and Stevens counters with a left to the body.
Cassel is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cassel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stevens moves into the clinch.
Stevens lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Stevens scores with a shot to the side of Cassel's head.
A knee to the head by Stevens.
Stevens unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Stevens working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stevens scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stevens utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Stevens lands a nice uppercut.
Stevens scores with a shoulder strike.
Stevens lands with a left to the head.
Stevens crunches a lovely knee into Cassel's ribcage.
Stevens lands a shot to the body.
Nice elbow from Stevens.
Stevens lands an elbow just above Cassel 's eye.
Stevens works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stevens lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
A shot in the inside from Stevens.
A knee to the head by Stevens.
Stevens lands a left hand.
Stevens gets through Cassel's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stevens lands a shot to the body.
Stevens is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Stevens lands with a short shot to the head.
A hook to the body from Stevens.
Stevens scores with a hook to the body.
Stevens scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stevens scores a nice knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left hand lands to the body for Stevens.
Nice body punch from Stevens.
Stevens works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stevens lands with a left to the head.
Stevens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stevens lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands an uppercut.
Stevens lands a nice shot to the body.
Stevens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stevens lands a left hand.
Stevens lands a damaging elbow.
A short body shot lands from Stevens as the two fighters clinch.
Stevens scores with a hook to the body.
Stevens connects with a knee to the head.
A short right from Stevens.
A short right from Stevens.
Cassel is trying to force a seperation but Stevens has the dominant position.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stevens scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stevens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stevens lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Stevens.
Still in the clinch, Stevens scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stevens lands a good knee to the midsection. Cassel won't want to take too many of those.
Stevens lands an uppercut.
Stevens throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cassels head.
A short body shot lands from Stevens as the two fighters clinch.
Stevens landing knees to the head.
Stevens lands a nice shot to the body.
Stevens lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stevens works on Cassel's body with a couple of short punches.
Stevens pushes Cassel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
Stevens lands a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Stevens.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike.
Stevens lands with a light punch inside.
Stevens lands an elbow just above Cassel 's eye.
Stevens lands a shot to the body.
Cassel takes a shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Stevens.
Stevens lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stevens lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
Stevens throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Cassel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stevens lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Cassel tries to circle away but Stevens has him pinned against the cage.
Cassel wants to break free but Stevens has control.
Cassel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stevens throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cassel blocks it with crossed arms.
A right handed body shot lands from Stevens.
Stevens comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Stevens doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stevens throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cassels head.
Stevens lands a nice knee to the body.
Nice body punch from Stevens - that landed with a thud.
Stevens lands a hook that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
Stevens misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens can't find room to land a body shot as Cassel controls the action.
Cassel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cassel tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stevens pushes Cassel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Stevens looking to throw knees to the head but Cassel is blocking nicely.
Cassel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stevens gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Cassel has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stevens uses from the top position.
Stevens looking to pass the guard.
Stevens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stevens thows a big elbow that misses.
Cassel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cassel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevens manages to get himself to full guard.
Cassel wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Axel Stevens dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stevens connects with an inside leg kick.
Stevens misses with a straight right.
Cassel with a poor takedown
and Stevens counters with a big head kick but Cassel shrugs it off.

Stevens has Cassel up against the cage in a clinch.
Cassel is looking to break free of the clinch but Stevens has double underhooks.
Cassel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Axel Stevens seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cassel is working for takedown but Stevens is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cassel can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrick Cassel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cassel or not.
Nice body punch from Stevens - that landed with a thud.
Stevens landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Stevens using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Stevens throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cassels head.
Cassel takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stevens.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice body punch from Stevens.
Cassel tries for a takedown but Stevens manages to get underhooks.
Stevens lands a damaging elbow.
Stevens lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stevens lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens lands with a light punch inside.
Stevens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stevens lands with a left to the head.
Cassel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Cassel takes a shot to the head.
Cassel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stevens gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stevens lands a body punch in the clinch.
Stevens scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stevens landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Stevens lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Stevens.
Cassel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stevens comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Stevens is working Cassel over against the cage.
A knee to the head by Stevens.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stevens lands a shot to the body.
Stevens lands with a light punch inside.
Stevens cracks Cassel with a nice body shot.
Stevens lands with a short shot to the head.
Stevens connects with a knee to the head.
Cassel tries to score a body lock takedown but Stevens shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Stevens lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
Stevens lands with a right to the head.
Stevens lands a body punch.
Stevens putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cassel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stevens scores a nice knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Stevens as the two fighters clinch.
Stevens lands a nice shot to the body.
Stevens with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Stevens can't find room to land a body shot as Cassel controls the action.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
With the fighters up against the cage, Stevens throws an elbow but misses.
Cassel is working for takedown but Stevens is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stevens throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cassels head.
Stevens lands with a light punch inside.
Cassel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stevens pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cassel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A body shot lands from Stevens.
Still in the clinch, Stevens scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cassel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stevens gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Stevens misses with a body punch.
Cassel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cassel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stevens gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stevens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cassel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stevens connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cassel's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands a body shot.
Cassel drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stevens pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cassel has his takedown stuffed
and Stevens counters with a right hand to the body.
Rodrick Cassel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Stevens takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Cassel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stevens can pounce on him.

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

Stevens had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cassel defends it easily.

Stevens is looking for a triangle here but Cassel uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Cassel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is trying to get back to half guard.
Stevens sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cassel passes the guard and advances to mount!
Stevens is desperately trying to improve his position but Cassel has a good base and remains in mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cassel looking to control but Stevens is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Stevens is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Axel Stevens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Cassel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevens sprawls well. Stevens wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cassel gets slowly back to his feet.
Cassel with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stevens counters by clinching up.
Cassel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stevens is pressed up against the cage. Cassel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stevens down to the mat. Stevens avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrick Cassel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cassel swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stevens counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cassel thinking.
Cassel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cassel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stevens scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cassel misses with a combination

and Stevens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stevens lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cassel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stevens lands a knee to the head.
Stevens works on Cassel's body with a couple of short punches.
A short uppercut from Stevens.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevens scores with a hook to the body.
Stevens lands an elbow that stopped Cassel in his tracks for a moment.
A short right from Stevens on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Stevens scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Stevens as the two fighters clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A shot in the inside from Stevens.
Stevens landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Stevens lands a body punch.
Stevens connects with a knee to the head.
Stevens lands a shot to the body.
Stevens presses Cassel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stevens lands with a right to the head.
Stevens cracks Cassel with a nice body shot.
Stevens presses Cassel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stevens scores with a shoulder strike.
Cassel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Cassel manages to pull guard.
Cassel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stevens passes Cassel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Cassel is trying to stand up here but Stevens is controlling him well.
Stevens lands with a punch from half guard.
Cassel wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stevens thows a huge punch but Cassel dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stevens.

Stevens is looking for a kimura here.
Stevens not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rodrick Cassel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cassel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stevens.
Cassel looks like he's trying to stand up.
Stevens trying to control from half guard but Cassel is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens working Cassel over with strikes.
Stevens tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cassel knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Stevens not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stevens passes to full mount!
Cassel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Cassel is trying to escape the mount.
Stevens postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cassel looks a forlorn figure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stevens goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Cassel turns into him and now he's in Stevens's guard.

Stevens is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stevens wants to sweep here but Cassel controlling him for the moment.
Cassel trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Axel Stevens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cassel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stevens is pulling down on Cassel's head to control his posture.
Cassel postures up in Stevens's guard and throws a big left but Stevens blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Axel 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 26:30

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