PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evan McGrew (ranked 24702 p4p, 4266 weight class) and Grubble Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evan McGrew could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Grubble Stevens's chin.

McGrew
vs
Stevens

190 cm
22
204
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
200
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Evan McGrew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Grubble Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stevens closes the distance and clinches.
McGrew tries to score a body lock takedown but Stevens shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
McGrew looking for a takedown.
Stevens tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McGrew just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stevens crunches a lovely knee into McGrew's ribcage.
Stevens trying to control the position but instead, McGrew has worked for underhooks and has pushed Stevens into the cage.

Stevens has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McGrew uses from the top position.
McGrew being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stevens working for a triangle but McGrew defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens is pulling down on McGrew's head. It's preventing any offense from McGrew, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGrew is one step ahead there.
Stevens can't keep his opponent in guard - McGrew advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
McGrew throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stevens throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

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.
Stevens is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
McGrew is looking to advance position but Stevens won't allow it.
Stevens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McGrew.
Stevens is looking to escape.
McGrew scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stevens wants to control but McGrew is keeping busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stevens blocking the ground and pound attempt from McGrew.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrew blocks the strikes from Stevens.
Stevens has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McGrew is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stevens shoots in but no luck this time.

McGrew closes the distance and clinches.
McGrew is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stevens pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan McGrew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stevens tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McGrew just stands there and leans against the cage.
McGrew has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stevens avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stevens is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
McGrew has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stevens is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Stevens blocks an uppercut.
Stevens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McGrew is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

McGrew's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stevens.

Stevens has managed to clinch.
McGrew missing with knees to the body.
McGrew lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McGrew looking for a takedown.
McGrew has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Stevens after a bit of a struggle.
McGrew is breathing heavily.

Stevens drags the fight down to the ground.
Stevens wants to sweep but no luck.
Stevens looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but McGrew puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McGrew is trying to control the action in half guard but Stevens is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McGrew drops an elbow to the side of Stevens's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Evan McGrew will probably get the nod.
That's time! McGrew's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stevens tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGrew swivels and escapes.
Stevens looks to land a combination but McGrew avoids it well.

Stevens clinches up against the cage.
Stevens gets underhooks to prevent McGrew's takedown attempt.
McGrew looking for a takedown.

McGrew lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Stevens manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. McGrew keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Stevens.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGrew avoiding damage as Stevens throws knees to the body.
Stevens is trying to pull guard but McGrew turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
McGrew tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan McGrew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Stevens tries to break free but McGrew pushes him back against the cage.

McGrew pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevens.
Stevens fails with the takedown.
Grubble Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens misses with a left hand

and McGrew counters with a single leg into guard. Stevens didn't expect that.
Stevens working a defensive guard but McGrew passes into half guard.
Stevens is trying to maintain the position but McGrew is very close to passing his half guard.
McGrew slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from McGrew.
McGrew is trying to control the action in half guard but Stevens is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Evan McGrew overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGrew sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stevens defending well though.
Stevens is staying active underneath McGrew, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stevens is looking for a sweep. McGrew is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Stevens looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is trying to maintain the position but McGrew is very close to passing his half guard.

Stevens is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McGrew pulls his head out easily.
McGrew slips a nice elbow through Stevens's hands, connecting with Stevens's forehead.
McGrew scoring with strikes to the body and head.

McGrew is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stevens defends it well.
Stevens wants to improve his position but McGrew is controlling well.

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.
McGrew trying to mount his opponent but Stevens defends it.
Stevens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McGrew scores with a couple of nice shots.
McGrew working over Stevens with some ground and pound. Stevens looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGrew is nestled in close to Stevens, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. McGrew lands a nice short elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Evan McGrew dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McGrew shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stevens is trying to defend but McGrew finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Stevens is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McGrew sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stevens defending well though.
Stevens trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens has hold of McGrew's hands but McGrew slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McGrew is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stevens can do to turn this around?
McGrew trying to control from half guard but Stevens is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Stevens blocking the ground and pound attempt from McGrew.

McGrew is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stevens works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stevens is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stevens is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stevens just misses with a punch to the body.

Stevens forces McGrew back against the cage and clinches.
McGrew is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stevens gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
McGrew has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Stevens after a bit of a struggle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevens looking for a takedown.

McGrew has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stevens uses from the top position.
McGrew has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stevens trying to control but McGrew is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrew wants to sweep but no luck.
McGrew manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevens manages to get himself to full guard.

Stevens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Stevens is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. McGrew presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
McGrew has Stevens pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stevens manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan McGrew. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stevens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McGrew fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Evan McGrew is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Stevens gets control of McGrew's arms and successfully pulls guard. Stevens will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Stevens controls McGrew momentarily but McGrew frees himself.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but McGrew is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McGrew stays in close to Stevens's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Grubble Stevens.
I think McGrew has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Grubble Stevens!