PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Avon Barksdale has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dean Stevens's chin.

Stevens
vs
Barksdale

176 cm
36
175 lbs
35 - 16 - 0

174 cm
28
185 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 35 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.
Stevens throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Barksdale tries to counter by closing the distance.
Barksdale avoids the body shot from Stevens.
Barksdale looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Barksdale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barksdale moves out of range as Stevens throws a body kick.
Stevens swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Barksdale scores with a head kick. Stevens tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Barksdale just misses with a punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by Barksdale. Beautiful body shot.
Stevens misses with a head kick.
A nice side step and Barksdale releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barksdale manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Stevens.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barksdale let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Stevens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Barksdale fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stevens throws a wild body kick that Barksdale sees coming a mile off.
Barksdale looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stevens goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Stevens delivers a nice body kick.
Stevens has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Stevens fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Barksdale on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Stevens throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stevens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barksdale throws a body shot but no joy.
Stevens drops down looking for a counter takedown but Barksdale sprawls and moves away.
Barksdale misses with the combination.
Barksdale is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Stevens rather than just go for the knockout.
Barksdale takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Stevens backs off Barksdale throws a huge counter combo but Stevens manages to avoid it all.

Stevens gets caught flat footed, as Barksdale shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Stevens working for a triangle but Barksdale defends it easily.
Stevens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stevens, not yet.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Barksdale from controlling successfully.

Stevens has his foot on Barksdale's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barksdale works his way back into a safe position though.
Stevens keeping moving, preventing Barksdale from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale won't allow Stevens to sweep him here.

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

That's four 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.
Barksdale sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stevens's guard.
Stevens makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stevens.
Barksdale trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Barksdale looking to improve position, pressing down on Stevens's thigh with his hand. Stevens seems to be working to lock up a guilotine though... is Barksdale paying attention? Apparently not! He's locked it up tight! Barksdale's face has turned purple! Will he tap? Will he! YES! He's tapped! Stevens picked his opening and made it count! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Dean Stevens!
An out of breath and clearly excited Dean Stevens thanked Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).
In defeat, Avon Barksdale stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll be back.'.