PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Gagarin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gagarin
vs
Stevenson

170 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuri Gagarin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson lands a head shot.

Gagarin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stevenson keeping moving, preventing Gagarin from controlling successfully.

Gagarin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stevenson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gagarin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Gagarin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Gagarin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Stevenson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gagarin controls the pace.
Gagarin looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagarin slips nicely into half guard.

Gagarin is looking for a kimura here.

Gagarin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gagarin works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gagarin swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Stevenson is now in Gagarin's guard. A big mistake from Gagarin there, giving up the dominant position!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gagarin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevenson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gagarin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stevenson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stevenson tries to stand but Gagarin is controlling from the bottom.

Gagarin has an active guard here but Stevenson has managed to pass into half guard.
Gagarin is trying to stand up here but Stevenson is controlling him well.
Stevenson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Gagarin actively working from the bottom here.
Stevenson wants to free his trapped foot but Gagarin is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagarin is pressing down on Stevenson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gagarin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Gagarin is looking for a triangle but Stevenson pushes his legs off easily.
Gagarin is breathing heavily.

Gagarin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Stevenson has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Gagarin to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Stevenson is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Gagarin pulls down on the head and he's put Stevenson to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Yuri Gagarin!