PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Norman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JaMarr Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Christopher Norman has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Norman
vs
Stevens

175 cm
22
171 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

193 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Christopher Norman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, JaMarr Stevens!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Jorge Garcia and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Norman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A bone on bone clash there as Stevens blocks the leg kick.
Christopher Norman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Norman moves in looking to clinch but Stevens pushes him off.
Stevens tries to close the distance and clinch up but Norman swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stevens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stevens is looking to clinch.

Stevens feints and as Norman raises his hands in defense, Stevens changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Norman wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stevens decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Stevens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Norman is looking to clinch but Stevens is avoiding it.

Stevens drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Norman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Norman wants to stand but Stevens is controlling the position.
Stevens has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Norman is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norman is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.
Stevens throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Norman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Stevens avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Norman 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.
Stevens throws and elbow that misses. Norman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stevens's guard. Nice move by Norman!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Norman has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stevens is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevens wants to clinch up but Norman keeps it at a distance.
Stevens fails to land the takedown.
Norman tries to clinch up.
Norman wants to clinch

and Stevens counters with a single leg into guard. Norman didn't expect that.
Stevens looks gassed!
Stevens stands up over Norman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Norman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevens is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens postures up.
Stevens must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Norman wants to stand up but Stevens is controlling him.
Stevens trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Norman trying to keep a closed guard but Stevens is proving a slippery customer.
Stevens is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Norman is looking to stand up but Stevens isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevens checks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Norman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stevens swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Stevens gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stevens blocks an elbow strike from Norman.
Norman managing to block the knees to the body from Stevens.
Stevens wants to break free but Norman has control.
Norman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Stevens is trying to break the clinch but Norman has him pressed against the cage.
Norman misses with an elbow over the top.
A knee to the head by Norman.
Norman lands a damaging elbow.
Norman pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevens leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Norman.
Norman misses with an elbow over the top.
Norman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JaMarr Stevens dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stevens loads up on a big right hand but Norman slips the punch.
Stevens fails in his attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Stevens misses the target.
Norman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stevens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stevens throws a right and a left that both miss.
A slow jab from Norman misses its intended target.
Stevens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stevens checks a leg kick nicely.
Norman wants to clinch.
Norman tries to clinch up

and Stevens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stevens dodges an elbow strike from Norman.

Stevens manages to break the clinch.
Stevens circles away from the clinch attempt

and Stevens moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norman managing to block the knees to the body from Stevens.
Stevens is breathing heavily.

Stevens is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Norman can't fight it off and eventually Stevens manages to take the fight to the floor. Norman looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Norman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevens is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Norman is keeping the position.
Norman wants to stand up but Stevens is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevens moves out of range as Norman strikes.
Norman throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stevens shoots in for a double leg but Norman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norman clinches up with Stevens and pushes him back against the cage.
Stevens is working for takedown but Norman is calmly controlling the position for now.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Norman just misses with a elbow thrown towards Stevens's brow.
Norman lands an elbow just above Stevens 's eye.
Norman lands an elbow inside.
Stevens wants to get back to striking at distance but Norman won't allow it.
Norman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Stevens looking to throw knees to the head but Norman is blocking nicely.
Norman lands a damaging elbow.
Norman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Norman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
Norman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
Norman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Norman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Norman trying to land knees to the body.
Stevens missing with knees to the body.
Stevens scores with a knee to the head.
Norman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
Norman throws an elbow but it misses.
Norman pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevens leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Stevens is looking to break free of the clinch but Norman has double underhooks.
Stevens tries to score a body lock takedown but Norman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Christopher Norman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JaMarr Stevens.
Norman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Norman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Stevens tries a knee to the head but Norman blocks it.
Stevens looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stevens goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Norman just misses with a elbow thrown towards Stevens's brow.
Norman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
Norman looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stevens tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stevens tries to land knees in the clinch but Norman avoids the damage to the body.
Stevens tries to score a body lock takedown but Norman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Norman gets underhooks to prevent Stevens's takedown attempt.
Norman scores with a knee to the head.
Stevens missing with knees to the body.
Stevens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Norman is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Norman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
Stevens avoids the elbow strike from Norman, against the cage.
Stevens misses with a punch to the body.
Stevens blocks the elbow strike.
Norman throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Stevens throws a knee to the head but misses.

Stevens has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Norman clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Stevens looking for the RNC.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JaMarr Stevens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Norman instigates a clinch.
Stevens can't break the clinch.
Stevens blocks the elbow strike.
Stevens takes an elbow to the forehead.
Norman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stevens blocks an elbow strike.
Stevens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Norman.
Norman lands an elbow inside that Stevens shrugs off.
Stevens tries to land knees in the clinch but Norman avoids the damage to the body.
Stevens can't get the takedown.
Stevens blocks the elbow strike.
Norman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Norman lands an elbow just above Stevens 's eye.
Norman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Norman lands an elbow inside that Stevens shrugs off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norman throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Norman lands an elbow just above Stevens 's eye.
Norman lands a damaging elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Norman with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Norman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Norman.
Norman lands an elbow just above Stevens 's eye.
Norman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Norman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Stevens tries to land knees in the clinch but Norman avoids the damage to the body.
Norman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Norman lands an elbow just above Stevens 's eye.
Stevens tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Norman smiles and moves away.
Christopher Norman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Norman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Norman tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Stevens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stevens takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stevens is trying to break the clinch but Norman has him pressed against the cage.
Norman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Stevens tries to score a body lock takedown but Norman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Christopher Norman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JaMarr Stevens.
Stevens blocks the elbow strike.
Norman throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Norman lands an elbow inside that Stevens shrugs off.
Norman looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stevens is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stevens blocks the elbow strike.
Norman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Norman creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Norman throws an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stevens missing with knees to the body.
Norman pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevens leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Norman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Norman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Stevens blocks an elbow strike.
Stevens avoids the elbow strike from Norman, against the cage.
Stevens missing with knees to the body.
Stevens avoids the elbow strike from Norman, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Norman throws an elbow but misses.
Stevens on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Norman lands an elbow that stopped Stevens in his tracks for a moment.
Stevens blocks the elbow strike.
Stevens lands a nice knee to the body.
Norman throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Norman lands an elbow inside that Stevens shrugs off.
Stevens wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Norman has him pressed against the cage.
Stevens tries to land knees in the clinch but Norman avoids the damage to the body.
Norman creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nice elbow from Stevens.
Stevens wants to break the clinch but can't.

Stevens lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Stevens has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Norman works to full guard.
JaMarr Stevens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Norman looking for a sweep. Not yet Norman, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norman is working hard here to advance position.
Stevens throws a big right hand that misses.
Norman wants to sweep here but Stevens controlling him for the moment.
Norman wants to get back to his feet but Stevens passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stevens prevents Norman from standing back up.
Christopher Norman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stevens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Norman throws a nice inside leg kick.
Norman tries to clinch but Stevens is having none of it.
Stevens swats away the attempt to clinch by Norman.

Stevens has closed the distance and engaged Norman in a clinch.
Norman throws an elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Norman throws an elbow that misses.
Norman lands an elbow inside that Stevens shrugs off.
Stevens wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Norman has him pressed against the cage.
Stevens misses with a knee to the head.
Norman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Norman looks to throw an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to JaMarr Stevens.
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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

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