PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fenix Espada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stevens
vs
Espada

183 cm
29
198 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

185 cm
26
190 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Zipp Zapp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fenix Espada!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Espada misses with a head kick.
Espada throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Espada throws a half hearted mid kick.
A head kick misses from Espada.
Stevens misses with a two punch combination.
Stevens lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Fenix Espada has been cut.
Stevens tries for a takedown but Espada sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from Stevens.

Stevens shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Stevens is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Espada is just riding it out for now. Stevens eventually gives up the hold.
Espada wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Stevens with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stevens landing some decent shots from guard.
Stevens postures up in Espada's guard and throws a big left but Espada blocks it.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Espada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens 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.
Stevens not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espada wants to sweep but no luck.
Espada working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stevens.
Espada is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevens is controlling him.

Espada manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Stevens clinches up with Espada and pushes him back against the cage.
Espada trying to land knees to the body.
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 pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Stevens.
Espada throws a head kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Espada looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens scores with a punch to the head.
Stevens lands an overhand right.
Stevens lands with a right hand.
Stevens scores with a hook to the body. Espada takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Stevens with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stevens tries to bum rush Espada with a series of wild strikes but Espada uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stevens looks to throw the jab but Espada is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Espada on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevens. Espada does a little dance to reset his feet.
Espada is looking to clinch but Stevens is avoiding it.

Stevens rushes Espada and presses him up against the cage.
Espada lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Mike Stevens has been cut.
Espada putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Stevens in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Espada throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stevens blocks it with crossed arms.
Espada tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is trying to stall.
Stevens looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stevens tries to break free but Espada pushes him back against the cage.
Espada with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Espada tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Espada throws a knee to the head but misses.
Espada landing knees to the body.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Espada tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stevens wants to get back to striking at distance but Espada won't allow it.
Espada tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Espada tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stevens avoids it.
Espada is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Stevens dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stevens swats away the attempt to clinch by Espada.
Mike Stevens is winning the standup battle so far.
Espada on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A head kick misses from Espada.
Stevens throws a hook but Espada avoids it easily.
Espada is looking to land body kicks.
Espada connects with a solid leg kick.
Stevens connects with a solid leg kick.
Espada lands a nice leg kick that just misses Stevens's sensitive parts.
Espada misses with an attempted mid kick.

Stevens closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Espada to the mat! Espada manages to get full guard.
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!
Espada seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Stevens trying to control but Espada is working from the bottom.
Stevens chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Espada keeps moving.
Stevens won't allow Espada to get back to his feet.
Espada really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stevens. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Espada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Stevens throws a big right hand that misses.
Espada is trying to keep Stevens in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick misses from Espada.
We've been told by Stevens's head coaches at Bi-polar Asylum that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Stevens keeps the fight on the outside.
Espada tries to clinch but Stevens moves out of range.
Stevens checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
The fighters circling - Stevens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stevens punishes Espada's body with a nice straight punch.
Stevens darts in looking for a takedown but Espada gets double underhooks and turns Stevens into the cage.
Espada tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Espada lands a damaging elbow.
Espada with a knee to the head.
Espada throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stevens blocks it with crossed arms.
Stevens drops down looking for an ankle pick but Espada pulls his leg out and moves away.
Espada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Espada.
Mike Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stevens takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Stevens has closed the distance and engaged Espada in a clinch.
Espada trying to land knees to the body.
Espada connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stevens's face.
Espada throws a knee to the head but misses.
Espada tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stevens stalling the fight.
Stevens wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Espada has him pressed against the cage.

Stevens breaks from the clinch.

Stevens shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Espada is trying to defend but Stevens finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Espada keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevens throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stevens thows a huge punch but Espada dodges it nicely.
Stevens not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens is trying to control. Espada wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Espada 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.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike Stevens will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Espada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stevens.
Stevens works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Stevens throws a poor cross that misses
and Espada counters with a thumping low kick.
Stevens swings for the body but Espada moves out of range.

Espada gets tackled into the cage by Stevens. Stevens maintains the clinch.
Espada tries to land a knee to the head but Stevens blocks with his arms.

Stevens is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Espada can't fight it off and eventually Stevens manages to take the fight to the floor. Espada looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Espada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Espada is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevens is controlling him.
Espada wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Espada avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Espada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Espada wants to stand but Stevens is controlling the position.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Espada keeps moving.
Stevens trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fenix Espada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mike Stevens just wasn't active enough.
Stevens takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Espada closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Stevens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Espada.

Espada has closed the distance and engaged Stevens in a clinch.
Espada tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Espada.
Espada misses with an elbow over the top.
Stevens working hard to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Stevens's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
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!
Knees in the clinch landing for Espada.
Mike Stevens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espada landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevens has had enough of the clinch but Espada keeps him there for the moment.
Espada landing knees to the body.
Stevens takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stevens blocks an elbow strike from Espada.
Stevens wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Espada landing knees to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Espada with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stevens on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fenix Espada seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Espada throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stevens blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Espada has him pressed against the cage.
Espada keeps control of Stevens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Espada pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevens leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Espada with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Espada prevents a takedown attempt there.
Espada scores with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens is looking to take this one to the mat.
Espada tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Espada tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fenix Espada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Stevens!
An out of breath Mike Stevens thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Fenix Espada stepped up to the mic, saying 'Even the greatest fall. But the real test is who rises back to the top.'.