PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Fast (ranked 4330 p4p, 4003 weight class) and Landry Stephenson (ranked 469 p4p, 444 weight class). The key to victory for Tom Fast has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fast
vs
Stephenson

177 cm
25
165
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
154
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tom Fast!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Landry Stephenson!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fast moves into the clinch.

Fast ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fast no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Stephenson content to stall in guard here.
Stephenson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Stephenson looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fast is trying to keep Stephenson in close.
Stephenson sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson is pushing down on Fast's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fast is fighting to maintain full guard but Stephenson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Fast is looking to control Stephenson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fast avoid being mounted?
Stephenson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fast fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Stephenson gets caught napping as Fast dives in and scores a takedown. Stephenson manages to retain guard.
Fast is standing up over Stephenson. Stephenson looks to escape but Fast dives into side control.

Stephenson throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Stephenson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fast's best efforts.
Fast prevents Stephenson from improving his position.
Stephenson trying to control here.
Stephenson wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson tries to roll over but Fast keeps him under control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fast thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stephenson is looking for a sweep. Fast is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stephenson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Well, if Fast is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fast thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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.
Fast wants to get back to his feet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Stephenson moves into full guard.
Stephenson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fast is looking to advance position but Stephenson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Fast tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Landry Stephenson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A punch combination from Stephenson misses.
As Stephenson looks to move away, Fast throws a big counter combo but Stephenson just gets out of the way.
Fast fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stephenson goes for a double leg but Fast avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fast continues to drive forward.
Fast throws a combination that misses

and Stephenson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stephenson controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fast keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson tries to free his leg and advance position but Fast is retaining full guard.
Stephenson chips away with some ground and pound.
Stephenson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fast keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.
Stephenson stops Fast from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stephenson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stephenson moves out of range as Fast throws a body kick.
Stephenson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fast swivels and escapes.
Tom Fast has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Landry Stephenson.
Stephenson misses with a takedown attempt
and Fast cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice sprawl there from Stephenson as Fast shoots in.
Stephenson is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Stephenson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stephenson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fast works over Stephenson's head and body with a nice combination.

Fast gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Fast decides to pull guard.
Fast pulls Stephenson in close to prevent any damage.
We've been informed that Stephenson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Fast trying to strike off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson content to stall in guard here.
Fast keeping full guard, as Stephenson tries to pass.
Fast wants to control the position but Stephenson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Fast is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stephenson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Fast is looking to clinch but Stephenson is avoiding it.
Nice sprawl there from Fast as Stephenson shoots in.
Stephenson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Stephenson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stephenson shoots in for a takedown but Fast shows good takedown defense.
Stephenson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stephenson is breathing heavily.
Fast throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Fast closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Stephenson wants to take the fight to the mat but Fast manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Stephenson has Fast pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fast manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Fast dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stephenson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fast as he avoids it easily.

Stephenson tries to sprawl but Fast drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Fast throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stephenson is not content to let Fast control the position.
Fast lands strikes from half guard.

Stephenson makes his way to full guard, as Fast worked for a kimura.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fast postures up.
Stephenson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stephenson wants to take a breather but Fast is having none of it.

Fast is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stephenson pulls his head out easily.
Fast is looking to improve his position.
Stephenson slows the pace down in half guard.
Fast is trying to maintain the position but Stephenson is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson is controlling the pace.
Fast knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stephenson on the ground.
Stephenson misses with a head shot. Fast uses the momentum to regain guard.
Fast trying to keep a closed guard but Stephenson is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fast tries to clinch up

and Stephenson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Stephenson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Fast is looking to stand up but Stephenson isn't so interested in that idea.
Stephenson wants to control from the top but Fast keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fast 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stephenson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Fast is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fast keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tom Fast is winning the standup battle so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fast stuffs the takedown.
Fast wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Stephenson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fast.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Landry Stephenson.
I think Stephenson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!