PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fabian Steal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tryibcetu etuogwe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Steal
vs
etuogwe

175 cm
23
175 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

180 cm
18
168 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fabian Steal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tryibcetu etuogwe!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
etuogwe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Steal.
etuogwe shoots in but no luck this time.
Steal tries to close the distance and clinch but etuogwe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
etuogwe shoots in and drives through. Steal sprawls well.
Steal wants to clinch.
etuogwe catches Steal with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
No joy there for Steal, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

etuogwe gets a takedown into half guard.
Steal tries to kick etuogwe off but etuogwe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Steal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from etuogwe.
Steal is trying to stand up here but etuogwe is controlling him well.
etuogwe throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
etuogwe thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Steal to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
etuogwe looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

etuogwe gets to his feet - Steal follows without any prompting.

etuogwe moves into range and clinches up with Steal.
etuogwe has Steal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Steal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fabian Steal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tryibcetu etuogwe.
Steal keeps control of etuogwe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Steal manages to break the clinch.
Steal tries to close the distance and clinch up but etuogwe swats him away and circles back towards the center.

etuogwe gets a clinch.
Steal lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Steal has etuogwe pressed against the cage, preventing etuogwe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
etuogwe looking for a takedown.

Steal breaks from the clinch.

etuogwe shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
etuogwe misses with a head shot. Steal uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
etuogwe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Steal has his feet on etuogwe's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
etuogwe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Steal tries to clinch but etuogwe moves out of range.
Steal stuffs the takedown attempt from etuogwe. etuogwe gets slowly back to his feet.
etuogwe misses with a takedown

and Steal moves into the clinch.
etuogwe looks gassed!
etuogwe is trying to break the clinch but Steal has him pressed against the cage.

Steal turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Steal manages to end up in side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
etuogwe pushes Steal away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Steal gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steal looking to punish the body of his opponent here but etuogwe is avoiding damage well.
etuogwe pushes Steal away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Steal gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
etuogwe defending against the ground and pound.
etuogwe pushes Steal away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Steal gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Steal cracks etuogwe with a big elbow.
Steal in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Steal trying to control the position but etuogwe is working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
etuogwe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steal.
Steal tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but etuogwe swivels and escapes.
Steal tries to clinch up

and etuogwe counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
etuogwe thows a big elbow that misses.
etuogwe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Steal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
etuogwe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steal swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Steal controls etuogwe momentarily but etuogwe frees himself.
etuogwe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steal swivels though and keeps the full guard.
etuogwe stops Steal from standing up.
etuogwe is looking to work some ground and pound but Steal has wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

etuogwe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Steal, pushing him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on etuogwe's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Steal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
etuogwe is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tryibcetu etuogwe dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Steal tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but etuogwe paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steal fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
etuogwe dodges the punch combination from Steal.
Steal wants to clinch but etuogwe slips to the side

and etuogwe moves into the clinch.

Steal breaks from the clinch.

etuogwe takes the fight into the clinch.
etuogwe trying to control the position but instead, Steal has worked for underhooks and has pushed etuogwe into the cage.
etuogwe gets through Steal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Steal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
etuogwe lands a right hand.
etuogwe lands a left hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
etuogwe wants to get back to striking at distance but Steal won't allow it.
etuogwe tries to score a body lock takedown but Steal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Steal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steal shoots in for a takedown but etuogwe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Steal closes the distance but etuogwe moves to the side
and etuogwe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steal tries to clinch up but etuogwe circles away and keeps his distance.
Fabian Steal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Steal gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows etuogwe to score an easy takedown into full guard.
etuogwe must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
etuogwe trying to stand up but can't free himself from Steal's guard.
etuogwe with a flurry of punches that miss.
etuogwe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
etuogwe scoring with punches to the head and body.
etuogwe wants to pass the guard but Steal is keeping the position.
etuogwe's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
etuogwe landing some decent shots from guard.
Steal working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from etuogwe.
etuogwe showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Tryibcetu etuogwe has got the better of the ground game so far.
etuogwe wanted to stand there but Steal had control of the position.

