PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Sigic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Steiner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erik Steiner struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sigic
vs
Steiner

188 cm
19
218 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

195 cm
22
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Fighting Spirit

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 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, James Sigic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erik Steiner!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sigic shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Steiner is trying to defend but Sigic finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Steiner looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Sigic slips a nice elbow through Steiner's hands, connecting with Steiner's forehead.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sigic lands a nice short elbow.
Sigic working over Steiner with some ground and pound. Steiner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Sigic is trying to work for a kimura but Steiner is defending well.
Steiner on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sigic is nestled in close to Steiner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sigic slips a nice elbow through Steiner's hands, connecting with Steiner's forehead.
Sigic takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice strikes from Sigic there.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sigic connects with a nice short shot to Steiner's temple.
Sigic lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sigic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sigic slips a nice elbow through Steiner's hands, connecting with Steiner's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sigic is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sigic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Steiner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Steiner on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sigic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ground and pound from Sigic.
Sigic working Steiner over with strikes.
Sigic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Steiner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Steiner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sigic. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sigic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Steiner looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sigic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sigic lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sigic working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Sigic.
Sigic winds up and cracks Steiner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sigic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Steiner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sigic working over Steiner with some ground and pound. Steiner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sigic is nestled in close to Steiner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sigic winds up and cracks Steiner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Steiner on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sigic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sigic working over Steiner with some ground and pound. Steiner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sigic drops an elbow to the side of Steiner's head.
Sigic 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.
Sigic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Steiner taking some punishment here, with Sigic in his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sigic lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sigic is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sigic takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Steiner trying to control here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Sigic shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sigic prevents Steiner from improving his position.
Steiner on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sigic seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sigic is nestled in close to Steiner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sigic scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sigic working over Steiner with some ground and pound. Steiner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Steiner tries to roll over but Sigic keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sigic lands strikes from half guard.
Steiner on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sigic takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sigic lands a nice short elbow.
Ground and pound from Sigic.
Steiner trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sigic swinging wilding here.
Steiner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sigic counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sigic.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steiner wants to stand and escape but Sigic is having none of it.
Sigic postures up.

Sigic drops back looking for a leg! Steiner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Steiner manages to kick Sigic off! Sigic jumps back into Steiner's guard.
Sigic is pushing down on Steiner's leg trying to pass to half guard. Steiner is fighting to maintain full guard but Sigic has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Sigic dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sigic decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sigic lands strikes from half guard.
Sigic lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Steiner taking some punishment here, with Sigic in his half guard.
Sigic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sigic working Steiner over with strikes.

Sigic is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Steiner has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sigic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sigic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steiner can do to turn this around?
Sigic is thwarting Steiner's attempts to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sigic lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Steiner tries to kick Sigic off but Sigic keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sigic working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steiner looking for submissions off his back.
Sigic slips a nice elbow through Steiner's hands, connecting with Steiner's forehead.
Sigic takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
James Sigic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Steiner tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sigic drops an elbow to the side of Steiner's head.
Sigic working Steiner over with strikes.
Steiner on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sigic landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Sigic there.
Sigic lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sigic lands a nice short elbow.
Sigic looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sigic scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sigic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two 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.
Steiner is looking for a sweep. Sigic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sigic looks to land a combination but Steiner avoids it well.

Sigic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The referee warns Steiner that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sigic fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Steiner tries to hold on but Sigic postures up.
Sigic with the ground and pound from mount.
Steiner wants to hold on but Sigic pushes him away.
Steiner in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Steiner is bucking up trying to escape but Sigic cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Sigic with good strikes from the mount here!
Steiner manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Steiner has hold of Sigic's hands but Sigic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sigic is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Sigic seems to be looking for submissions.
Sigic slips a nice elbow through Steiner's hands, connecting with Steiner's forehead.

Sigic wants to work for an arm triangle but Steiner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Sigic is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Steiner is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sigic scores with a couple of nice shots.

Sigic wants to work for an arm triangle but Steiner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Steiner tries to get to full guard but Sigic has control of the leg.
Sigic winds up and cracks Steiner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steiner missing with punches from the bottom.
Sigic is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Sigic is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Steiner has managed to free his arm - good work.
Steiner tries to get to full guard but Sigic has control of the leg.
Sigic seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Sigic is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Steiner has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sigic working Steiner over with strikes.
Sigic drops an elbow to the side of Steiner's head.
Steiner is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Sigic dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sigic gets a takedown into half guard.
Sigic is nestled in close to Steiner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Sigic.
Sigic seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sigic lands strikes from half guard.
Sigic lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sigic is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sigic winds up and cracks Steiner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sigic working over Steiner with some ground and pound. Steiner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sigic connects with a nice short shot to Steiner's temple.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sigic winds up and cracks Steiner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sigic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Steiner sees it coming and defends easily.
Steiner taking some punishment here, with Sigic in his half guard.
Steiner is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sigic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sigic's back!
Sigic tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sigic is wriggling around trying to escape.
Steiner is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sigic wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Steiner.
Steiner prevents Sigic from getting the reversal.
Sigic takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steiner misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Steiner trying to control but Sigic is having none of it.
Sigic sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Steiner is looking to take a break and control but Sigic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sigic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Steiner.
Sigic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Sigic is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Steiner frees his head nicely. Oh but Sigic has switched to an armbar! Steiner is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). James Sigic!