PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jan Olov Hermansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hermansson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Rammstein - Ich Will!. This should be a great matchup!

Olov Hermansson
vs
Steamboat

178 cm
34
158 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

178 cm
35
146 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.
SP Ultimate Nutrition

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jan Olov Hermansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Steamboat!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Hermansson.
Hermansson fails to land the takedown.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hermansson checks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Steamboat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hermansson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Steamboat tries to avoid it but Hermansson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Steamboat to the ground. Steamboat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hermansson cracks Steamboat with a right hand to the side of the head.
Steamboat fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Steamboat takes a swing at Hermansson's ribcage but misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Steamboat, as that shot connected.
Steamboat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steamboat avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hermansson throws the left hand but Steamboat avoids the punch easily.
Steamboat is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hermansson with a body shot.
Hermansson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steamboat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hermansson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Steamboat.

Steamboat moves into range and clinches up with Hermansson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steamboat.
Steamboat working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hermansson backwards.
Steamboat struggles to land a body shot inside as Hermansson controls his hands.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hermansson.
Steamboat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steamboat misses with a punch on the inside.
Steamboat stops a takedown attempt from Hermansson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Olov Hermansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hermansson blocks the elbow strike.
Hermansson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Steamboat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steamboat misses with the head strike.
Steamboat tries a body shot but Hermansson blocks it.
Steamboat throws a head punch that misses.
Steamboat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermansson's elbow.
Steamboat lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat blocks a body shot from Hermansson.
Steamboat doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steamboat misses with a body punch.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Hermansson goes for a takedown attempt but Steamboat pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Steamboat rushes Hermansson and presses him up against the cage.
Hermansson misses with a hook to the ribs.

Hermansson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hermansson wants to control but Steamboat is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hermansson looks up at the clock and then as Steamboat takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hermansson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Hermansson working away.
Hermansson throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson trying to control the position but Steamboat is working away.
Steamboat is trying to improve his position.
Hermansson wants to control but Steamboat is keeping him busy.
Steamboat tries to improve position but can't.
Hermansson working the ground and pound but Steamboat is defending the strikes.
Steamboat has one of Hermansson's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.

Hermansson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Steamboat, who protects the arm well.
Hermansson working away.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hermansson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hermansson landing a few strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson wants to control but Steamboat is keeping him busy.
Hermansson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Steamboat is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Steamboat manages to get back to half guard.

Hermansson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Steamboat is just riding it out for now. Hermansson eventually gives up the hold.
Steamboat won't allow Hermansson to pass to mount.
Hermansson is working hard here to advance position.
Steamboat manages to get to full guard.
Hermansson 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.
Hermansson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ricky Steamboat will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hermansson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Steamboat.
Hermansson checks a leg kick nicely.
Hermansson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steamboat now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hermansson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Steamboat connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Steamboat takes the fight into the clinch.
Steamboat digs a right hand into Hermansson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hermansson's gas tank.
Hermansson prevents a body shot from Steamboat.
Steamboat throws an elbow that misses.
Steamboat tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good body shot from Steamboat.
Hermansson avoids the elbow strike from Steamboat, against the cage.
Steamboat can't find room to land a body shot as Hermansson controls the action.
Hermansson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Steamboat pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Steamboat. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Steamboat throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat throws an elbow that misses.
Steamboat has a couple of punches blocked by Hermansson.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steamboat.
Hermansson blocking some punches.
Steamboat pushes off an throws an elbow but Hermansson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Steamboat tries to work over Hermansson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steamboat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steamboat swings wildly with an uppercut but Hermansson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Hermansson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steamboat is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hermansson prevents a body shot from Steamboat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Steamboat - that landed with a thud.
Steamboat working aggressively here.
Steamboat tries a body shot but Hermansson blocks it.
Steamboat misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steamboat goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steamboat throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hermansson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Steamboat prevents it.
Hermansson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steamboat throws a punch but it's blocked by Hermansson.
Steamboat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermansson's elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Steamboat just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hermansson's brow.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hermansson blocking some punches.
Steamboat has Hermansson pressed against the cage.
Hermansson blocks an uppercut.
Steamboat tries to work over Hermansson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steamboat tries to work over Hermansson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steamboat misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steamboat throws a head punch that misses.
Steamboat misses with the head strike.
Hermansson lands an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Steamboat just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hermansson's brow.
Hermansson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Steamboat scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hermansson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Steamboat misses with some punches.
Hermansson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steamboat's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steamboat.
Steamboat trying to stall but Hermansson improves his position.
A short right from Hermansson on the inside.
Hermansson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steamboat misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hermansson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Steamboat backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steamboat blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steamboat has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hermansson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steamboat's elbow.
Steamboat misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Steamboat lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Steamboat circles away from the clinch attempt.
Despite the aggression on Steamboat's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Hermansson connects with a crisp jab.
Hermansson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Steamboat.
Hermansson throws a looping overhand right but Steamboat ducks down to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Steamboat.
Steamboat flicks out a counter leg kick but Hermansson steps away.
Hermansson lands a two punch combo.
Nice shot lands for Steamboat.
Steamboat pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hermansson feinted with a counter takedown.
Hermansson scores with a hook to the body. Steamboat takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Hermansson does it's job there.
Hermansson throws the left hand but Steamboat avoids the punch easily.
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!

Steamboat has taken the fight to the clinch.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Steamboat scores with a shot to the side of Hermansson's head.
Steamboat tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Steamboat doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steamboat lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermansson lands a shot to the body.
Steamboat gets underhooks to prevent Hermansson's takedown attempt.
Steamboat throws an elbow that misses.
Steamboat throws a head punch that misses.
Steamboat works on Hermansson's body with a couple of short punches.
Steamboat tries a body shot but Hermansson blocks it.
Steamboat has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hermansson seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Steamboat can turn it around.
Steamboat presses Hermansson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hermansson blocking some punches.
Steamboat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermansson's elbow.
Hermansson goes for a takedown attempt but Steamboat pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Steamboat swats away the attempt to clinch by Hermansson.
Steamboat throws out a counter right but Hermansson avoids it with no problem.
Hermansson avoids the head kick by Steamboat.
Hermansson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hermansson misses with a looping left.
Steamboat moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Steamboat has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Steamboat swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hermansson throws a big shot that misses.
Steamboat avoids the body shot from Hermansson.
Steamboat is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Steamboat's corner calls for a 1-2. Steamboat obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
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 slapping body kick lands there for Steamboat.
Steamboat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hermansson. That did some damage!
Hermansson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Steamboat sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Olov Hermansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steamboat works Hermansson's body with a nice hook.
Hermansson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hermansson misses the shot to the body.

Hermansson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Steamboat's half guard.
Steamboat moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hermansson wants to control from the top but Steamboat keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson is in close to Steamboat's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hermansson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Steamboat works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Steamboat manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hermansson manages to get himself to full guard.

Steamboat working some strikes from top position.
Steamboat won't allow Hermansson to sweep him here.

Hermansson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hermansson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Steamboat passes into half guard.
Ricky Steamboat is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hermansson wants to control the action here but instead Steamboat manages to pass to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson is in all sorts of trouble here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steamboat controlling his opponent.
Hermansson wants to hold on but Steamboat pushes him away.
Jan Olov Hermansson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steamboat controlling the pace for now.
Steamboat can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hermansson is looking to escape.
Hermansson can't escape the position.
Steamboat avoids the attempt from Hermansson to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ricky Steamboat.
I've got Steamboat winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Steamboat!
Ricky Steamboat gave a mention to Museum of Monsters & Madmen in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).