PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kip Aragus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aragus comes to the cage accompanied by Kill of the Night - Gin Wigmore. Ricky Steamboat told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Aragus
vs
Steamboat

180 cm
30
180 lbs
16 - 13 - 0

178 cm
37
163 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kip Aragus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Steamboat!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steamboat misses with a two punch combination.
Steamboat swinging wildly here.
A jab lands there for Aragus.
Steamboat lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Steamboat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Aragus clinches up with Steamboat and pushes him back against the cage.
Steamboat misses with a punch on the inside.
Steamboat throws an elbow that misses.
Steamboat lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Aragus gets through Steamboat's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aragus wants to get back to striking at distance but Steamboat won't allow it.
Steamboat struggles to land a body shot inside as Aragus controls his hands.
Steamboat misses with a body punch.
Steamboat can't find room to land a body shot as Aragus controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aragus blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Steamboat fails to land.
Steamboat misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steamboat works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Aragus tries for a takedown but Steamboat manages to get underhooks.
A shot in the inside from Steamboat.

Aragus has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Steamboat regains guard immediately.
Steamboat wants to hit a switch here but Aragus passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Steamboat there!
Steamboat is working to get back to half guard.
Aragus is trying to take his opponent's back.

Aragus is working for a guillotine from mount but Steamboat frees his head quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aragus has control of Steamboat's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Steamboat regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Aragus is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Steamboat can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Steamboat keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Aragus has hold of Steamboat's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Steamboat manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Steamboat tries to hold on but Aragus postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aragus fails to advance to Steamboat's back.

Aragus looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Steamboat is trying desperately to improve position.
Steamboat is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Aragus has taken his back.
Steamboat is trying to break free.
Steamboat looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Aragus has the hooks in. Steamboat is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Steamboat is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Aragus is hanging on to Steamboat's back as he tries to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aragus working for the choke.
Steamboat turns into Aragus and is now in his guard.
Steamboat is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Steamboat scores with a body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Steamboat misses with a left hand
and Aragus counters with a nice uppercut.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steamboat stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Aragus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat dominated that round.
That's time! Aragus's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Steamboat scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Steamboat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aragus.
Steamboat shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Aragus eats them both and turns towards Steamboat to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ricky Steamboat seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aragus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Aragus moves into range and clinches up with Steamboat.
With the fighters up against the cage, Steamboat throws an elbow but misses.
Steamboat misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steamboat presses Aragus against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aragus tries for a takedown but Steamboat manages to get underhooks.
Steamboat scores with a hook to the body.
Steamboat tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steamboat has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Steamboat lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steamboat.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Steamboat struggles to land a body shot inside as Aragus controls his hands.
Steamboat lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Steamboat lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Aragus.
Steamboat can't find room to land a body shot as Aragus controls the action.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Aragus avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Aragus blocks an uppercut.
Aragus misses with an elbow over the top.
Aragus wants a takedown.
Aragus looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kip Aragus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Aragus avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Steamboat swings wildly with an uppercut but Aragus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aragus prevents a body shot from Steamboat.
Steamboat misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steamboat lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Aragus.
Steamboat stops a takedown attempt from Aragus.
Steamboat lands with a left to the head.
Steamboat gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Steamboat. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Aragus looking for a takedown.
Steamboat misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ricky Steamboat seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aragus.
Aragus takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aragus.
Steamboat throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Araguss head.
Steamboat misses with the head strike.
Steamboat misses with a body punch.
Steamboat lands a nice elbow.
Steamboat is working Aragus over against the cage.
Steamboat prevents the takedown attempt.
Steamboat throws an elbow but it misses.

Aragus turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Steamboat bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Aragus tries to clinch but Steamboat is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aragus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Steamboat defends it nicely.
Aragus blocks a head kick by Steamboat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steamboat fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Aragus has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Aragus uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Steamboat.
Aragus drops down looking for a counter takedown but Steamboat sprawls and moves away.
Steamboat swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Steamboat lands with a cross.
Steamboat throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aragus shoots in but Steamboat avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Aragus has managed to clinch.
Aragus letting Steamboat take a breather here.
Aragus looking for a takedown.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Steamboat fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Aragus wants to clinch.
Steamboat with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Aragus to score with a decent uppercut.
Aragus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Steamboat pinned against the cage. Steamboat gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Aragus misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steamboat just misses with a punch to the body.
Aragus misses with a takedown attempt - Steamboat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Steamboat changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Aragus tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Steamboat is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aragus is looking to clinch but Steamboat is avoiding it.
Steamboat throws out a counter right but Aragus avoids it with no problem.
Steamboat connects with the punch.
Steamboat lands with a slapping head kick.

Aragus darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Steamboat is concentrating on defense, preventing Aragus from advancing position.
Aragus tries to pass to full mount but Steamboat defends it.
Steamboat is controlling Aragus's trapped leg to prevent Aragus from advancing to side control.
Aragus is thwarting Steamboat's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat is looking for a sweep. Aragus is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Steamboat is looking to control Aragus's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Steamboat avoid being mounted?

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aragus fails with a takedown attempt.
Aragus backing away here, and Steamboat unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kip Aragus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steamboat throws a hook to the side of Aragus's head but Aragus sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Steamboat scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Aragus closes the distance and clinches.
Steamboat throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Aragus prevents a body shot from Steamboat.
Nice body punch from Steamboat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steamboat gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Aragus blocks an elbow strike.
Aragus blocks an elbow strike from Steamboat.
Steamboat lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Steamboat.

Aragus gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Steamboat wants to control but Aragus is keeping busy.
Steamboat is trying to get back to full guard.
Aragus trying to pass the guard but Steamboat defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aragus moves into full mount! Steamboat won't be happy about that!
Steamboat keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Aragus has control of Steamboat's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Steamboat regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Steamboat prevents Aragus from taking his back.
Kip Aragus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aragus lands a nice shot to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Steamboat tries to hold on but Aragus pushes him away.
Steamboat bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Steamboat comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Steamboat!
Ricky Steamboat took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Museum of Monsters & Madmen for their support in the buildup to the fight.