PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Striker Mc Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maris Ponomarjovs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maris Ponomarjovs struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mc Steel
vs
Ponomarjovs

168 cm
16
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Striker Mc Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Maris Ponomarjovs!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Micheangelo Fripello and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mc Steel tries to score with a low kick but Ponomarjovs moves his leg out of the way.
Mc Steel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ponomarjovs. That did some damage!
Ponomarjovs throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mc Steel's waist but Mc Steel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ponomarjovs off to one side.
We've been told by Mc Steel's head coaches at Royal Blood that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ponomarjovs misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ponomarjovs tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mc Steel defends well and Ponomarjovs ends up having to push Mc Steel into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Striker Mc Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maris Ponomarjovs.
Nice takedown defense from Mc Steel. No joy for Ponomarjovs on that attempt.
Ponomarjovs fails in his attempt to clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mc Steel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick lands from Mc Steel.
Ponomarjovs keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ponomarjovs checks a low kick from Mc Steel.
Ponomarjovs unleashes a big counter combination but Mc Steel bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponomarjovs looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mc Steel slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ponomarjovs misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mc Steel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mc Steel attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mc Steel's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ponomarjovs under the eye.
Maris Ponomarjovs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mc Steel scores with a sloppy right hand. Ponomarjovs should have avoided that one.
Mc Steel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Mc Steel misses.
Ponomarjovs dives in for a single leg takedown but Mc Steel sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mc Steel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mc Steel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mc Steel uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mc Steel does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mc Steel misses with a low kick.
Ponomarjovs is looking for the big counter here.
Ponomarjovs shoots in looking for a takedown but Mc Steel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ponomarjovs's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mc Steel tries to counter with a takedown but Ponomarjovs is quick to defend against it.
Mc Steel lands a leg kick that knocks Ponomarjovs off balance momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ponomarjovs looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Good work by Ponomarjovs as he checks the leg kick.
Ponomarjovs's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mc Steel connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ponomarjovs scrambles back to his feet.
Mc Steel tries to work over Ponomarjovs's front leg with a kick but Ponomarjovs checks it.
Mc Steel scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ponomarjovs.
Mc Steel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ponomarjovs checks the leg kick.
Ponomarjovs walks into a straight right hand from Mc Steel.
Ponomarjovs uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mc Steel.
Mc Steel sizes up Ponomarjovs with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ponomarjovs misses with a body shot.
Mc Steel avoids a kick to the body.
Ponomarjovs pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mc Steel is out of range and Ponomarjovs settles back down.
Mc Steel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ponomarjovs shoots for a takedown but Mc Steel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ponomarjovs looks winded!
Ponomarjovs takes one to the side of the head.

Ponomarjovs moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponomarjovs wants a takedown.
Mc Steel is pressed up against the cage. Ponomarjovs has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mc Steel down to the mat. Mc Steel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mc Steel scoring well with a low kick there.
Ponomarjovs takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mc Steel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ponomarjovs's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ponomarjovs shoots in looking for a takedown but Mc Steel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ponomarjovs's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mc Steel feinted with a counter takedown.
Mc Steel misses with a low kick as Ponomarjovs jumps back.
Ponomarjovs unleashes a big counter combination but Mc Steel bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Mc Steel motions for Ponomarjovs to come forward. Mc Steel throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mc Steel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A bone on bone clash there as Ponomarjovs blocks the leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Striker Mc Steel dominated that 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.

Ponomarjovs tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ponomarjovs clinches up against the cage.
Ponomarjovs is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ponomarjovs has Mc Steel pressed against the cage, preventing Mc Steel from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ponomarjovs content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Mc Steel wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mc Steel can't break the clinch.
Ponomarjovs is trying to pull guard but Mc Steel turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mc Steel is pressed up against the cage. Ponomarjovs has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mc Steel down to the mat. Mc Steel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ponomarjovs keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mc Steel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ponomarjovs shoots in but no luck this time.
Striker Mc Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maris Ponomarjovs.
Mc Steel works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ponomarjovs blocks a low kick nicely.
Ponomarjovs tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ponomarjovs fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mc Steel avoids it really well and circles away.
Ponomarjovs is breathing heavily.
Mc Steel throws a leg kick but Ponomarjovs moved away.

