PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maricue Russel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sting Steiner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Russel
vs
Steiner

190 cm
24
200 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

185 cm
33
200 lbs
29 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maricue Russel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sting Steiner!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Steiner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steiner pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Russel throws a right and a left that Steiner avoids nicely.
Steiner scores with a one two! Russel had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Steiner clinches with his opponent.

Steiner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Steiner has closed the distance and engaged Russel in a clinch.
Steiner prevents the takedown attempt.
Steiner tries to throw a body punch but Russel avoids it by throwing Steiner back against the cage.
Russel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Steiner fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Steiner tries to clinch up but Russel circles away and keeps his distance.

Steiner rushes Russel and presses him up against the cage.
Steiner misses with a short punch on the inside.
Russel wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maricue Russel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steiner tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steiner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sting Steiner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A combination from Steiner does no damage.
Steiner lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russel circles away quickly and effectively.
Steiner looks to clinch
and Russel counters with a one-two to the body.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch but Russel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Russel swats away the attempt to clinch by Steiner.
Steiner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steiner.
Steiner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steiner throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Russel's head.
Steiner wants to clinch.
Russel avoids the head kick by Steiner.

Russel gets tackled into the cage by Steiner. Steiner maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel tries for a takedown but Steiner manages to get underhooks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russel is looking to take this one to the mat.

Steiner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Decent striking displayed by Steiner there.
Steiner lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russel circles away quickly and effectively.

Steiner pushes Russel up against the cage in a clinch.
Steiner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Russel is working for takedown but Steiner is calmly controlling the position for now.
Russel jumps guard but Steiner stands there with Russel around his waist. Russel gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Steiner misses with some punches.

Steiner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steiner thows a body shot but no joy.
Steiner misses with a series of wild punches.
Steiner darts in trying to clinch

so Russel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Steiner's head.

Steiner manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Russel takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Steiner lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Steiner forces Russel back against the cage and clinches.
Steiner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Russel manages to break the clinch.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch but Russel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Russel looks for a takedown but Steiner sprawls well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Steiner lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steiner misses with a punch to the body.
Steiner lands an uppercut.
Russel wants to break the clinch but can't.
Steiner lands a left hand that snaps the head of Russel backwards.
Steiner tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Russel tries for a takedown but Steiner manages to get underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Steiner scores with a nice short uppercut.
Russel is looking for a takedown.

Steiner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steiner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steiner defending well as Russel loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Steiner has closed the distance and engaged Russel in a clinch.

Steiner breaks the clinch.
Steiner looks to land a combination but Russel avoids it well.
Steiner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Russel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Steiner misses with a head kick.
Steiner misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Steiner throws a sloppy head kick and Russel moves out of range easily.

Steiner has closed the distance and engaged Russel in a clinch.
Russel blocks a body shot from Steiner.
Russel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steiner lands a left hand.
Steiner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Steiner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sting Steiner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steiner closes the distance looking to clinch

and Russel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Steiner won't be happy with that.

Russel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Steiner, who protects the arm well.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Russel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Steiner, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steiner bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Maricue Russel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steiner lands a jab to the head.
Russel misses with a few strikes there.
Steiner misses with a series of wild punches.
Russel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steiner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steiner fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Russel on the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steiner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Russel circles away from the clinch attempt

and Russel counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The ground and pound from Russel seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Russel prevents Steiner from escaping the position.
The strikes coming from Russel are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Russel creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Steiner sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Steiner wants to get back to his feet but Russel drags him back down.
Steiner parries the strikes from Russel easily there. Russel is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Steiner to escape.
Russel has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Steiner tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Steiner is trying to stand back up.

Russel is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel has Steiner flattened out and is raining down punches.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Russel. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steiner has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Steiner covering up well and avoiding damage.
Russel throwing sloppy strikes.

Steiner fending off the submission attempt from Russel.
Steiner controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Russel connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Steiner to escape the position.
Steiner is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Russel off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steiner has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Russel is persistently looking for the submission but Steiner is defending it well.

Steiner is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Russel is persistently looking for the submission but Steiner is defending it well.
Steiner is trying to get back to his feet but Russel has full control of the position and if anything, Steiner has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Russel has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Steiner has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steiner wants to get back to his feet.

Steiner manages to escape to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maricue Russel dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Steiner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Russel throws out the jab.
Russel swats away the attempt to clinch by Steiner.
Steiner tries to clinch but Russel moves out of range.
Russel fails to land the takedown.
Russel misses with a wild combination.
Steiner tries to clinch there but Russel circles away.
Steiner throws a push kick but Russel slaps the foot to one side.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Steiner sprawls well. Steiner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Russel gets slowly back to his feet.
A big left from Russel misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steiner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Steiner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steiner lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Russel backs up against the cage.
Steiner moves in looking to clinch but Russel pushes him off.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Steiner listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Russel fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maricue Russel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steiner pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Steiner clinches with his opponent.

