PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tiger Mask (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mask kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Wait, what? OH MY GOD, Tiger has joined the Dark Side!!. Tiger Mask has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mask
vs
Stevens

170 cm
35
176 lbs
26 - 13 - 0

176 cm
30
175 lbs
28 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tiger Mask!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Dean Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mask was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevens.
Stevens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stevens scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Mask sees coming a mile off.
Mask throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Stevens ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stevens connects with a body shot that sends Mask's belly button to the back.
Mask connects with a looping right hand.
Stevens is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mask rather than just go for the knockout.
Stevens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mask.
Mask blocks the body kick.
Mask slips a jab and a cross from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a body kick.
Stevens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mask moves away.
Stevens is looking to slow Mask down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mask misses with a body kick.
Mask takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stevens misses with a hook to the body

and Mask counters with a single leg into guard. Stevens didn't expect that.
Mask has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mask throws a big elbow that misses.
Stevens pulls Mask in close to his closed guard and prevents Mask from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mask throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stevens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mask is in close to Stevens's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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 is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stevens preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stevens working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Still in half guard, Stevens seems content to control.
Mask works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stevens won't allow Mask to sweep him here.
Stevens trying to control but Mask is working from the bottom.

Mask is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stevens is aware though and is defending well.
Stevens stands up over Mask, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mask keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
Mask tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stevens is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mask looking for a sweep. Not yet Mask, not yet.
Mask controls Stevens momentarily but Stevens frees himself.
Stevens works over Mask with some ground and pound from guard.
Stevens stands and throws Mask's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stevens cracks Mask with a big elbow.
Stevens tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Stevens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mask keeps working.
Mask is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stevens off and has taken his back!
Mask somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Will Mask go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Stevens just trying to survive but Mask is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Mask working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Mask misses with punches from the back.
Stevens tries to escape the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mask doesn't have the hooks in and Stevens manages to turn into his guard.
Stevens stopping the sweep attempt from Mask.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mask is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Stevens dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mask throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mask throws a leg kick but Stevens moved away.
Stevens throws a low kick but Mask avoids it.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt.
Stevens throws a sloppy head kick and Mask moves out of range easily.
Mask avoids the body shot from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mask thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens misses with a head kick.
Mask is looking to score with low kicks.
Stevens throws a front kick aimed at Mask's knee but Mask avoids it well.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Stevens throws a looping overhand right but Mask ducks down to avoid it.
Stevens digs a good body shot into Mask's ribs.
Dean Stevens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stevens looks to throw the jab but Mask is out of range.
A big right from Mask misses.
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.
Mask throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stevens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mask moves away.
Stevens defending well as Mask loads up on a big left hand.
Stevens throws a hook to the side of Mask's head but Mask sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.
Stevens is looking to land body kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stevens.
Mask lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stevens swings for the body but Mask moves out of range.
Mask throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mask connects with a solid leg kick.
Stevens moves out of range as Mask throws a body kick.
Mask throws a right and a left that Stevens avoids nicely.
Stevens lands with an uppercut that bounces Mask off the cage and back into range.
Mask thows a body shot but no joy.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mask.
Mask keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens scores with a nice strike.
Stevens throws out a loose jab but Mask uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stevens misses with a looping left.
Mask steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
Stevens throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mask sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mask pivots, looking for a leg kick but Stevens is out of range and Mask settles back down.
Stevens throws the kick towards the body but Mask avoids it.
Mask tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stevens is able to avoid easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Stevens.
Stevens shoots and misses

