PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kelvin Stewart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Almeida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Stewart
vs
Almeida

175 cm
21
179 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

182 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kelvin Stewart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ricardo Almeida!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Steve Erwin and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Almeida avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice sprawl there from Stewart as Almeida shoots in.
Stewart throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Almeida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stewart wants to clinch.

Stewart moves into the clinch successfully.
Almeida tries to land knees in the clinch but Stewart avoids the damage to the body.
Stewart on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Almeida taking a breather.

Stewart breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up but Almeida swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Almeida gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Almeida gets tackled into the cage by Stewart. Stewart maintains the clinch.

Stewart's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stewart pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stewart misses with a two punch combination.
Stewart defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Almeida.
Stewart scores with a sloppy right hand. Almeida should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stewart throws a series of punches but Almeida avoids them all with ease.
Almeida tries to clinch but Stewart is having none of it.
Stewart misses with a series of wild punches.
Stewart looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kelvin Stewart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Almeida takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Stewart is breathing heavily.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch but Almeida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stewart moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Stewart is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Stewart gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Almeida is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Stewart is keeping busy.
Stewart managing to block the knees to the body from Almeida.

Stewart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stewart looks to throw the jab but Almeida is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Almeida.
Kelvin Stewart has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Almeida.

Almeida gets tackled into the cage by Stewart. Stewart maintains the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stewart blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Almeida looking to slow down the pace here.

Stewart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stewart tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Almeida counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stewart throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Almeida instigates a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stewart.
Almeida tries to land knees in the clinch but Stewart avoids the damage to the body.
Stewart has Almeida pushed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stewart manages to break the clinch.
Stewart throws an off balance right hand

and Almeida counters with a single leg into guard. Stewart didn't expect that.
Stewart is looking to stand back up but Almeida counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Stewart.
Stewart tries to kick Almeida off but Almeida keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stewart scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Almeida manages to mount him!

Stewart bucks Almeida off and manages to get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almeida shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stewart misses with a head kick.
Horrible takedown by Almeida or perhaps it was just good defense by Stewart which made him look bad.
Stewart moves in looking to clinch but Almeida pushes him off.
Almeida shoots in for a takedown but Stewart shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Almeida takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stewart scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Almeida fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stewart misses with an attempted mid kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stewart throws a wild body kick that Almeida sees coming a mile off.
Stewart wants to clinch but Almeida slips to the side

and Almeida holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Stewart manages to break the clinch.
Almeida fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kelvin Stewart will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stewart tries to clinch there but Almeida circles away.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch but Almeida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stewart throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stewart tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Almeida counters with a shoot takedown. Stewart fights it but they end up in guard.

Almeida gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Stewart misses with a few strikes there.
Almeida tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stewart swivels and escapes.
Almeida tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stewart swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Almeida keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Stewart lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Almeida circles away quickly and effectively.
Almeida fails with an attempt to clinch.
Almeida shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stewart defends it nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Stewart darts in and clinches Almeida up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almeida trying to land knees to the body.
Almeida throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stewart on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stewart has Almeida pushed against the cage.

Stewart pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Almeida shoots in for a double leg but Stewart sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kelvin Stewart has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Almeida.

Stewart pushes Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.

Stewart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stewart scores with a shot to the body.
Almeida tries for a takedown but Stewart sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stewart thows a body shot but no joy.
Stewart is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Almeida shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Stewart napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Almeida stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Stewart tries to clinch but Almeida moves out of range.

Stewart has Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.
Almeida can't find room to land a body shot as Stewart controls the action.

Stewart pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stewart will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Almeida closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stewart circles away.
Almeida checks a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Stewart misses the target.

Almeida rushes Stewart and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stewart pushes Almeida back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Stewart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stewart gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Almeida misses with an elbow over the top.
Almeida throws a punch but it's blocked by Stewart.
Almeida wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stewart has him pressed against the cage.

Stewart breaks the clinch.
Stewart throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kelvin Stewart is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stewart moves into range and clinches up with Almeida.
Almeida tries a knee to the head but Stewart blocks it.

Stewart manages to break the clinch.

Stewart moves into the clinch.
Almeida has Stewart pressed against the cage, preventing Stewart from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stewart on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Almeida tries to stall but Stewart uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stewart breaks from the clinch.
Stewart gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Almeida counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Stewart!
Stewart tries to buck Almeida off but he can't manage it.
Ricardo Almeida has got the better of the ground game so far.

Almeida is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Stewart pushes Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.
Stewart wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stewart has had enough of the clinch but Almeida keeps him there for the moment.
Stewart prevents Almeida from breaking the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Stewart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stewart fails to land with a series of punches.
Almeida throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stewart's waist but Stewart gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Almeida off to one side.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stewart pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Almeida back to the cage. Stewart follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Almeida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Almeida throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stewart's waist but Stewart gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Almeida off to one side.

Stewart clinches up with Almeida and pushes him back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stewart as Almeida tries to tie him up.

Stewart breaks the clinch.
Stewart tries to clinch there but Almeida circles away.

Stewart pushes Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.
Almeida trying to stall but Stewart improves his position.

Stewart pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Almeida swats away the attempt to clinch by Stewart.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stewart misses with a head kick.
Almeida shoots in looking for a takedown but Stewart manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Almeida's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stewart cracks Almeida with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Stewart has closed the distance and engaged Almeida in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stewart's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Almeida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Almeida checks the leg kick nicely there.
Almeida shoots in but no luck this time.
Kelvin Stewart has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Almeida.

Stewart drives through and clinches with Almeida against the cage.

Stewart pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stewart tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Almeida counters with a single leg into guard. Stewart didn't expect that.
Stewart has a closed guard, preventing Almeida from standing up.
Stewart is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Almeida is controlling him.
Almeida is looking to stand up but Stewart won't let him.

Stewart has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Almeida off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stewart rushes Almeida and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stewart avoiding damage as Almeida throws knees to the body.

Stewart breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stewart tries to clinch but Almeida is having none of it.
Stewart lands a high kick!
Stewart stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stewart wants it to stay on the feet.

Stewart pushes Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.

Stewart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Almeida tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stewart sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Almeida somewhat.
Stewart lands with a nice combination. Almeida backs away looking to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Stewart looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart tries to clinch up.
Stewart moves in looking to clinch but Almeida pushes him off.
Stewart fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stewart displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Almeida.
Almeida closes the distance and clinches up with Stewart, looking for a takedown. Almeida pushes Stewart against the cage but Stewart circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stewart tries to clinch but Almeida moves out of range.
Stewart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Almeida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.

Almeida moves into the clinch.

Stewart's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Almeida tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stewart swivels and escapes.
Stewart is looking to clinch.
Stewart misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Stewart swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stewart slaps away a takedown attempt from Almeida, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Almeida shoots in but Stewart avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stewart stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stewart wants it to stay on the feet.
Stewart fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stewart tries to clinch up but Almeida circles away and keeps his distance.
Stewart throws a looping overhand right but Almeida ducks down to avoid it.
Almeida shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stewart as he avoids it easily.
Stewart defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Almeida.
Stewart tries to clinch there but Almeida circles away.
Almeida fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Stewart forces Almeida back against the cage and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kelvin Stewart showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stewart 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 John Mangel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kelvin Stewart!