PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kevin McArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blue Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McArthur's entrance music is Breathing. A fine choice. Kevin McArthur has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

McArthur
vs
Steel

200 cm
22
144 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

178 cm
26
135 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Global Empire MMA Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kevin McArthur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Blue Steel!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McArthur missing with a left hand there. Steel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Steel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Steel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McArthur tries to avoid it but Steel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McArthur to the ground. McArthur escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Steel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McArthur pinned against the cage. McArthur gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Steel ducks under a wild hook from McArthur.
McArthur throws a combination that misses

and Steel counters with a single leg into guard. McArthur didn't expect that.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McArthur seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
McArthur really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Steel won't allow McArthur to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McArthur pulls Steel in close to his closed guard and prevents Steel from doing any damage or advancing position.

Steel 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Steel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Steel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Steel drops back looking for a leg! McArthur is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McArthur manages to kick Steel off! Steel jumps back into McArthur's guard.
McArthur looking for a sweep. Not yet McArthur, not yet.
McArthur wants to get back to his feet but Steel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McArthur will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McArthur trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McArthur looking for a sweep. Not yet McArthur, not yet.
McArthur looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McArthur has Steel pulled in close to control his posture.

Steel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Steel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Steel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
McArthur looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Steel stops McArthur from standing up.
McArthur wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.

Steel 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.
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 stops McArthur from standing up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Steel stopping the sweep attempt from McArthur.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McArthur is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
McArthur has control of Steel's left arm, preventing Steel from doing any damage.
Steel slips nicely into half guard.
McArthur wants to get back to his feet.

McArthur kicks off Steel and gets to his feet.
Steel shoots in looking for a takedown but McArthur manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Steel's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kevin McArthur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blue Steel.
Steel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Steel dives in and grabs McArthur's left leg, looking for a takedown. McArthur pushes down on Steel's head and hops out.
Steel fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kevin McArthur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel slips a straight right by McArthur.
Steel tries to clinch there but McArthur circles away.
Nice defenses there by McArthur.
Steel darts in trying to clinch
and McArthur counters with a three punch combo that has Steel backing up. Steel nods at McArthur to acknowledge the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McArthur misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin McArthur dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Steel shoots in for a double leg but McArthur sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Steel wants to clinch up but McArthur keeps it at a distance.
Steel slips under a jab.
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McArthur throws out the jab.
McArthur lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A jab lands there for McArthur.
Steel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McArthur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Steel.
McArthur lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Blue Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel tries to close the distance and clinch but McArthur swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McArthur pinned against the cage. McArthur gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kevin McArthur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blue Steel.
Steel fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel ducks right into an uppercut from McArthur.
McArthur scores with a three punch combo!

Steel is rocked!
McArthur circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steel tries to score a power double leg takedown but McArthur sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Steel somewhat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steel tries to close the distance and clinch up but McArthur swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Steel closes the distance and clinches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Steel.
McArthur is working Steel over against the cage.
McArthur is looking to break free of the clinch but Steel has double underhooks.
McArthur tries to break the clinch but Steel is controlling the position.
A knee to the head by Steel.
Steel misses with a knee strike.
Steel with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Steel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McArthur is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

McArthur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Steel rushes McArthur and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McArthur scores with a hook to the body.
McArthur is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McArthur taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

McArthur breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Steel wants to clinch but McArthur slips to the side
and McArthur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steel shoots in but no luck this time.

Steel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McArthur looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steel is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Steel drops back looking for a leg! McArthur is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McArthur manages to kick Steel off! Steel jumps back into McArthur's guard.
McArthur looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steel is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin McArthur 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!

Steel tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Steel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Steel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Steel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jab from McArthur.
Steel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McArthur avoids it really well and circles away.
Steel shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McArthur counters with a series of strikes. Steel will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kevin McArthur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blue Steel.
McArthur throws a good cross that connects.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel shoots in and drives through. McArthur sprawls well.
Kevin McArthur is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice cross by McArthur.
McArthur thows a left - swing and a miss!
Steel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McArthur paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Steel is defended easily by McArthur.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McArthur.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McArthur scores with a decent looking hook.
McArthur displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Steel.
McArthur lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McArthur.
Steel is still on wobbly legs! Can McArthur finish him?
Steel dodges the punch combination from McArthur.
Steel seems to have recovered his senses.
Steel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McArthur's waist but McArthur gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Steel off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Steel.
McArthur swinging wildly here.
Steel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McArthur counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel wants to clinch but McArthur slips to the side
and McArthur counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Steel with a hook.
Steel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Steel shoots and misses
and McArthur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Steel doesn't manage to clinch there - McArthur circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McArthur misses with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin McArthur showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McArthur 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin McArthur!
Our winner, Kevin McArthur, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.