PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Skillz Kneeland (ranked 495 p4p, 567 weight class) and Olenev Stepanovich (ranked 76 p4p, 85 weight class). Kneeland's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kung Fu FIghting. The crowd seem to be enjoying Stepanovich's choice of entrance music: Swallowing Dust. Olenev Stepanovich has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kneeland
vs
Stepanovich

175 cm
35
156
27 - 18 - 0

186 cm
29
165
19 - 7 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

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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 27 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Skillz Kneeland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Olenev Stepanovich!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanovich jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stepanovich attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Stepanovich jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kneeland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stepanovich was well out of range. Poor timing from Kneeland.
Kneeland throws a sloppy head kick
and Stepanovich counters with an outside leg kick.
Kneeland takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kneeland misses with an uppercut. Stepanovich saw that one coming.
Stepanovich throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kneeland on the side of the head.
A jab from Kneeland misses.
Kneeland throws a jab when Stepanovich was well out of range.
Kneeland lands with a nice combination. Stepanovich backs away looking to recover.
Kneeland lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stepanovich circles away quickly and effectively.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No joy there for Kneeland, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Olenev Stepanovich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Stepanovich.
Kneeland connects with an inside leg kick.
Stepanovich looks to score with a jab to the body but Kneeland is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeland throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kneeland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich dips to his left and cracks Kneeland with an uppercut!
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Stepanovich has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kneeland tries to bum rush Stepanovich with a series of wild strikes but Stepanovich uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stepanovich is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kneeland shoots in but no luck this time.
Decent striking displayed by Stepanovich there.
Kneeland defending well as Stepanovich loads up on a big left hand.
Stepanovich lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kneeland at a distance.
Jab, jab by Stepanovich - just one landing.
Stepanovich scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kneeland wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich misses with an uppercut
and Kneeland counters with a three punch combo that has Stepanovich backing up. Stepanovich nods at Kneeland to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kneeland displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stepanovich throws out the jab.
Stepanovich waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kneeland.
Stepanovich missing with a left hand there. Kneeland was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kneeland avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kneeland wants to clinch up but Stepanovich keeps it at a distance.
Kneeland on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kneeland looks for a takedown but Stepanovich sprawls well.
Kneeland tries to clinch up but Stepanovich circles away and keeps his distance.
Stepanovich with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kneeland to score with a decent uppercut.
Kneeland throws a hook to the side of Stepanovich's head but Stepanovich sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stepanovich bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kneeland's head.
Stepanovich is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kneeland tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich wants to slow Kneeland down by chopping away at his legs.
Stepanovich has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kneeland.
Kneeland takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kneeland fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kneeland closes the distance and clinches.
Stepanovich misses with a body punch.
Stepanovich is looking to take this one to the mat.

Kneeland breaks from the clinch.
Kneeland tries to clinch but Stepanovich is having none of it.
Kneeland ducks right into an uppercut from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich misses with a hook. Kneeland ducked under it nicely.
Kneeland gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kneeland doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Skillz Kneeland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich checks the leg kick.
Kneeland keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A good leg kick by Kneeland.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stepanovich misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kneeland makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stepanovich takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Stepanovich jabs at Kneeland's body.
Kneeland takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stepanovich ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kneeland moves away.
Stepanovich moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stepanovich throws a lazy uppercut
and Kneeland counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Stepanovich buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stepanovich connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stepanovich with a jab.
Stepanovich connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kneeland's hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Olenev Stepanovich dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stepanovich connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kneeland. Kneeland circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kneeland misses with a double jab.
Kneeland fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kneeland scores with a leg kick.

Kneeland darts in and clinches Stepanovich up against the cage.
Kneeland gets underhooks to prevent Stepanovich's takedown attempt.
Kneeland tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stepanovich's elbow.
Kneeland slows down the pace here.

