PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mareks Stepaneks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaster Birk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mareks Stepaneks has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stepaneks
vs
Birk

176 cm
25
134 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mareks Stepaneks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kaster Birk!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Birk.
Stepaneks is not content to let Birk control the position.
Birk tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stepaneks is trying to get back to half guard.
Stepaneks is working hard here to advance position.
Stepaneks is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Birk off and has taken his back!

Stepaneks looking for the choke but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stepaneks is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Birk can't escape the position.

Stepaneks looking for the RNC.

Stepaneks is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Birk is defending well though. Stepaneks let's go of the attempt for now.

Stepaneks working for a choke but Birk reverses nicely into Stepaneks 's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stepaneks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Birk passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepaneks sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Stepaneks is looking to improve his position.

Stepaneks looking for submissions off his back.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Birk connects with a nice short shot to Stepaneks's temple.
Birk passes to full mount!
Stepaneks manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stepaneks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Birk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stepaneks keeping moving, preventing Birk from controlling successfully.
Stepaneks keeping full guard, as Birk tries to pass.

Stepaneks working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Birk has passed into half guard!
Stepaneks moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Stepaneks keeping moving, preventing Birk from controlling successfully.

Stepaneks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Birk trying to control but Stepaneks is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stepaneks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Birk defends it easily.

Birk stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Birk misses with a low kick.
Stepaneks fails with the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Birk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Birk looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Stepaneks!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mareks Stepaneks dominated that 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.

Birk closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stepaneks to the mat! Stepaneks manages to get full guard.

Stepaneks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Birk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Birk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Birk wants to control from the top but Stepaneks keeps moving.

Stepaneks has his foot on Birk's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Birk works his way back into a safe position though.

Stepaneks is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Birk defends well.
Birk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stepaneks keeping moving, preventing Birk from controlling successfully.

Stepaneks is looking for a triangle but Birk pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Birk stands and steps away. Stepaneks gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Birk throws a left and a right that both miss

and Stepaneks counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stepaneks moves nicely into side control.
Stepaneks tries to advance to mount but can't.
Birk is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Stepaneks tries for a kimura but Birk is defending well.
Stepaneks has knee on belly momentarily but Birk bucks him off and regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stepaneks wants to free his trapped foot but Birk is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Birk moves into full guard.
Birk wants to sweep here but Stepaneks controlling him for the moment.

Birk manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Birk is breathing heavily.
Stepaneks shoots in and drives through. Birk sprawls well.

Birk closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Stepaneks tries to improve position but can't.

Birk stands up.
Birk tries to clinch but Stepaneks moves away

and Stepaneks counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birk tries to kick Stepaneks off but Stepaneks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Stepaneks is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Birk sees it coming and defends easily.
Stepaneks trying to pass the guard but Birk defending well.

Stepaneks seems to be looking for submissions.

Stepaneks is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Birk works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birk keeping full guard, as Stepaneks tries to pass.
Stepaneks pushes down on Birk's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Stepaneks uses his free foot to push down on Birk's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Birk.
Stepaneks works his way to his opponent's back.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Stepaneks is working for a rear naked choke. Birk is not defending it well and Stepaneks has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Birk refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Birk's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mareks Stepaneks!