and Mask counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Stevens slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Tiger Mask overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mask postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Mask from controlling successfully.
Mask throws a big right hand that misses.
Mask missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stevens looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mask wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mask missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mask trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tiger Mask will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mask thuds a left hand into Stevens's body.
Nice jab there from Stevens.
Mask scores with a punch to the head.
A clash of legs there as Stevens blocks the low kick.
Stevens throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Mask throws the kick towards the body but Stevens avoids it.
Mask throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stevens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mask. Stevens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mask takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stevens throws a hook to the side of Mask's head but Mask sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stevens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stevens swings for the body but Mask moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevens shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Stevens is thwarting Mask's attempts to control the position.
Mask gets back to full guard.
Stevens content to stall in guard here.
Mask controls Stevens momentarily but Stevens frees himself.
Mask can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stevens controls the pace.
Mask not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mask is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Stevens is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Mask working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stevens doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stevens manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stevens preventing the sweep.
Stevens looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Stevens scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mask manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Stevens wants to control but Mask is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Mask looking to finish Stevens with some ground and pound. This is bad for Stevens!
Stevens is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Stevens sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Stevens gets back to full guard.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Mask from controlling successfully.
Stevens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stevens, not yet.
Stevens is pulling down on Mask's head. It's preventing any offense from Mask, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mask missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stevens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mask is one step ahead there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stevens throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stevens is trying to control the position but Mask postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mask throwing strikes from guard but Stevens blocks nicely.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Mask from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Dean Stevens just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stevens misses with a body shot

and Mask counters with a shoot takedown. Stevens fights it but they end up in guard.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.
Stevens working a defensive guard here.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Mask from controlling successfully.
Mask throwing strikes but missing.
Mask won't allow Stevens to sweep him here.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Mask from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tiger Mask.
Stevens connects with a body shot that sends Mask's belly button to the back.
Mask misses with a leg kick.
Stevens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mask moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stevens throws a predictable looking body shot

and Mask counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mask lands a couple of elbows.
Mask advances to half guard.
Stevens is trying to maintain the position but Mask is very close to passing his half guard.
Stevens is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mask throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mask lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mask trying to pass the guard but Stevens defending well.
Stevens trying to hold on to Mask's head to control him but Mask postures up.
Mask thows a huge punch but Stevens dodges it nicely.
Stevens is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mask looks to land a strike but Stevens avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Mask is in close to Stevens's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stevens wants to sweep here but Mask controlling him for the moment.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Mask from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mask tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Mask from controlling successfully.
Mask trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mask working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stevens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mask trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Mask working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Stevens is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mask is aware though and is defending well.
Mask is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevens has wrist control.
Stevens is trying to control the position but Mask postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mask throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stevens works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mask lands a couple of digs.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.

Stevens working for a triangle but Mask defends it easily.
Stevens is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Mask lands a couple of elbows.
Mask stands up over Stevens, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mask throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens keeping full guard, as Mask tries to pass.
Mask throws an elbow that misses. Stevens uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mask's guard. Nice move by Stevens!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiger Mask had his way with Dean Stevens in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A shot to the liver by Stevens. Beautiful body shot.
Mask lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mask lands a jab.
Stevens thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mask counters with a single leg into guard. Stevens didn't expect that.
Stevens lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mask!
Stevens looking to control but Mask is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mask working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mask is squirming around, avoiding Stevens's attempts to control the action.
Mask tries to lock up and control but Stevens gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Stevens tries to control but Mask wriggling away.
Mask is desperately trying to improve his position but Stevens has a good base and remains in mount.
Stevens tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stevens lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens content just to control the position here.
Mask really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mask tries to hold on but Stevens postures up.
Mask takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Stevens wants to control the pace but Mask is squirming around nicely.
Mask is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Mask is working to get back to half guard.
Mask regains half guard.
Stevens wants to control but Mask is keeping him busy.
Mask is looking to improve his position.

Mask is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stevens pulls his head out easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Stevens performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Mask with the active half guard here but Stevens passes nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens looks up at the clock and then as Mask takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Stevens smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Mask looking for a sweep but Stevens has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Mask really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Stevens controlling his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mask keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dean Stevens.
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 Donald Grub scores the fight 47:49
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dean Stevens! Dean Stevens retains his welterweight title!
Dean Stevens really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $140 logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.