PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexej Stepanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Pablo Batallir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stepanov comes to the cage accompanied by Limp Bizkit - My Generation . Juan Pablo Batallir is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Stepanov
vs
Pablo Batallir

180 cm
24
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexej Stepanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Juan Pablo Batallir!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanov shoots in and drives through. Batallir sprawls well.
Stepanov tries to bum rush Batallir with a series of wild strikes but Batallir uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Batallir digs a good body shot into Stepanov's ribs.
Batallir misses the shot to the body.
Batallir throws a nice head kick!
Batallir lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Stepanov has a takedown stuffed.
Stepanov with a poor takedown
and Batallir counters with a thumping low kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexej Stepanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stepanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stepanov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Batallir moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Batallir throws a head kick that misses.
Batallir turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Stepanov misses with a takedown attempt - Batallir sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanov has his takedown stuffed
and Batallir counters with a leg kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Batallir scores with a four punch combination!
Stepanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Batallir sprawls well. Batallir wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stepanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Stepanov is looking to clinch but Batallir is avoiding it.
Stepanov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Batallir.
Stepanov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stepanov misses with a takedown attempt - Batallir sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stepanov is breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Batallir. Stepanov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov tries to clinch but Batallir is having none of it.
Batallir lands with a thumping leg kick.
Batallir swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stepanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Batallir swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stepanov has his takedown stuffed
and Batallir counters with a slapping leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stepanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Batallir tries to avoid it but Stepanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Batallir to the ground. Batallir escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stepanov misses with a takedown
and Batallir counters with a series of strikes. Stepanov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nice sprawl there from Batallir as Stepanov shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Batallir.
Batallir throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stepanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Batallir takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Stepanov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Batallir goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Batallir feints a jab promting Stepanov to slip. Batallir then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stepanov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Stepanov with a poor takedown
and Batallir counters with a left to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Batallir.
Stepanov shoots in for a takedown but Batallir shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Batallir lands a leg kick that knocks Stepanov off balance momentarily.
Stepanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Batallir counters with a one-two to the body.
Batallir digs a good body shot into Stepanov's ribs.
Stepanov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Batallir turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Batallir wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Batallir throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Batallir.
A good leg kick by Batallir.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Stepanov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Batallir swings for the body but Stepanov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Pablo Batallir 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.

Batallir moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Alexej Stepanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batallir looks to score with a jab to the body but Stepanov is just out of range.

Stepanov darts in and clinches Batallir up against the cage.
Stepanov tries to pull guard but Batallir forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Stepanov tries to pull guard but Batallir won't allow it.
Stepanov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Stepanov is trying to pull guard but Batallir has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexej Stepanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stepanov working hard to break the clinch.
A short right from Batallir.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stepanov jumps into guard, dragging Batallir to the mat.

Stepanov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Batallir is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Batallir wants to control from the top but Stepanov keeps moving.

Stepanov looking for a guillotine here but Batallir defends easily.
Stepanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov keeping full guard, as Batallir tries to pass.
Stepanov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Batallir won't allow Stepanov to sweep him here.
Stepanov controlling the position.
Batallir stopping the sweep attempt from Stepanov.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Juan Pablo Batallir wasn't active enough on the ground.
Stepanov shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batallir throws a head kick that half lands.
Juan Pablo Batallir seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Batallir is looking to slow Stepanov down with leg kicks.
Stepanov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Batallir pinned against the cage. Batallir gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stepanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Batallir scores with a body shot.
Stepanov has his takedown stuffed
and Batallir counters with a good low kick that Stepanov was not able to check.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batallir sizes up Stepanov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Batallir misses with a wild body shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Stepanov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Batallir - the referee stops the clock and Stepanov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Batallir. Stepanov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Batallir. Stepanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Batallir swings for the body but Stepanov moves out of range.
Stepanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stepanov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Batallir can pounce on him.
Stepanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Batallir sprawls well. Batallir wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stepanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Batallir dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stepanov. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Pablo Batallir showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Batallir throws a right hand that Stepanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Stepanov also avoids with ease.
Stepanov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Horrible takedown by Stepanov or perhaps it was just good defense by Batallir which made him look bad.
A nice combination there by Batallir.
Stepanov shoots for a takedown but Batallir saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stepanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Batallir.
Batallir connects with an inside leg kick.
Batallir connects with a solid leg kick.
Batallir thows a body shot but no joy.
Batallir scores with a hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Batallir.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batallir lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Batallir.
Stepanov with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexej Stepanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batallir jabs Stepanov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Stepanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stepanov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Batallir plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Batallir fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stepanov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Alexej Stepanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Batallir chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Batallir scores with a three punch combo!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stepanov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Batallir.
Batallir has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Stepanov takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batallir feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stepanov's calf.
Batallir lands with a slapping head kick.

Stepanov is rocked!
Batallir lands with an overhand left.
Oh Stepanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Batallir changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stepanov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stepanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stepanov seems to have got his legs back now.
Batallir ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stepanov moves away.
Batallir swats away the attempt to clinch by Stepanov.
Stepanov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Batallir.
Batallir scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov shoots in but no luck this time.
Batallir jabs Stepanov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Batallir lands a nice looking kick to the body. Stepanov takes a step back to recover.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Batallir.
Juan Pablo Batallir is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Batallir lands a nice shot to the body.
Batallir scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Stepanov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Batallir finds it's way round the side to connect with Stepanov's head.
Stepanov is looking to clinch but Batallir is avoiding it.
Batallir has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A jab from Batallir does it's job there.
Stepanov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Batallir.
Stepanov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stepanov tries to clinch up but Batallir circles away and keeps his distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A punch combination from Batallir misses.
Stepanov moves in looking to clinch but Batallir pushes him off.
Stepanov with a poor takedown
and Batallir counters with a slapping leg kick.
Batallir throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stepanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Batallir counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Batallir lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Alexej Stepanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Batallir ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Pablo Batallir comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Batallir 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Pablo Batallir!