PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viraj Mithani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steel comes to the cage accompanied by Survivor - Burning Heart. Viraj Mithani has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Steel
vs
Mithani

187 cm
23
205 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

198 cm
27
215 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple 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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Viraj Mithani!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Franklyn Lucas and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mithani takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mithani moves away from the strike by Steel.
Steel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mithani.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel looks to land a combination. Mithani sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Steel misses with a body shot
and Mithani connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mithani tries to clinch up.
Steel misses with a body shot
and Mithani counters with a series of strikes. Steel will be more careful next time no doubt.
Steel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mithani makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mithani.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mithani showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steel.
Steel throws a predictable looking body shot
and Mithani counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Steel throws an off balance right hand
and Mithani counters with a straight right hand.
Steel scores with a shot to the body.
Steel swings for the body but Mithani moves out of range.
Steel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Steel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.

Mithani forces Steel back against the cage and clinches.

Steel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Steel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mithani to score with a decent uppercut.
Steel throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Mithani to counter with a crisp jab.
Mithani misses with a few strikes there.
Steel throws a body punch but Mithani moves out of range.
A big right from Steel misses.
Mithani drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
John Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel throws a sloppy body shot
and Mithani counters with a series of strikes. Steel will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mithani looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel punishes Mithani's body with a nice straight punch.
Steel looks to score with a jab to the body but Mithani is just out of range.
Mithani throws a head kick but Steel moves out of range.
Steel's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Steel duly obliges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mithani looks gassed!
Steel misses with a wild body shot.
Steel moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Steel connects with a nice looking jab.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Steel stalks Mithani and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mithani's face. Mithani staggers backwards, shaken.
Mithani takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Steel throws a series of punches but Mithani avoids them all with ease.
John Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A combination from Steel does no damage.
Mithani slips a jab and a cross from Steel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mithani counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mithani.
Steel lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Steel misses with a double jab.
Steel slips a straight right by Mithani.
Mithani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mithani on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Steel is working the combinations to good effect here.
Mithani moves out of range as Steel strikes.
Steel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Steel.
Steel scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel jabs Mithani to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Steel jabs Mithani to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Mithani does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Mithani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Steel misses with a body shot.
Steel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steel misses with a few strikes there.
Steel scores with a nice right hand.
Steel connects with a single shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Steel dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Steel just misses with a punch to the body.
Steel avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A jab from Steel misses.
John Steel is winning the standup battle so far.
Mithani wants to clinch up but Steel keeps it at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Mithani does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Mithani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steel throws a poor cross that misses
and Mithani makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mithani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mithani uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Steel.
John Steel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steel scores with a shot to the body.
Steel is looking to wear down Mithani with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Steel misses with a two punch combination.
Steel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mithani manages to avoid it.
Mithani has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Steel scores with a one two! Mithani had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mithani is breathing heavily.
Steel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mithani circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Steel cracks a nice hook into Mithani's ribs.
A jab from Steel misses.
Mithani misses with a wild body shot.
Steel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mithani looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Steel lands a lovely overhand right.
Steel digs a good hook to Mithani's body.
Steel throws a right hand that Mithani ducks under and follows up with a left that Mithani also avoids with ease.
A combination from Steel does no damage.
Mithani dodges the punch combination from Steel.
Steel misses with a two punch combination.
Mithani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Steel. Beautiful body shot.
Mithani takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Steel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mithani counters with a nice uppercut.
Steel stuns Mithani with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Steel lands with a nice combination. Mithani backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steel displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Steel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Mithani is rocked!
Steel digs a good body shot into Mithani's ribs.
Steel throws a big shot that misses.
A punch combination from Steel misses.
Mithani showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steel.
Steel scores with a shot to the body.
Jab by Steel.
Steel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mithani can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mithani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A combination from Steel does no damage.
Steel fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Steel scores with a nice head shot.
Steel misses with a combination

and Mithani counters by moving into the clinch.
Steel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mithani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Steel lands a body shot.
A combination from Steel does no damage.
Steel jabs at Mithani's body.
Mithani avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands a jab.
Steel works the jab nicely.
Steel thows a body shot but no joy.
Some wild striking there from Steel.
Mithani shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steel but Steel pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mithani has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steel connects with a crisp jab.
Mithani showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steel.
Steel lands a right hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Steel dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Steel lands a lovely overhand right.
Steel connects with a body shot that sends Mithani's belly button to the back.
Steel misses with a double jab
and Steel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Steel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mithani counters with a left to the body.
Mithani fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steel scores with a one two! Mithani had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Mithani lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Steel circles away quickly and effectively.
Steel punishes Mithani's body with a nice straight punch.
Steel digs a good body shot into Mithani's ribs.
Mithani has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mithani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Steel scores with a hook to the body. Mithani takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Steel scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel throws a series of punches but Mithani avoids them all with ease.
Mithani showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steel.
Steel fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Steel connects with a jab.
Steel lands a nice shot to the body.
Steel rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mithani moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Steel lands a jab.
Mithani swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Steel scores with a decent looking hook.
Steel scores with a one two! Mithani had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Steel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mithani manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel leaves Mithani with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Mithani takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Steel scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel throws a big shot that misses.
Steel connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Steel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mithani on the side of the head.
Steel lands with a shot to the body.
Mithani takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mithani walks into a jab.
Steel lands with a good body shot.
Steel keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Steel.
Steel swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mithani.
Steel connects with a right hand. Mithani shakes it off.
Mithani is still on wobbly legs! Can Steel finish him?
A punch combination from Steel misses.
Mithani seems to have recovered his senses.
Steel fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mithani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Steel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mithani moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mithani takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mithani looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
John Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Viraj Mithani.
Steel lands with a right hand.
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!
Steel changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mithani counters with a series of strikes. Steel will be more careful next time no doubt.
Steel lands a nice hook to Mithani's body. Mithani takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Steel swings for the body but Mithani moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Steel misses the target.
Steel throws a series of punches but Mithani moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mithani takes one to the side of the head.
Steel takes a swing at Mithani's ribcage but misses.
Viraj Mithani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Steel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A decent looking cross lands there for Steel.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Steel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Steel, 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:25
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:25
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Steel!