PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lester Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lester Stephenson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stephenson
vs
Smith

153 cm
23
279 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

220 cm
20
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lester Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jake Smith!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Ron Honeybunn and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith dives in and scores a takedown into Stephenson's guard.
Stephenson wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Stephenson working a defensive guard here.
Smith is in close to Stephenson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Smith is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Smith trying to control but Stephenson is working from the bottom.
Stephenson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smith showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Smith might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stephenson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Smith tries to land a body kick
and Stephenson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Smith drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stephenson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.

Smith wants to get back to his feet but Stephenson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith controlling Stephenson's posture.
Smith doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Stephenson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Smith decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stephenson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Stephenson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.
Stephenson pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Stephenson is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephenson manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smith is stalling in the full guard.
Stephenson really is a fat lump.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Stephenson controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
Stephenson being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith lands a couple of digs.
Stephenson wants to control but Smith passes easily into half guard.
Stephenson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Smith is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Stephenson trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.
Smith takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stephenson is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
Smith controlling the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith uses his free foot to push down on Stephenson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Stephenson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Stephenson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stephenson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Smith on his heels. He'll look to pass Smith's guard now, I'm sure.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stephenson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stephenson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smith's guard.
Smith trying to control the position here.

Stephenson stands and steps away. Smith gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Stephenson tries to bench press Smith off him but Smith keeps the position.
Smith trying to control the action but Stephenson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Smith drives through with a takedown into Stephenson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Stephenson kicks Smith off and gets to his feet.

Smith gets a takedown into half guard.
Smith is trying to control. Stephenson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stephenson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stephenson keeping hold of Smith's head, controlling as best he can.

Smith postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Stephenson to stand up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stephenson ducks under a wild hook from Smith.

Smith is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stephenson's half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson trying to control here.
Smith lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Stephenson! More strikes land and this one is all over! Smith jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jake Smith!