PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Danilo Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darren Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Alves
vs
Steele

190 cm
23
265 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

199 cm
22
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Danilo Alves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Darren Steele!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Emerson Jorge and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alves takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Steele tries to clinch up but Alves circles away and keeps his distance.
Alves throws a nice looking combination but Steele bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Steele fails with an attempt to clinch.
Alves throws a head kick but Steele moves out of range.
Alves throws a series of punches but Steele avoids them all with ease.
Steele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Steele plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Danilo Alves has been cut.

Steele moves into the clinch successfully.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but Steele blocks with his arms.
Alves lands a hook that snaps the head of Steele backwards.
Steele stalling in the clinch but Alves improves position.
Alves throws a head punch that misses.
Alves lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Alves tries to break free but Steele pushes him back against the cage.
Steele looking to slow down the pace here.
A short uppercut from Alves.
Steele is trying to stall.
Steele throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alves blocks it with crossed arms.
Alves lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Alves ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alves no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Steele drops back, looking for a kneebar! Alves looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Alves looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Alves!

Alves decides to stand up, so the ref orders Steele to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves swinging wildly here.
Steele tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alves throws a lazy right hand but Steele sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Steele rushes Alves and presses him up against the cage.
Alves fails to pull the fight into his guard.

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.
Steele stalling the fight.
Steele misses with a knee to the head.
Steele tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alves avoids it.
Alves lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Alves scores with a nice hook to the head.
Steele with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alves misses with a knee strike.
Alves blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alves wants to break free but Steele has control.
Alves lands a nice shot to the body.
Steele looks gassed!
Alves lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Alves lands a left hand that snaps the head of Steele backwards.
Alves pushes off an throws an elbow but Steele leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Alves using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Steele has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Alves pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alves fails to land with a series of punches.
Steele misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Steele throws a head kick that Alves semi-blocks.
Steele tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alves swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alves lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Steele circles away quickly and effectively.
Darren Steele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Alves is leaning against Steele and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short uppercut from Alves.
Steele avoiding damage as Alves throws knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Alves.
Steele keeps control of Alves as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Steele misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves pushes off an throws an elbow but Steele leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Alves gets through Steele's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Steele stalling in the clinch but Alves improves position.
Alves tries a knee to the head but Steele blocks it.
Steele takes a shot to the head.
Alves lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Still in the clinch, Alves scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right from Alves.
Alves throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Alves lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch on the inside from Steele fails to land.
Alves scores with a shoulder strike.
Steele throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alves blocks it with crossed arms.
Alves lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Alves tries to circle away but Steele has him pinned against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Alves.
Alves lands a right hand that snaps the head of Steele backwards.
Alves avoiding damage as Steele throws knees to the body.
Alves lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Alves lands a hook to the side of the head.

Alves pulls guard successfully.
Steele won't allow Alves to get back to his feet.

Alves scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alves clinches up with Steele and pushes him back against the cage.
Alves lands a nice uppercut.
A knee to the head by Steele.
Steele looking to throw knees to the head but Alves is blocking nicely.
Steele is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alves is defending well for now.
Steele trying to control the position but instead, Alves has worked for underhooks and has pushed Steele into the cage.
Steele misses with a knee strike.
Alves using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Steele has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but Alves blocks with his arms.
Steele's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Alves wants to break free but Steele has control.
Alves has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Steele looking to throw knees to the head but Alves is blocking nicely.
Steele misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alves.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alves looking to throw knees to the head but Steele is blocking nicely.
Alves pushes off an throws an elbow but Steele leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Alves lands a nice uppercut.
Alves scores with a shoulder strike.
Steele throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves lands a body punch.
Alves lands with a light punch inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danilo Alves dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Danilo Alves's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alves fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Steele blocks a head kick by Alves.
Alves with a hook.
Steele throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alves throws a head kick that misses.
Alves wants to clinch up but Steele keeps it at a distance.
Steele is looking to clinch but Alves is avoiding it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Alves throws a series of punches but Steele moves out of range.

Alves has Steele up against the cage in a clinch.
Steele tries a knee to the head but Alves blocks it.
Alves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Alves lands a hook that snaps the head of Steele backwards.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alves misses with an elbow over the top.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Alves as Steele tries to tie him up.
Alves has a couple of punches blocked by Steele.
Steele tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice right hand lands inside from Alves.
Alves lands with a short shot to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steele is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alves is defending well for now.
Steele tries to work over Alves's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alves has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves lands a left hand.
Alves lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Steele backwards.
Alves throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Alves pulls guard.
Steele loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steele scoring with punches to the head and body.
Alves avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Steele must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Steele lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Steele throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alves keeping moving, preventing Steele from controlling successfully.
Alves wants to get back to his feet but Steele is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele passes into half guard.
Steele looks to land a strike but Alves avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Steele thows a big elbow that misses.
Alves keeping moving, preventing Steele from controlling successfully.
Steele really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Alves. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Steele with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele with a flurry of punches that miss.
Steele wants to control from the top but Alves keeps moving.
Steele throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Steele throws a strike but Alves rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Alves gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

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.
Alves doesn't manage to clinch there - Steele circles away.
Alves fails with an attempt to clinch.

Alves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Alves lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alves lands a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Alves.
Alves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Steele stalling in the clinch but Alves improves position.
Steele throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves scores with a nice hook to the head.
Alves digs a right hand underneath Steele's ribcage. Steele let out a lung full of air as it connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danilo Alves dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Danilo Alves's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Alves closes the distance and clinches.
Steele blocks the elbow strike.

Alves pulls guard successfully.

Alves pushes Steele off and scrambles back to his feet.

Oooh a lovely combination from Alves sends Steele down but not out. Alves dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Darren Steele has been cut.
Steele is not content to let Alves control the position.

Alves decides to stand back up. Alves steps back and let's Steele get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves doesn't manage to clinch there - Steele circles away.
Steele wants to clinch but Alves slips to the side

and Alves counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Alves.
Steele throws a knee to the head but misses.
Steele tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alves avoids it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Alves throws an elbow but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Alves throws an elbow but misses.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alves is leaning against Steele and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A hook to the body from Alves.
Steele with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Alves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Alves manages to pull guard.

Alves pushes Steele off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Steele slips a jab and a cross from Alves.

Alves gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alves lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Alves lands with a short shot to the head.
Good body shot from Alves.
Alves pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Alves.
Alves misses with an elbow strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Alves.
With the fighters up against the cage, Steele throws an elbow but misses.
Steele on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Alves manages to break the clinch.
Alves is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steele can do to turn this around?
Alves throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alves takes a kick to the side of the head.
Steele throws a sloppy head kick and Alves moves out of range easily.
Steele tries to clinch up

and Alves moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves avoids a wild elbow strike from Steele.
A head punch on the inside from Steele fails to land.
Alves blocks an elbow strike from Steele.
Danilo Alves has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Alves looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Steele on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Alves looking to throw knees to the head but Steele is blocking nicely.
Steele using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alves has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Alves scores with a nice hook to the head.
Danilo Alves is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Steele misses with an elbow over the top.
Alves lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steele using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alves has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Alves blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alves lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Alves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Steele tries to stall but Alves uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Steele tries a knee to the head but Alves blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Alves.
Steele throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves avoids the elbow strike from Steele, against the cage.
Alves lands with a light punch inside.
Alves scores with a nice hook to the head.

Alves ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alves no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Steele trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Steele looking to sit in guard and control but Alves gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Alves stands and steps away. Steele gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danilo Alves showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Alves, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight for Danilo Alves!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Danilo Alves!
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Danilo Alves!

Danilo Alves wins by unanimous decision!