PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between JaMarcus Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Steinburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russell's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, My Time - Fabolous & Jeremih. Steinburg has chosen Under and Over It - Five Finger Death Punch as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Russell
vs
Steinburg

200 cm
24
265 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
225 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Sex Panther! (160q recovery $149)

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, JaMarcus Russell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Billy Steinburg!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steinburg misses with a wild body shot.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Steinburg sprawls well. Steinburg wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Russell gets slowly back to his feet.
Steinburg looks to land a combination but Russell avoids it well.
Steinburg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Russell moves away.

Russell shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Steinburg manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Russell postures up.
Russell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Russell 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.
Steinburg looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Steinburg has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Russell is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Russell keeps control of Steinburg as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steinburg tries to break the clinch but Russell is controlling the position.
Steinburg is trying to break free.
Russell prevents Steinburg from breaking the clinch.

Russell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steinburg slaps away a takedown attempt from Russell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Russell throws a jab when Steinburg was well out of range.
Steinburg waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Russell.
Nice sprawl there from Steinburg as Russell shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JaMarcus Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steinburg swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steinburg throws a nice looking combination but Russell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Russell takes a jab right on the kisser.
Russell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steinburg but Steinburg pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Steinburg swings for the body but Russell moves out of range.
Steinburg's jab looks to have found its range, popping Russell under the eye.
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!

Russell shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Steinburg napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Russell goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Steinburg has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Russell but great work by Steinburg.
Russell is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Steinburg has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steinburg scoring with punches and elbows.
Russell wants to get back to his feet but Steinburg drags him back down.
Steinburg lands some shots froms side control.
Steinburg trying to control the position but Russell is working away.
Steinburg is working Russell over with some ground and pound from side control.
Russell takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Russell is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Steinburg asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Russell bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Russell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Steinburg avoids it really well and circles away.
Russell is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Steinburg.
Steinburg stuns Russell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Steinburg misses with a jab, cross combination.
Steinburg looks to score with a jab to the body but Russell is just out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters circling - Steinburg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A slow jab from Steinburg misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Steinburg dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Russell darts in looking for a takedown but Steinburg gets double underhooks and turns Russell into the cage.

Steinburg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Russell misses with a double jab
letting Steinburg counter with a right hand.
The fighters circling - Steinburg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Steinburg throws a hook but Russell avoids it easily.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Russell looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Russell is defended easily by Steinburg.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JaMarcus Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steinburg throws a right hand that Russell ducks under and follows up with a left that Russell also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steinburg lands a jab.
Steinburg misses the jab.
Steinburg swings widly with a right hand
and Russell counters with a low kick, right behind Steinburg 's knee.
Billy Steinburg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Russell shoots for a takedown but Steinburg saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Russell closes the distance and clinches up with Steinburg, looking for a takedown. Russell pushes Steinburg against the cage but Steinburg circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell tries to clinch
letting Steinburg counter with a right hand.
Steinburg loads up on a big right hand but Russell slips the punch.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Russell is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Steinburg.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steinburg swinging wildly here.
Steinburg scores with a crisp jab that stopped Russell in his tracks.
Russell shoots for a takedown but Steinburg saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Steinburg throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Steinburg pinned against the cage. Steinburg gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Russell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Steinburg is fending him off so far but Russell persists. Nope, Steinburg circles away and we're back to standing.
Steinburg throws a series of strikes that have Russell backpedaling.
Russell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Steinburg tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russell was well out of range. Poor timing from Steinburg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt.
Russell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Steinburg.
Russell takes a swing at Steinburg's ribcage but misses.
Steinburg takes a swing at Russell's ribcage but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steinburg throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Russell.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russell.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Steinburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Russell slips a straight right by Steinburg.

Russell changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Steinburg looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Steinburg gets back to half guard.
Steinburg moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Russell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Steinburg has his foot on Russell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Russell works his way back into a safe position though.

Russell drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Steinburg dives on top into guard.
Russell is looking to stand back up but Steinburg counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Russell.

Russell makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell with a lazy takedown attempt
and Steinburg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Russell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Steinburg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Russell doesn't seem bothered though.
Russell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Steinburg works Russell's body with a nice hook.
A combination from Steinburg does no damage.
Steinburg scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steinburg scores with a three punch combo!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Russell takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Russell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Steinburg misses with a body shot.
Russell gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Russell.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JaMarcus Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steinburg throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Russell counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Steinburg looking for a sweep. Not yet Steinburg, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steinburg working a defensive guard here.
Steinburg seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Steinburg trying to keep a closed guard but Russell is proving a slippery customer.
Our spies down at at Silverback MMA Academy (Elite + Sauna & 160VM) inform us that Steinburg has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Russell trying to control but Steinburg is working from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Billy Steinburg hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A punch combination from Steinburg misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Steinburg lands with a nice combination. Russell backs away looking to recover.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steinburg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Russell moves away.
Steinburg punishes Russell's body with a nice straight punch.
Sloppy strikes from Steinburg. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steinburg takes a swing at Russell's ribcage but misses.
Steinburg takes a swing at Russell's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Steinburg really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Russell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Russell shoots in and drives through. Steinburg sprawls well.
Billy Steinburg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Russell goes for a double leg but Steinburg avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Steinburg continues to drive forward.
Steinburg misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Steinburg breaks from the clinch.
Russell slips a jab from Steinburg.
A jab from Steinburg does it's job there.
Steinburg lands a right hook to the body.
Steinburg uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Russell has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steinburg throws a nice looking combination but Russell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A left and a right from Steinburg both land. Nice combination.

Russell is rocked!
A looping hook to the body misses from Steinburg. Russell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steinburg throws the left hand but Russell avoids the punch easily.
Steinburg cracks Russell with an open hand slap.
Oh Russell is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Russell dives in for a single leg takedown but Steinburg sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Russell seems to have got his legs back now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JaMarcus Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell wants to break free but Steinburg has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Steinburg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steinburg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Steinburg sprawls well. Steinburg wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Russell gets slowly back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Steinburg cracks Russell with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russell tries for a takedown but Steinburg sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Steinburg lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steinburg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Steinburg smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Russell with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Steinburg to score with a decent uppercut.
Steinburg dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circling - Steinburg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Russell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steinburg.
Steinburg misses with an uppercut. Russell saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Steinburg avoids it really well and circles away.
Steinburg slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Steinburg catches Russell napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Russell to the canvas!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Steinburg is controlling him.
Russell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Steinburg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Steinburg dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Steinburg connects with a body shot that sends Russell's belly button to the back.
Steinburg feints with a jab and clips Russell right behind the ear with a massive overhand right! Russell is sent crashing into the canvas and Steinburg leaps in for the kill! Russell tries to get to his feet but Steinburg is just battering him from every conceivable angle. The ref decides that Russell is in need of a savior and steps in!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:14 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Billy Steinburg!
Billy Steinburg is the new heavyweight champion!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Billy Steinburg made sure he mentioned Fury Nutrition Inc., along with how happy he was to win his fight.