PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Austin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Bruens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Austin comes to the cage accompanied by Stone Cold Steve Austin's entrance music. Bruens has chosen River Below as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Austin
vs
Bruens

185 cm
34
160 lbs
24 - 12 - 0

168 cm
32
170 lbs
23 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

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 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Steve Austin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Paul Bruens!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Austin fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bruens checks it well.
Austin misses with a wild body shot.
Bruens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Austin.
A jab from Austin misses.
Austin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bruens.
Austin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A slow jab from Austin misses its intended target.

Bruens closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Austin did well to prevent Bruens getting side control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Bruens is looking for a kimura here.
Austin wants to get back to full guard.
Austin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bruens's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bruens's back!
Austin has the hooks in. Bruens is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Austin scores with punches to the body.
Bruens turns into Austin and is now in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruens trying to control but Austin is working from the bottom.

Bruens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Austin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bruens has managed to get both his arms back between Austin's legs - danger averted.
Bruens throws a big elbow that misses.
Bruens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Austin is keeping the position for now.
Austin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Austin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bruens is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Austin looking for a guillotine here but Bruens defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bruens controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Austin lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bruens!
Austin working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Bruens tries to reverse the position but Austin maintains control.
The referee warns Bruens that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Austin wants to control the pace but Bruens is squirming around nicely.
Austin content just to control the position here.
Bruens is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bruens is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bruens is in a horrible position here. Austin smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bruens is wriggling around trying to escape.
Austin working Bruens over with strikes here.
Austin tries to control but Bruens wriggling away.
Bruens keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Austin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Austin takes Bruens's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Bruens is in trouble.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Austin wants to control but Bruens manages to buck him off and is now in Austin's guard! Nice work there by Bruens!
Bruens throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Austin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Austin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bruens trying to control but Austin is working from the bottom.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bruens trying to move into half guard but instead Austin has managed to sweep!
Austin trying to control the position from guard on top but Bruens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bruens is on top in guard.
Austin keeping moving, preventing Bruens from controlling successfully.
Austin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Austin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bruens is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bruens is looking to advance position but Austin has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Austin pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Bruens is working to get back to half guard.
Austin looking to control but Bruens is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bruens is desperately trying to improve his position but Austin has a good base and remains in mount.
Bruens tries to hold on but Austin postures up.
Bruens really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Austin punishing his opponent with strikes.
Austin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Austin wants to control the pace but Bruens is squirming around nicely.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Austin lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Austin content just to control the position here.
Bruens can't escape the position.
Austin cracks Bruens with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Bruens really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Austin lands with some strikes.
Austin controlling from mount.
Bruens is squirming around, avoiding Austin's attempts to control the action.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bruens is trying desperately to improve position.
Austin fails to advance to Bruens's back.
Bruens manages to regain half guard. Good work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Austin prevents Bruens from improving his position.
Bruens is trying is best to control the position here.
Austin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Austin trying to control from half guard but Bruens is working away.
Bruens tries to roll over but Austin keeps him under control.

Austin seems to be working for a kimura but Bruens defends the submission attempt.
Bruens is controlling Austin's trapped leg to prevent Austin from advancing to side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bruens is looking for a sweep. Austin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Austin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Bruens is pressing down on Austin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Austin dominated that round.
That's time! Austin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bruens looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Austin is fending him off so far but Bruens persists. Nope, Austin circles away and we're back to standing.
Austin throws a combination. Bruens tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Austin scores with a shot to the body.
Bruens throws a body punch but Austin moves out of range.
Austin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bruens moves away.
Austin tests Bruens's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bruens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Austin.

Bruens drives through with a takedown into Austin's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Steve Austin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Austin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Austin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bruens is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
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!

Austin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bruens defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Austin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bruens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bruens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bruens wants to control from the top but Austin keeps moving.
Bruens is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Austin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Austin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Austin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bruens is aware though and is defending well.

Austin working for a triangle but Bruens defends it easily.
Bruens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bruens not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bruens is looking to advance position but Austin has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Bruens is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruens is squirming around, avoiding Austin's attempts to control the action.
Bruens is trying to escape the mount.
Austin controlling the position easily from mount.
Bruens working to try and regain half guard.
Austin with shots to the head and body - Bruens looks very uncomfortable down there.
Bruens is desperately trying to improve his position but Austin has a good base and remains in mount.
Bruens reaches up to try and control the position but Austin seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Bruens rolls and tries to escape and now Austin has his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Austin working for a choke but Bruens is defending well.
Bruens looking very determined here, making life difficult for Austin.
Bruens tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Bruens is squirming around, avoiding Austin's attempts to control the action.
Bruens is in all sorts of trouble here.

Austin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bruens is trying desperately to improve position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Austin lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Austin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Austin prevents Bruens from getting the reversal.

Austin is working for a guillotine from mount but Bruens frees his head quite easily.
Bruens is squirming around, avoiding Austin's attempts to control the action.
Bruens gets back to half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bruens won't allow Austin to pass to mount.
Austin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bruens is trying to control but Austin manages to pass to mount!
Austin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bruens can't escape the position.
Bruens wants to control but Austin is having none of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Austin is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Bruens can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Austin wants to control the pace but Bruens is squirming around nicely.
Bruens wants to control but Austin is having none of it.

Austin wants to finish this one by submission but Bruens is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Austin.
Bruens can't escape the position.
Austin controlling his opponent.
Austin prevents Bruens from getting the reversal.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bruens tries to hold on but Austin pushes him away.
Austin lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Bruens is squirming around, avoiding Austin's attempts to control the action.
Austin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bruens tries to improve his position but instead Austin has taken his back!
Austin is looking to control Bruens but Bruens is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Austin throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bruens tries to escape but Austin has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Bruens tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Austin lands a heavy elbow.
Bruens bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Austin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bruens defends it easily.
Austin wants to sweep here but Bruens controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bruens trying to control the position from guard on top but Austin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Austin 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!

Bruens misses the jab.
Bruens shoots in and drives through. Austin sprawls well.
Steve Austin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bruens misses with a takedown attempt - Austin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Austin on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bruens tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bruens just misses with a punch to the body.
Austin loads up on a big right hand but Bruens slips the punch.
Austin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Austin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bruens ducks under a wild hook from Austin.

Austin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bruens to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Bruens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Austin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bruens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruens looking to sit in guard and control but Austin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Austin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bruens swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Austin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Austin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bruens's guard.
Bruens is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Austin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Austin's back!
Austin turns into Bruens and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruens keeping full guard, as Austin tries to pass.
Austin's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Bruens looking for subs off his back but Austin has passed one foot through into half guard.
Austin is taking a breather. Bruens says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Bruens is looking for a sweep. Austin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Austin is looking to pass Bruens's guard but actually Bruens recovers to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruens is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Austin won't allow Bruens to sweep him here.
Bruens is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Austin cracks Bruens with a solid left hand.
Austin is pushing down on Bruens's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bruens is fighting to maintain full guard but Austin has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Austin lands a nice short elbow.
Austin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Bruens wants to control but Austin is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Austin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bruens slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bruens throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.

Austin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bruens has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Austin has managed to get both his arms back between Bruens's legs - danger averted.
Bruens doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Austin is stalling in the full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bruens trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Austin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Austin stopping the sweep attempt from Bruens.
Austin wants to control from the top but Bruens keeps moving.
Austin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bruens manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Austin manages to get himself to full guard.

Austin has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Bruens should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Austin has tightened it up now! Bruens should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Steve Austin!
As Steve Austin got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Throw me a couple of Steveweisers!'.