PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sean Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matts Nilsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stevens
vs
Nilsson

188 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
195 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sean Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matts Nilsson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens wants to clinch.
Nilsson throws a one two combo.
Stevens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nilsson throws a big shot that misses.
Stevens tries to clinch but Nilsson moves out of range.
Nilsson lands a two punch combo.
Nilsson throws a right hand that misses
and Stevens counters with a solid body kick.
Nilsson throws a lazy uppercut

and Stevens moves into the clinch.

Stevens gets control of Nilsson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Stevens will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Nilsson tries to stand but Stevens is controlling from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevens is looking to stand up but Nilsson isn't so interested in that idea.
Stevens working a defensive guard but Nilsson passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Nilsson is going to stand back up.
Stevens is trying to get back to full guard.
Stevens is working hard here to advance position.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Stevens tries to kick Nilsson off but Nilsson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nilsson is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stevens connects with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nilsson throws the left hand but Stevens avoids the punch easily.
Nilsson tries to bum rush Stevens with a series of wild strikes but Stevens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nilsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stevens tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nilsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matts Nilsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stevens has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nilsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevens manages to avoid it.
Nilsson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Nilsson.
Nilsson thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Nilsson.
Stevens wants to clinch up but Nilsson keeps it at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Nilsson.
A shot to the liver by Nilsson. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nilsson throws a series of strikes that have Stevens backpedaling.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nilsson connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nilsson lands a slapping body shot.
Nilsson throws a jab when Stevens was well out of range.
A slow jab from Nilsson misses its intended target.
Nilsson misses with a looping right.
Nilsson jabs at Stevens's body.
Nilsson misses with a straight right.
Nilsson misses with a wild body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens takes one to the chin there.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Nilsson.
Nilsson throws out a loose jab but Stevens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nilsson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nilsson throws a hook but Stevens blocks it.
Nilsson lands with a right hand.
Matts Nilsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nilsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Stevens.
Nilsson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Nilsson.
Nilsson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nilsson throws a combination that misses
and Stevens counters with a left and a right that stings Nilsson.
Sean Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stevens wants to clinch.
Nilsson lands with a nice body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice defenses there by Stevens.
Nilsson lands a jab to the nose.
Stevens takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Nilsson blocks a head kick by Stevens.
Stevens tries to land a front kick but Nilsson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nilsson misses with a wild body shot.

Stevens forces Nilsson back against the cage and clinches.
Nilsson is trying to force a seperation but Stevens has the dominant position.
Nilsson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stevens throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Stevens throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nilsson blocks it with crossed arms.
Nilsson wants to break free but Stevens has control.

Stevens pulls Nilsson into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stevens holds on and takes a little breather.
Nilsson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but Nilsson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nilsson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nilsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nilsson.
Nilsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
A combination from Nilsson does no damage.
Stevens showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nilsson.
Nilsson misses with a straight right.
Nilsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Stevens is just out of range.
A big right from Nilsson misses.

Stevens scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Nilsson dodges the ground and pound from Stevens.

Nilsson bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nilsson works Stevens's body with a nice hook.
Nilsson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Stevens on the side of the head.
Stevens rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nilsson counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stevens clinches up against the cage.
Nilsson tries to circle away but Stevens has him pinned against the cage.
Nilsson tries to circle away but Stevens has him pinned against the cage.

Stevens breaks from the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nilsson sizes up Stevens with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Stevens avoids the body shot from Nilsson.
Nilsson throws the left hand but Stevens avoids the punch easily.
Nilsson digs a good hook to Stevens's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matts Nilsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nilsson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Good shot there by Nilsson.

Stevens closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nilsson did well to prevent Stevens getting side control.

Nilsson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A slow jab from Nilsson misses its intended target.
Stevens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nilsson.
Nilsson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Stevens counters with a left and a right that stings Nilsson.
Nilsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevens.
Nilsson throws a hook but Stevens avoids it easily.
Nilsson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nilsson throws a lazy right hand but Stevens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nilsson lands a glancing blow to the side of Stevens's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nilsson jabs Stevens right on the nose. Stevens blinks but takes it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nilsson throws a nice looking combination but Stevens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to clinch.
Nilsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nilsson stuns Stevens with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nilsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Stevens.
Nilsson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stevens.
Stevens tries to clinch but Nilsson is having none of it.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stevens showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nilsson.
Nilsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nilsson misses with a two punch combination.
Stevens blocks a jab.
Matts Nilsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nilsson misses with a few strikes there.

Stevens clinches up against the cage.
Stevens has Nilsson pressed against the cage, preventing Nilsson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Stevens manages to break the clinch.
Stevens defending well as Nilsson loads up on a big left hand.
Nilsson throws a hook but Stevens avoids it easily.
Nilsson swings for the body but Stevens moves out of range.

Stevens closes the distance and pushes Nilsson back into the cage.
Stevens keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nilsson's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Stevens.

Stevens has clasped his hands together around Nilsson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Nilsson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Stevens laying and praying for a moment but Nilsson takes advantage and regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevens prevents Nilsson from standing back up.
Nilsson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Nilsson kicks off Stevens and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheers as Nilsson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stevens doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nilsson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nilsson scores with a punch to the head.
Nilsson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stevens.
Stevens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nilsson.
Nilsson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stevens.

Stevens moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stevens pulls guard.

Stevens has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nilsson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sean Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matts Nilsson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Good exchange - Nilsson coming out on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matts Nilsson.
I've got Nilsson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matts Nilsson!