PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mick Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Masters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masters is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Living in America. Mick Steel had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Steel
vs
Masters

186 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
192 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mick Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ken Masters!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masters misses the shot to the body.
Steel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Masters leaves Steel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Steel tries for a takedown but Masters sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mick Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masters tries to clinch up.
Masters keeps the fight on the outside.
Steel dives in for a single leg takedown but Masters sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Steel jumps guard but Masters stands there with Steel around his waist. Steel gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Steel has been working on his balance at GyM, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Masters.
Masters trying to land knees to the body.
Steel tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Masters just stands there and leans against the cage.

Masters breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Masters throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Steel's head.
Steel blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel tries to score a power double leg takedown but Masters sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Steel somewhat.
Masters throws a head kick but Steel moves out of range.
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.
Masters ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Masters misses with a few strikes there.
Masters scores with a shot to the body.
Steel darts in trying to clinch
and Masters makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Masters. That's going to slow Steel down.
Masters feints a jab promting Steel to slip. Masters then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Steel slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Mick Steel has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries a head kick but it misses.
Masters lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Steel is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masters feints and then cracks Steel's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Steel down.
Oh Steel is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Steel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Steel throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Masters counters with a good low kick that Steel was not able to check.
Steel seems to have got his legs back now.
Steel is breathing heavily.
Masters tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steel was well out of range. Poor timing from Masters.
Masters misses with a body kick.
Steel blocks a head kick by Masters.
Steel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steel moves into range and connects with a jab.
Masters looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel misses with a takedown attempt
and Masters counters with a three punch combo that has Steel backing up. Steel nods at Masters to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Steel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Steel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Masters avoids it really well and circles away.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Steel. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Masters with a hook.
Masters looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Masters misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Steel shoots in for a takedown but Masters shows good takedown defense.
Masters throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Masters throws a series of punches but Steel moves out of range.
Masters falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Steel to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries to clinch up but Steel circles away and keeps his distance.
A punch combination from Masters misses.
Masters tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Masters keeps the fight on the outside.
Masters wants to clinch.
Masters avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Masters circles away.
Masters tries to bum rush Steel with a series of wild strikes but Steel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Masters is looking to clinch but Steel is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Masters dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mick Steel's cut.
That's time! Steel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Masters throws a head kick that misses.
Steel dives in and grabs Masters's left leg, looking for a takedown. Masters pushes down on Steel's head and hops out.
Masters lands a glancing blow to the side of Steel's head.

Steel fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Masters to the ground. Steel is now in Masters's guard.
Masters is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Steel won't allow Masters to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masters controls Steel momentarily but Steel frees himself.

Masters is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Steel is aware though and is defending well.
Steel wants to pass the guard but Masters is keeping the position.
Masters wants to stand and escape but Steel is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters is trying to control the position but Steel postures up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ken Masters hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Steel paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Masters scores with a leg kick.
Ken Masters seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Masters throws a series of punches but Steel moves out of range.
Masters thuds his shin into the meat of Steel's side.
Steel tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masters swats away the attempt to clinch by Steel.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Steel is defended easily by Masters.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horrible takedown by Steel or perhaps it was just good defense by Masters which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mick Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Masters.
Masters throws a head kick but Steel moves out of range.
Masters tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Steel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Masters swings away with a body shot that misses
and Steel counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters throws a front kick that sends Steel stumbling back into the cage.
Steel throws a sloppy head kick and Masters moves out of range easily.
Jab, jab by Masters - just one landing.

Masters clinches up with Steel and pushes him back against the cage.
Masters is trying to break the clinch but Steel is controlling him.

Masters escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters circling a little - Masters finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Steel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Masters goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Masters - that will leave a mark!
Masters ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Masters moves into range and clinches up with Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters lands a body shot.
Masters lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Masters's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Masters tries to clinch but Steel moves out of range.
Masters tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Steel shoots in and drives through. Masters sprawls well.
Masters throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Masters's corner calls for a 1-2. Masters obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Masters throws a sloppy head kick and Steel moves out of range easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Masters fails in his attempt to clinch.
Masters scores with the left hand. Steel knows he should have avoided that one.
Masters fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Masters showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mick Steel's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Masters fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel tries to clinch up.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masters.
Masters avoids the head kick by Steel.
Masters throws a push kick but Steel slaps the foot to one side.

Masters moves into the clinch.
Masters blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel looking to throw knees to the head but Masters is blocking nicely.
Steel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Masters's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steel pivots, looking for a leg kick but Masters is out of range and Steel settles back down.
Steel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Masters sprawls well. Masters wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Steel gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Masters delivers a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters scores with a nice body kick.
Masters rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Steel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masters lands with an uppercut that bounces Steel off the cage and back into range.
Masters tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Masters misses with a straight left.
Masters throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mick Steel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Masters lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Steel at a distance.
Masters slaps away a takedown attempt from Steel, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mick Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masters connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masters swats away the attempt to clinch by Steel.
Ken Masters is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Masters pushes Steel up against the cage in a clinch.
Masters is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Steel tries to pull guard but Masters forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Masters pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
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!
Masters tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steel throws a head kick but Masters moves out of range.
Masters jabs at Steel's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steel throws a body kick that misses.
Masters throws a shot to the body.
Masters throws a head kick that misses.
Masters swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Steel tries to clinch there but Masters circles away.
Steel takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Masters pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Masters throws a head kick but Steel moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Masters - just one landing.
Steel shoots for a double leg takedown but Masters sprawls well. He's pushed Steel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Steel swats away the attempt to clinch by Masters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries to clinch there but Steel circles away.
Ken Masters is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Masters fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steel avoids the head kick by Masters.

Masters closes the distance and clinches.
Steel trying to stall but Masters improves his position.
Masters misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Masters gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steel tries to break free but Masters pushes him back against the cage.
Steel creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ken Masters comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Masters has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Masters!
A determined Ken Masters didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!