Ponomarjovs pushes Mc Steel up against the cage in a clinch.

Ponomarjovs manages to break the clinch.
Ponomarjovs chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mc Steel can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponomarjovs checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mc Steel attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Maris Ponomarjovs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mc Steel with a nice cross.
Ponomarjovs blocks a low kick nicely.
Ponomarjovs feints the counter takedown.
Mc Steel darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mc Steel moves out of range as Ponomarjovs strikes.
Mc Steel throws a front kick aimed at Ponomarjovs's knee but Ponomarjovs avoids it well.
Mc Steel fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ponomarjovs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice takedown defense from Mc Steel. No joy for Ponomarjovs on that attempt.
Nice defenses there by Ponomarjovs.
Mc Steel lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponomarjovs throws a head kick that misses.
Ponomarjovs fails with a takedown attempt.
Mc Steel tries to counter with a takedown but Ponomarjovs is quick to defend against it.
Mc Steel lands with an overhand left.
Ponomarjovs looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ponomarjovs shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mc Steel pinned against the cage. Mc Steel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ponomarjovs checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ponomarjovs or perhaps it was just good defense by Mc Steel, which made it look bad.
Striker Mc Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponomarjovs checks a low kick from Mc Steel.
Nice straight punches there by Mc Steel. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mc Steel.
Mc Steel misses with a low kick.
Ponomarjovs checks a leg kick.
Ponomarjovs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mc Steel as he avoids it easily.
Mc Steel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ponomarjovs ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ponomarjovs chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mc Steel can pounce on him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mc Steel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ponomarjovs has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ponomarjovs tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mc Steel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mc Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ponomarjovs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Striker Mc Steel 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. This is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mc Steel, as that shot connected.
Ponomarjovs fails with a takedown attempt.
Mc Steel wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Mc Steel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ponomarjovs's head.
Ponomarjovs defending well as Mc Steel loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ponomarjovs checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mc Steel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ponomarjovs momentarily.
Mc Steel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ponomarjovs can do to turn this around?
A clash of legs there as Ponomarjovs blocks the low kick.
Ponomarjovs has a takedown stuffed.
Ponomarjovs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Mc Steel misses.
Mc Steel slaps away a takedown attempt from Ponomarjovs, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Striker Mc Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maris Ponomarjovs.
Some bone on bone action there as Ponomarjovs checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ponomarjovs misses with a body kick.
Mc Steel uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mc Steel looks to land a left hand but Ponomarjovs moved out of range nicely.
Mc Steel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ponomarjovs on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Mc Steel keeps the fight on the outside.
Striker Mc Steel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponomarjovs tries to clinch up.
Ponomarjovs fails with the takedown.
Ponomarjovs takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mc Steel connects with an inside leg kick.
Mc Steel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ponomarjovs looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ponomarjovs wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mc Steel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ponomarjovs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mc Steel as he avoids it easily.
Good leg kick by Mc Steel there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A slow jab from Mc Steel misses its intended target.
Ponomarjovs tries to clinch up but Mc Steel circles away and keeps his distance.
Mc Steel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Mc Steel, right into the meat.
A leg kick checked by Ponomarjovs.
Ponomarjovs is trying desperately to land a takedown but Mc Steel is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ponomarjovs.
Ponomarjovs moves away from the strike by Mc Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mc Steel throws a leg kick but Ponomarjovs moved away.
Mc Steel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ponomarjovs fails to land the takedown.
Mc Steel feints and then cracks Ponomarjovs's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ponomarjovs down.
Ponomarjovs tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mc Steel throws the left hand but Ponomarjovs avoids the punch easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mc Steel lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mc Steel moves out of range of the body kick.
Maris Ponomarjovs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mc Steel tried to score with a low kick but Ponomarjovs checks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Striker Mc Steel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mc Steel, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:26
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Striker Mc Steel!