PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rajja Khan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khan comes to the cage accompanied by tubular bells. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Khan
vs
Stevens

179 cm
26
160 lbs
10 - 0 - 2

176 cm
25
169 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

KAISER
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 2, fighting out of London, Rajja Khan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khan looks to land a combination but Stevens avoids it well.
Stevens misses with a body punch
and Khan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stevens drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Stevens connects with a body shot that sends Khan's belly button to the back.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Khan avoids the body shot from Stevens.
Khan with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stevens to score with a decent uppercut.
Khan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Khan.
A lazy left from Stevens finds it's target.
Stevens takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens throws a hook but Khan avoids it easily.
Stevens blocks a jab.
Nice body punch from Stevens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan feints and then cracks Stevens's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stevens down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stevens.
Stevens looks to throw the jab but Khan is out of range.
Khan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Khan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stevens swivels and escapes.
Khan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Khan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stevens throws the left hand but Khan avoids the punch easily.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.
Khan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stevens tries to clinch there but Khan circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Khan.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stevens.
Dean Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens misses with a straight left.
Stevens wants to land a leg kick but Khan is out of range.
Khan throws a good cross that connects.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses.
Stevens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stevens throws a hook to the side of Khan's head but Khan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stevens throws a jab when Khan was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A punch lands to the side of Stevens 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stevens throws a hook to the side of Khan's head but Khan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stevens feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Khans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stevens misses the shot to the body.
Khan moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Khan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stevens.
Stevens takes a swing at Khan's ribcage but misses.
Stevens defending well as Khan loads up on a big left hand.
Stevens scores with a head kick. Khan tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Khan throws an overhand right that lands on Stevens's shoulder, as Stevens tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Khan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevens fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Khan checks it well.
Stevens has a takedown stuffed.
Stevens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevens defends it nicely.

Khan decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Khan takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stevens keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dean Stevens will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stevens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Khan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stevens throws out the jab.
Khan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Khan lands with a straight right. Stevens didn't see that one coming.
Stevens connects with a nice looking jab.
That kick from Khan tenderised Stevens's leg. Stevens is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stevens fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Stevens throws a low kick but it's checked well by Khan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Khan was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevens.
Dean Stevens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Khan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stevens.
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.
Stevens rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Khan counters with a straight right hand.
Stevens checks a low kick from Khan.
Stevens looks to land a right hand but Khan moved out of range.
Stevens lands a jab to Khan's midsection.
Stevens misses with a hook
and Khan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Khan misses the jab.
Khan thows a leg kick but Stevens checks it
and Stevens counters with a body kick.

Khan gets a double leg takedown into Stevens's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Stevens working a defensive guard here.
Khan with a nice head shot there.
Stevens is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Khan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Khan tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.
Khan stopping the sweep attempt from Stevens.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khan stands and throws Stevens's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khan tries to score with some ground and pound. Stevens controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Stevens is looking for a sweep.
Stevens defending against the ground and pound.
Stevens tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Khan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Stevens takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Khan stands up.
A jab from Khan finds it's way through Stevens's defenses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stevens is defended easily by Khan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Khan thumps Stevens with a low kick.
Khan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stevens misses with an uppercut. Khan saw that one coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevens lands the left hand.
Nice body kick there by Stevens.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Khan blocks a low kick nicely.
Khan scores with a spinning back kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rajja Khan dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stevens throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stevens works Khan's body with a nice hook.
Khan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stevens swivels and escapes.
Stevens tries to land a leg kick but Khan saw it coming and moves away.
Khan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Khan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Khan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Khan throws a head kick but Stevens moves out of range.
Khan dodges the punch combination from Stevens.
Stevens takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Stevens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stevens misses with a few strikes there.
Khan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.
Stevens throws the kick towards the body but Khan avoids it.
Stevens misses with a lunging right hand
and Khan counters with a good low kick that Stevens was not able to check.
A big right from Stevens misses.
Stevens fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Khan is out of range.
Khan ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
The crowd cheers as Khan lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stevens doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Khan tried to score with a low kick but Stevens checks it.
Khan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stevens rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Khan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Stevens feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Khans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stevens fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Khan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Khan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Stevens misses with a left hand
and Khan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stevens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Khan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Stevens shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Khan manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Khan's head.
Khan trying to control the position.
Khan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Khan is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Khan is looking for a triangle here but Stevens uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Khan manages to get back to half guard.
Stevens looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Stevens sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Rajja Khan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Khan gets full guard.
Khan 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.

Khan working for submissions but it's allowed Stevens to get to half guard.
Khan tries to roll over but Stevens keeps him under control.
Khan won't allow Stevens to pass to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Khan trying to control here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens really 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.

Khan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Khan sees coming a mile off.
Khan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Khan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Khan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stevens tries to land a front kick but Khan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Stevens lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Khan at a distance.
Khan lands a jab to the head.
Khan slips under a jab from Stevens.
Khan shoots in for a takedown but Stevens shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Khan defending well as Stevens loads up on a big left hand.
Khan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Khan takes one on the button.
Khan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
Khan walks into a straight right hand from Stevens.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevens drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens misses with a lunging right hand
and Khan counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Stevens rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Khan counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stevens's knee momentarily.
A swing and a miss from Khan.
Stevens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khan manages to avoid it.
Stevens lands a body shot.
Stevens leaves Khan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khan slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws a leg kick but Khan sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stevens misses with a hook. Khan ducked under it nicely.
Stevens shoots in looking for a takedown but Khan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stevens's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Khan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khan connects with a single shot there.
Stevens lands a nice shot to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Khan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stevens looks to land a left hand but Khan moved out of range nicely.
Khan just misses with a punch to the body.
Khan takes a swing at Stevens's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws a lazy uppercut
and Khan counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Stevens lands a head shot.
Khan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Khan throws a big shot that misses.
Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Khan.
Stevens stuns Khan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevens throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Khan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Khan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Khan misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Dean Stevens will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Stevens uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Khan has time to react.
Stevens looks to land a left hand but Khan moved out of range nicely.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevens shoots in but Khan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stevens dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Khan throws a lazy right hand but Stevens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khan doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is trying to pull guard but Khan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Stevens tries to stall but Khan uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Khan.

Khan breaks from the clinch.
Khan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevens comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Stevens thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Stevens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Khan was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevens.
Stevens listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Stevens scores with the left hand. Khan knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevens staying out of range there.
Khan misses the shot to the body.
Stevens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stevens punishes Khan's body with a nice straight punch.
Khan just misses with a punch to the body.
Khan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Stevens counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevens lands a nice hook to Khan's body. Khan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A jab lands there for Khan.
Rajja Khan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Khan checks a low kick from Stevens.
Dean Stevens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws a looping overhand right but Khan ducks down to avoid it.
Stevens jabs at Khan's body.
Stevens throws a predictable looking body shot
and Khan counters with a straight right hand.
Stevens wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Stevens throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Khan takes one to the chin there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Khan.
Khan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Khan misses with a head kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Khan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Stevens comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Khan lands a two punch combo.
Stevens lands with a shot to the body.
Stevens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevens motions for Khan to come forward. Stevens throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stevens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khan moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stevens drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khan is trying to escape the position but Stevens is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dean Stevens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 47:49
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 47:48
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Stevens! Dean Stevens retains his lightweight title!
Dean Stevens really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that [EVO] Koffin Inc. *Laundry Available* logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.