PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig Stephens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maximus Artillius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephens comes into the arena with Renegade by (hed)PE blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stephens
vs
Artillius

190 cm
25
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

EVOLUTION Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Stephens!
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, Maximus Artillius!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Eddie Farnsworth and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stephens throws a head kick but Artillius moves out of range.
Stephens tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Artillius paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Artillius shoots in looking for a takedown. Stephens tries to sprawl out of it but Artillius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stephens manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stephens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Artillius steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Stephens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A head kick by Stephens misses
and Artillius counters with a two punch combo.
Artillius shoots in looking for a takedown but Stephens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Artillius's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice uppercut there from Stephens.
Stephens lands with a nice combination. Artillius backs away looking to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Artillius avoids the body shot from Stephens.
Artillius moves in looking to clinch but Stephens pushes him off.
Stephens seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Artillius checks a low kick from Stephens.
Artillius tries to counter by closing the distance.
Stephens misses with a body kick.
Nice sprawl there from Stephens as Artillius shoots in.
Stephens wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Craig Stephens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maximus Artillius.

Artillius has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens is trying to break free.
Good body shot from Artillius.
Stephens is trying to break the clinch but Artillius is controlling him.
Artillius has Stephens pressed against the cage, preventing Stephens from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stephens tries to circle away but Artillius has him pinned against the cage.
Stephens tries to break the clinch but Artillius is controlling the position.
Stephens is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Artillius jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Artillius controlling Stephens's posture.
Stephens would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Artillius is working an open guard so Stephens takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Stephens throws a push kick but Artillius slaps the foot to one side.
Craig Stephens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Artillius is looking to clinch but Stephens is avoiding it.
It looked like Stephens was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stephens misses with a head kick.

Artillius pushes Stephens up against the cage in a clinch.
Artillius can't get the takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Artillius's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Artillius manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stephens wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stephens wants to break free but Artillius has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Artillius tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stephens smiles and moves away.
Stephens looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Artillius looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stephens is fending him off so far but Artillius persists. Nope, Stephens circles away and we're back to standing.
A left and a right from Stephens both land. Nice combination.
Stephens cracks the inside of Artillius's front leg.
Artillius takes a jab right on the kisser.
Stephens lands a high kick!
Nice uppercut there from Stephens.
Stephens lands a high kick!
Stephens scores with a shot 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!
Stephens cracks Artillius with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Artillius is rocked!
Stephens moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Artillius is still on wobbly legs! Can Stephens finish him?
Artillius looks winded!
Artillius switches off momentarily and Stephens cracks him with a monster right hand! Artillius topples backwards and makes a semi conscious attempt to cover up, as Stephens dives in to land one more shot, before the referee has time to call the fight. What a finish by Stephens!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Craig Stephens!
An out of breath and clearly excited Craig Stephens thanked EVOLUTION Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).