Steiner breaks from the clinch.
Russel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Russel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Steiner was covering up waiting for the punch and Russel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steiner wants to stand up but Russel is controlling him.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Steiner's head.
Steiner wants to stand up but Russel is controlling him.
Steiner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russel trying to control the position from guard on top but Steiner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steiner wants to stand up but Russel is controlling him.
Russel passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Russel tries to score with some ground and pound. Steiner controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Russel in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Steiner managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Russel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel lands a few punches from side control.

Russel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Russel looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Steiner is avoiding damage well.
Russel trying to control the action but Steiner is working from the bottom.
Russel is chipping away with strikes.

Russel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Steiner tries to escape but Russel is in control.

Russel tries for a kimura but Steiner is defending well.
Russel looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Steiner is avoiding damage well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steiner pushes Russel away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Russel gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Russel working the body and head with strikes.
Steiner is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russel working the head with strikes.
Steiner is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Russel has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Russel is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Steiner is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Steiner is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Russel has just dragged him back down to the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russel throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Steiner is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Russel has just dragged him back down to the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Maricue Russel did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Russel tries a head kick but it misses.
Steiner misses with a head kick.

Russel gets a takedown into half guard.
Russel landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Russel wants to pass the guard but Steiner is defending well.
Steiner is trying to stand.
Russel trying to control from half guard but Steiner is working away.
Russel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Steiner's head.

Russel is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Steiner looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russel is nestled in close to Steiner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Russel throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Steiner looks like he's trying to stand up.
Steiner is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Steiner is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Steiner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Russel lands with a punch from half guard.
Russel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Steiner defending well though.
Russel stalling.
Russel stops Steiner from getting back to his feet.
Maricue Russel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Steiner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Steiner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Russel stops Steiner from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel is nestled in close to Steiner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russel missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Russel drops an elbow to the side of Steiner's head.
Steiner is not content to let Russel control the position.
Steiner is looking to escape.

Russel wants to work for an arm triangle but Steiner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Steiner is trying to stand up here but Russel is controlling him well.
Russel winds up and cracks Steiner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Russel thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Russel thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Steiner wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Steiner wants to get back to his feet.
Russel is pressing down on Steiner's thigh, looking to free his foot. Steiner is holding on for now.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Russel connects with a nice short shot to Steiner's temple.
Russel stops Steiner from getting back to his feet.

Russel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Steiner has managed to free his arm - good work.
Russel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Steiner's head.
Steiner is refusing to be controlled, as Russel sits in half guard.
Steiner pushes Russel off looking to stand but Russel dives back in and keeps control.
Russel seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Steiner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russel is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Steiner kicks Russel off and gets back to his feet.
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!

Steiner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Russel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Russel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Steiner wants to stand but Russel is controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russel throws a big elbow that misses.
Steiner wants to stand and escape but Russel is having none of it.
Russel wants to control from the top but Steiner keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maricue Russel had his way with Sting Steiner in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Russel shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Steiner is trying to defend but Russel finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Russel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Russel stops Steiner from getting back to his feet.
Russel seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Russel working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Steiner kicks off Russel and gets to his feet.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Russel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steiner throws a head kick that misses.
Steiner is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Russel fails with a takedown attempt.
A slow jab from Russel misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steiner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Steiner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Steiner throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Russel on the side of the head.
Steiner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Steiner moves in looking to clinch but Russel pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steiner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steiner tries to clinch up.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Steiner tries to clinch there but Russel circles away.
Steiner tries to clinch up
enabling Russel to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steiner tries to clinch but Russel is having none of it.
Sting Steiner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Russel looks to land a combination but Steiner avoids it well.
Steiner closes the distance but Russel moves to the side
and Russel connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Russel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Steiner looks to land a right hand but Russel moved out of range.
Steiner is looking to clinch but Russel is avoiding it.
Steiner throws a series of punches but Russel avoids them all with ease.
Russel keeps the fight on the outside.

Steiner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
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!
A short left from Steiner.

Steiner breaks the clinch.
Steiner wants to clinch up but Russel keeps it at a distance.
Russel shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russel swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Russel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Steiner looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Steiner is trying to buck Russel off.
Steiner takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Russel trying to control the action but Steiner is working from the bottom.

Russel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Steiner, who protects the arm well.
Maricue Russel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Russel trying to control the position but Steiner is working away.
Steiner pushes Russel away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Russel gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russel is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Steiner's shoulder. That is not cool.

Russel is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Steiner is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Steiner prevents Russel from moving into mount.
Russel trying to control the position but Steiner is working away.
Sting Steiner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steiner is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Russel is controlling him well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steiner keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maricue Russel showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Russel has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maricue Russel!
Maricue Russel is the new middleweight champion!
An out of breath Maricue Russel thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.