Stepanovich breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneeland connects with a right hand. Stepanovich shakes it off.
Stepanovich throws a leg kick
and Kneeland counters with a three punch combo that has Stepanovich backing up. Stepanovich nods at Kneeland to acknowledge the strikes.
A punch combination from Kneeland misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Stepanovich misses
and Stepanovich takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kneeland is looking to clinch but Stepanovich is avoiding it.
Stepanovich throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kneeland counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stepanovich rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Kneeland to counter with a crisp jab.
Stepanovich lands a jab.
Kneeland takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kneeland misses with a head kick.
Jab from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich lands with a straight right. Kneeland didn't see that one coming.
Stepanovich avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stepanovich digs a good hook to Kneeland's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kneeland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stepanovich was well out of range. Poor timing from Kneeland.
Stepanovich throws out a counter right but Kneeland avoids it with no problem.
Olenev Stepanovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stepanovich throws a shot from downtown. Kneeland moves away and avoids it.
Kneeland lands with a good body shot.
Olenev Stepanovich seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stepanovich bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kneeland.
Stepanovich's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kneeland under the eye.
Stepanovich thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kneeland is looking to clinch but Stepanovich is avoiding it.
Kneeland looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stepanovich on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kneeland misses with a double jab.
Stepanovich looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Stepanovich tests Kneeland's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kneeland misses with a straight right.
Stepanovich dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich throws a body punch but Kneeland moves out of range.
Kneeland ducks under a wild hook from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kneeland doesn't seem bothered though.
Kneeland moves out of range of the leg kick from Stepanovich.
A jab from Stepanovich finds it's way through Kneeland's defenses.
Stepanovich takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kneeland fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stepanovich lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Stepanovich defending well as Kneeland loads up on a big left hand.
Kneeland throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stepanovich's head.
Stepanovich throws a shot from downtown. Kneeland moves away and avoids it.
Kneeland scores with a jab to the body.
Kneeland fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stepanovich looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stepanovich has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kneeland fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stepanovich, pushing him back against the cage.

Stepanovich breaks the clinch.
Stepanovich lands a nice shot to the body.
Kneeland is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kneeland steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stepanovich.
Kneeland is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stepanovich lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Stepanovich slips a straight right by Kneeland.
Kneeland lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stepanovich circles away quickly and effectively.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kneeland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stepanovich misses with a lunging right hand
and Kneeland counters with a series of strikes. Stepanovich will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Skillz Kneeland will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kneeland closes the distance and clinches.

Kneeland breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kneeland swinging wildly here.
Stepanovich misses with a left hand
and Kneeland counters with a one-two to the body.
Kneeland takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kneeland takes one to the chin there.
Kneeland with a poor takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kneeland uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich swats away the attempt to clinch by Kneeland.
Stepanovich connects with a body shot.
Stepanovich scores with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stepanovich slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kneeland takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stepanovich scores with the left hand. Kneeland knows he should have avoided that one.
Stepanovich tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kneeland was well out of range. Poor timing from Stepanovich.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kneeland. Stepanovich does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kneeland misses with a lunging right hand
and Stepanovich counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Skillz Kneeland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stepanovich throws the left hand but Kneeland avoids the punch easily.
Kneeland misses with a few strikes there.
A little jabbing left from Stepanovich on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kneeland works Stepanovich's body with a nice hook.
Kneeland tests Stepanovich's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kneeland lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kneeland on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kneeland swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stepanovich swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kneeland tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stepanovich with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kneeland swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Kneeland drives through and clinches with Stepanovich against the cage.
Stepanovich tries to score a body lock takedown but Kneeland shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Stepanovich wants a takedown.

Stepanovich manages to break the clinch.
Kneeland on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stepanovich. Stepanovich obviously looking to wear him down.
Nice body punch from Stepanovich.
Kneeland shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stepanovich as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich with a nice calf kick.
Kneeland throws a series of punches but Stepanovich moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kneeland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Kneeland closes the distance and clinches.
Kneeland prevents Stepanovich from breaking the clinch.
Kneeland throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stepanovichs head.
Stepanovich throws a head punch that misses.

Stepanovich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kneeland scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kneeland throws a head kick that misses.
Stepanovich closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kneeland chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stepanovich can pounce on him.

Kneeland darts in and clinches Stepanovich up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kneeland escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Kneeland.
Stepanovich lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stepanovich swings for the body but Kneeland moves out of range.
Stepanovich swings for the body but Kneeland moves out of range.
Kneeland tries to close the distance and clinch but Stepanovich swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stepanovich misses with a shot to the body
and Kneeland counters with a straight right hand.
Stepanovich connects with a single shot there.
Kneeland takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Olenev Stepanovich.
I think Stepanovich 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Olenev Stepanovich!
Olenev Stepanovich decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.