PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McErlane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John McErlane will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Stevens
vs
McErlane

172 cm
18
168 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
166 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Stevens!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John McErlane!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens throws a sloppy head kick and McErlane moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from McErlane as Stevens shoots in.

Stevens drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stevens passes into half guard.
Stevens prevents McErlane from improving his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Stevens passes to side control.
McErlane misses with an elbow from the bottom.
McErlane sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like Stevens is going to stand back up.
McErlane avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stevens.
McErlane manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McErlane pulls Stevens in to control the position.
Stevens slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McErlane is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stevens wants to lay and pray for a moment but McErlane keeps working.
Stevens wants to stand up but McErlane has a hold of him and won't allow it.
McErlane flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
McErlane looks gassed!
Stevens throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McErlane is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Stevens is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McErlane is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stevens's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stevens's back!
Stevens might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is really stuck here.
McErlane punishes Stevens with strikes from the back mount.
McErlane looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
McErlane slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Stevens wants to escape the position.

McErlane has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Stevens! Can he survive? No! He's out! McErlane gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). John McErlane!
John McErlane is the new welterweight champion!