PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tupac Saulnier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Garrison Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tupac Saulnier has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Saulnier
vs
Steele

188 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 Montreal, Tupac Saulnier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Garrison Steele!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steele swats away the attempt to clinch by Saulnier.
Steele misses with an uppercut. Saulnier saw that one coming.
Saulnier misses the shot to the body.
Steele throws a hook to the side of Saulnier's head but Saulnier sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice shot lands for Steele.
Saulnier tries to close the distance and clinch but Steele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saulnier tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.

Saulnier drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saulnier chips away with some ground and pound.
Saulnier trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Steele is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Steele wants to get back to his feet but Saulnier is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Saulnier would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steele looking for a sweep. Not yet Steele, not yet.

Saulnier avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Steele looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saulnier is one step ahead there.
Steele is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Saulnier trying to control but Steele is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saulnier fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saulnier shoots for a double leg takedown but Steele sprawls well. He's pushed Saulnier's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Steele closes the distance looking to clinch
and Saulnier counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from Saulnier misses.
Steele misses with a straight right.
Saulnier tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Steele swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tupac Saulnier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saulnier is breathing heavily.
Saulnier on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Steele throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Saulnier.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steele looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steele tries to clinch but Saulnier moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Saulnier.

Saulnier looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Steele throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Steele has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Saulnier can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steele lands an upkick as Saulnier stands over him.
Steele wants to sweep here but Saulnier controlling him for the moment.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.

Steele working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saulnier doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saulnier manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Steele preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Steele is looking for a triangle but Saulnier pushes his legs off easily.
Steele is striking but Saulnier is not phased and passes to half guard.
Steele is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Steele is not content to let Saulnier control the position.

Steele looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saulnier working Steele over with strikes.
Steele makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Steele.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Garrison Steele will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Steele fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steele misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saulnier slips a jab and a cross from Steele.
Nice shot by Saulnier.
Saulnier throws a head kick but Steele moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steele throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saulnier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steele misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele drops his hands momentarily and Saulnier takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Saulnier swats away the attempt to clinch by Steele.
Saulnier keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saulnier ducks right into an uppercut from Steele.
Saulnier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saulnier avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saulnier uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Steele.
Steele wants to clinch but Saulnier slips to the side
and Saulnier counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele wants to clinch.
Steele throws a jab when Saulnier was well out of range.
Saulnier keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Saulnier.
Saulnier tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.
Steele lands with a right hand.
Steele tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele clinches but Saulnier breaks the clinch
and Saulnier counters with a thumping low kick.
Steele falls off balance throwing a combination
and Saulnier connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Saulnier jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Steele moves into range and clinches up with Saulnier.
Steele content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Steele prevents a takedown attempt there.
Saulnier fails to pull guard.
Steele is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saulnier wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Saulnier prevents the takedown attempt.
Tupac Saulnier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Garrison Steele.
Steele is trying to break the clinch but Saulnier has him pressed against the cage.
Steele displaying some good clinch control by pressing Saulnier up against the cage.
Steele blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Steele lands a right hand that snaps the head of Saulnier backwards.
Steele tries to score a body lock takedown but Saulnier shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Saulnier is trying to maintain a safe position but Steele gets an underhook and turns Saulnier into the cage.
Steele avoids a wild elbow strike from Saulnier.
Saulnier keeps control of Steele as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Steele.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steele.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tupac Saulnier will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Steele closes the distance looking to clinch
and Saulnier counters with a stiff right hand.
A big right from Steele misses.
Saulnier misses with a looping left.
Steele misses the jab.
Saulnier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saulnier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Steele feints and as Saulnier raises his hands in defense, Steele changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saulnier has momentary wrist control but Steele slips an elbow through the middle.
Steele stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saulnier swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele connects with a couple of short punches.
Saulnier thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Steele chips away with some ground and pound.
Saulnier has momentary wrist control but Steele slips an elbow through the middle.
Saulnier tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Steele works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Steele performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Steele's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Steele looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Steele prevents Saulnier from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele working the head and body with strikes.
Saulnier misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Steele is nestled in close to Saulnier, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Saulnier misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Saulnier is trying to get back to full guard.
Steele working the head and body with strikes.
Steele winds up and cracks Saulnier with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Steele tries to pass to full mount but Saulnier defends it.
Steele looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Saulnier with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele throwing shots but Saulnier is blocking nicely.
Saulnier is trying to control but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Saulnier drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Saulnier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steele sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Steele closes the distance and clinches up with Saulnier, looking for a takedown. Steele pushes Saulnier against the cage but Saulnier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saulnier lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Steele circles away quickly and effectively.
Garrison Steele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steele shoots in and drives through. Saulnier sprawls well.
Good shot there by Steele.
Saulnier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steele was well out of range. Poor timing from Saulnier.

Steele has taken the fight to the clinch.
Steele wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Saulnier has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Steele avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Saulnier tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Steele just stands there and leans against the cage.
Saulnier stalling in the clinch but Steele improves position.
Saulnier wants to break the clinch but can't.
Steele changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Saulnier fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tupac Saulnier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Garrison Steele.
Steele misses with a double jab.
Steele shoots in and drives through. Saulnier sprawls well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saulnier has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Saulnier. No joy for Steele on that attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Garrison Steele comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Steele has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garrison Steele!