PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julien Abessera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steel comes into the arena with Survivor - Burning Heart blaring out of the sound system. Abessera has chosen Get the funk out of my face. as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Steel
vs
Abessera

187 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

187 cm
24
217 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Asphyxiation Ltd. (CBK)

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 5 - 4 - 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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Julien Abessera!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Reed Andrews and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abessera throws a right hand that misses
and Steel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Abessera pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abessera is looking to chop away at Steel's legs.
Abessera with a poor takedown
letting Steel counter with a right hand.
Abessera is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Steel.
Julien Abessera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abessera misses with the combination.
Abessera misses with a left hand
and Steel counters with a left to the body.
Abessera shoots and misses
and Steel counters with a series of strikes. Abessera will be more careful next time no doubt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right-left combo lands from Steel.

Abessera is rocked!
Steel lands with a nice body punch.
Abessera looks gassed!
Abessera misses with a double jab
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Abessera is still on wobbly legs! Can Steel finish him?
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Abessera seems to have recovered his senses.
Abessera misses with a double jab
and Steel counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Steel jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel misses with a few strikes there.
Steel lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
John Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Abessera is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Steel.
Steel scores with a jab to the body.
Abessera takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A left and a right from Steel both land. Nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abessera gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Steel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Abessera misses with a right hand
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Abessera thinking.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Abessera circles away quickly and effectively.
Steel misses with the combination.
Steel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Abessera looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws a right hand that Abessera ducks under and follows up with a left that Abessera also avoids with ease.
No joy there for Steel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Steel looks to land a combination but Abessera avoids it well.
Steel is working the combinations to good effect here.
Steel misses with the combination.
Steel scores with a hook to the body. Abessera takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Abessera falls off balance throwing a combination
and Steel counters with a three punch combo that has Abessera backing up. Abessera nods at Steel to acknowledge the strikes.
Steel misses with a combination
and Abessera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Steel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Steel scores with a crisp jab that stopped Abessera in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Steel wants it to stay on the feet.
John Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julien Abessera.
Good exchange - Steel coming out on top.
Danga de danga de dang - Steel scores with a four punch combination!
Steel misses with a wild combination.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Abessera doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.
Abessera swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Steel counters with a one-two to the body.
Abessera is trying desperately to land a takedown but Steel is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Abessera.
Steel digs a good body shot into Abessera's ribs.
Steel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Steel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Abessera throws a right hand that misses
and Steel counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel jabs at Abessera's body.
Steel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Abessera's hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel tries to bum rush Abessera with a series of wild strikes but Abessera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Steel dips to his left and cracks Abessera with an uppercut!
Abessera dives in and grabs Steel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Steel pushes down on Abessera's head and hops out.
Steel lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Steel.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A combination from Steel does no damage.
Steel throws a series of punches but Abessera avoids them all with ease.
Abessera lands a nice looking body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Steel dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Steel connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Abessera connects with a single shot there.
John Steel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Abessera throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Abessera thinking.
Steel scores with a three punch combo!
Steel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Abessera.
Some bone on bone action there as Steel checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Abessera throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Abessera thinking.
Steel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Abessera swings widly with a right hand
and Steel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Abessera takes one to the chin there.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Abessera might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Steel has got the better of the exchanges.
Abessera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Abessera can do to turn this around?
Abessera falls off balance throwing a combination
and Steel makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abessera gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Steel.
Abessera is breathing heavily.
Abessera takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Steel scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Steel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Abessera misses with a combination
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Abessera thinking.
Steel misses with a wild combination.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Steel circles away from the clinch attempt
and Steel counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Abessera has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Abessera misses with an uppercut
and Steel counters with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands a jab-cross combination.
Steel lands a right hook to the body.
Steel goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steel lands a jab-cross combination.
Steel lands with an overhand left.
Abessera wants to clinch
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Steel misses with a wild combination.
Steel scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sloppy strikes from Steel. Those never looked like landing.
Steel is looking to wear down Abessera with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Abessera rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abessera swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Steel counters with a three punch combo that has Abessera backing up. Abessera nods at Steel to acknowledge the strikes.
Steel digs a good hook to Abessera's body.
Danga de danga de dang - Steel scores with a four punch combination!
Steel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Abessera eats them both and turns towards Steel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Steel misses with a double jab.
Steel lands a jab-cross combination.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Abessera circles away quickly and effectively.
Abessera misses with a low kick.
Steel throws a series of punches but Abessera moves out of range.
Steel lands a nice shot to the body.
Abessera throws a right hand that misses
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Abessera tries for a takedown but Steel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Steel fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Steel lands a jab-cross combination.
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!
Abessera rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Steel counters with a two punch combo.
John Steel is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice body punch from Steel.
Steel punishes Abessera's body with a nice straight punch.
Steel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Abessera eats them both and turns towards Steel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Abessera has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steel works Abessera's body with a nice hook.
Steel lands a jab-cross combination.
Steel with a nice cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Steel dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Abessera throws a combination that misses
and Steel counters with a two punch combo.
Abessera closes the distance and clinches up with Steel, looking for a takedown. Abessera pushes Steel against the cage but Steel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Abessera swings widly with a right hand
and Steel counters with a nice uppercut.
Steel throws a series of punches but Abessera moves out of range.
Abessera misses with a left hand
and Steel counters with a two punch combo.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Abessera circles away quickly and effectively.
Steel misses with a double jab.
Steel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Abessera eats them both and turns towards Steel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Abessera throws a lazy uppercut
letting Steel counter with a right hand.
Steel throws a combination. Abessera tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Left hook, right uppercut from Steel.
Abessera shoots and misses
and Steel counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Steel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Abessera eats them both and turns towards Steel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Abessera throws a low kick but it's checked well by Steel.
Steel goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Abessera takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Steel misses with a two punch combination.
Abessera has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Steel finds it's way round the side to connect with Abessera's head.
Abessera shoots for a double leg takedown but Steel sprawls well. He's pushed Abessera's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
John Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julien Abessera.
Steel lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Steel throws a right and a left that Abessera avoids nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Steel tries to bum rush Abessera with a series of wild strikes but Abessera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Abessera misses with a double jab
and Steel counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands a nice hook to Abessera's body. Abessera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Steel lands a two punch combo.
Steel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Abessera's head backwards.
Steel scores with a punch to the head.
Abessera doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Steel scores with a four punch combination!
Steel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Horrible takedown by Abessera or perhaps it was just good defense by Steel which made him look bad.
Steel works over Abessera's head and body with a nice combination.
Abessera misses with a takedown attempt
and Steel counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Steel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Steel's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Steel duly obliges.
Abessera tries a head kick but it misses.
Steel connects with a body shot.
No joy there for Steel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Steel lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Abessera at a distance.
Abessera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Steel lands a jab to Abessera's midsection.
A left lands for Steel.
Abessera throws a sloppy body shot
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Steel lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Abessera backs up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Abessera is trying hard to land a takedown here. Steel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Steel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Abessera's head backwards.
Steel tries to bum rush Abessera with a series of wild strikes but Abessera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Abessera gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Steel misses with a few strikes there.
Steel throws a nice looking combination but Abessera bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Julien Abessera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab from Steel.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abessera tries to close the distance and clinch but Steel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abessera shoots in and drives through. Steel sprawls well.
Steel lands a nice hook to Abessera's body. Abessera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
John Steel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Steel changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Steel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Steel has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:25
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:24
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:24

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