etuogwe stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Steal misses with the combination.
etuogwe shoots in for a takedown but Steal shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fabian Steal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steal tries to clinch there but etuogwe circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steal tries to clinch but etuogwe moves away

and etuogwe holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
etuogwe tries to score a body lock takedown but Steal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fabian Steal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tryibcetu etuogwe.
Steal tries to break free but etuogwe pushes him back against the cage.
etuogwe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short body shot lands from etuogwe as the two fighters clinch.
Steal is looking to break free of the clinch but etuogwe has double underhooks.
Steal wants to get back to striking at distance but etuogwe won't allow it.
etuogwe throws an elbow but it misses.

Steal breaks the clinch.
Steal tries to clinch but etuogwe is having none of it.
etuogwe fails with the takedown.
Steal throws a nice looking combination but etuogwe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Steal defends well against a solid takedown attempt from etuogwe.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from etuogwe is defended easily by Steal.

Steal shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steal lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Steal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
etuogwe keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

etuogwe has one foot on Steal's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

etuogwe darts in and clinches Steal up against the cage.
etuogwe jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Steal walks away with a smile on his face. etuogwe gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
etuogwe has his takedown stuffed
and Steal counters with a one-two to the body.

etuogwe rushes Steal and presses him up against the cage.
Steal tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. etuogwe just stands there and leans against the cage.
etuogwe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Steal backwards.

Steal breaks the clinch.
Steal circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tryibcetu etuogwe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Steal's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

etuogwe rushes Steal and presses him up against the cage.

Steal manages to break the clinch.
Steal is looking to clinch.
Steal tries to work over etuogwe's front leg with a kick but etuogwe checks it.
etuogwe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Steal has closed the distance and engaged etuogwe in a clinch.

Steal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steal looks to land a combination but etuogwe avoids it well.
etuogwe connects with a right hand. Steal shakes it off.
etuogwe shoots in for a double leg but Steal sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Steal tries to bum rush etuogwe with a series of wild strikes but etuogwe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

etuogwe pushes Steal up against the cage in a clinch.
Steal working some nice short punches in the clinch.
etuogwe blocks an elbow strike from Steal.
etuogwe blocks an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steal tries to break free but etuogwe pushes him back against the cage.
Steal has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. etuogwe is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
etuogwe tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Steal just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fabian Steal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tryibcetu etuogwe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steal gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from etuogwe.
etuogwe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
etuogwe is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Steal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. etuogwe gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
etuogwe misses with the head strike.

Steal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
etuogwe fails with a takedown attempt.

Steal tries to keep at a distance but etuogwe has taken the fight into the clinch.

Steal breaks the clinch.
etuogwe fails with a takedown attempt.
etuogwe blocks a head kick by Steal.
Tryibcetu etuogwe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steal gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows etuogwe to score an easy takedown into full guard.

etuogwe stands up from guard. Let's bang!
etuogwe keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - etuogwe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from etuogwe is defended easily by Steal.
Steal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steal looks to clinch

and etuogwe counters by clinching up.

etuogwe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steal fails to land with a series of punches.

etuogwe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Steal sprawls well initially but etuogwe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steal has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. etuogwe is working away from the top position though.
etuogwe prevents Steal from improving his position.
Steal has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. etuogwe is working away from the top position though.
etuogwe is looking to take a break and control but Steal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Steal tries to roll over but etuogwe keeps him under control.

etuogwe decides to stand and escape the position.
etuogwe misses with a takedown

and Steal counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Steal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Steal stalling the fight.
etuogwe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Steal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
etuogwe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Steal tries to clinch but fails miserably

and etuogwe counters with a shoot takedown. Steal fights it but they end up in guard.
etuogwe wants to stand and escape but instead Steal has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Steal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
etuogwe wants to get back to his feet but Steal is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Steal with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
etuogwe wants to stand up but Steal is controlling him.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Steal's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fabian Steal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steal throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tryibcetu etuogwe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got etuogwe 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tryibcetu etuogwe!