PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Victor Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Machan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Steel
vs
Machan

168 cm
26
160 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

164 cm
26
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Victor Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Richard Machan!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A swing and a miss from Steel.
Steel darts in looking for a takedown but Machan gets double underhooks and turns Steel into the cage.
Machan was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Steel checks a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Steel defending well as Machan loads up on a big left hand.
A big right from Steel misses.
Nice defenses there by Steel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Steel.
Machan drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Steel defends it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Machan misses the target.
Steel bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machan throws a sloppy head kick and Steel moves out of range easily.
Steel lands with an uppercut that bounces Machan off the cage and back into range.
Machan ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
Steel throws a good cross that connects.
Machan swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Steel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Machan.
Steel throws a big counter combination but Machan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Machan loads up on a big right hand but Steel slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Steel misses.
Steel throws a combination. Machan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Steel checks a low kick from Machan.
Steel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Steel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Machan throws a sloppy body shot
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Steel connects with a right hand. Machan shakes it off.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel scores with a jab to the jaw.
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Machan throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machan looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A low kick from Machan misses
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Machan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Steel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Machan misses with a leg kick
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Machan just misses with a punch to the body.
Steel was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Steel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machan.
Machan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Machan swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Steel counters with a straight right hand.
Steel throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Steel misses.
Machan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A low kick from Machan is predictable there
and Steel counters with a nice uppercut.
Steel lands with a good body shot.
Machan throws a body kick that misses
and Steel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Donk. Steel catches Machan right on the button with a cross.
We've been told by Steel's head coaches at Woodhouse's that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
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!
Machan shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Steel dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Machan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Machan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Steel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Steel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Machan can do to turn this around?
Machan throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Steel to counter with a crisp jab.
Steel swings widly with a right hand

and Machan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Steel has control of Machan's left arm, preventing Machan from doing any damage.
Machan has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at The Bear's Den. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Machan throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machan landing with the ground and pound.
Machan content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel is trying to control the position but Machan postures up.
Steel has Machan pulled in close to control his posture.
Steel lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Machan wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
Steel advances to half guard.
Steel not doing much here.
Steel thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machan is looking to improve his position.
Steel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Machan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Steel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Machan defending well though.
Machan is staying active underneath Steel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Steel is just content to waste time from the top position. Machan takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Steel's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A telegraphed right hand from Steel misses the target.
Machan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Machan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Steel loads up on a big right hand but Machan slips the punch.
Steel backing away here, and Machan unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Richard Machan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Machan eats them both and turns towards Steel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Steel tests Machan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Machan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Victor Steel is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Machan.
Machan tries a quick counter leg kick but Steel is wise to it.
Steel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machan ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
Machan with the counter takedown but Steel avoids it easily.
Machan shoots in looking for a takedown. Steel tries to sprawl out of it but Machan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Steel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Steel tries to counter with a takedown but Machan is quick to defend against it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Steel dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Machan walks into a jab.
Machan throws a poor cross that misses
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Machan misses with an uppercut
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel thuds his right hand into Machan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Machan misses the body punch
and Steel connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Machan slips a straight right by Steel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel looks to land a right hand but Machan moved out of range.
Machan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Steel is out of range.
Steel was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Machan takes one to the side of the head.
Steel scores with a crisp jab that stopped Machan in his tracks.
Machan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Machan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machan tries for a takedown but Steel circles away easily
and Steel connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Machan with that takedown attempt.
Victor Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Machan.
Machan with a poor takedown
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Machan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Steel.
Machan swings widly with a right hand
and Steel counters with a two punch combo.
Machan misses with a left hand
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machan thows a leg kick but Steel checks it
and Steel makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Victor Steel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Steel.

Machan dives in and scores a takedown into Steel's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Steel manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Steel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Machan counters with a nice body shot.
Machan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A big right from Steel misses.
Machan now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Steel counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Machan throws a low kick but Steel avoids it.
Machan looks to throw the jab but Steel is out of range.
Steel shoots in for a takedown but Machan shows good takedown defense.
Machan feints the counter takedown.
Machan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Steel counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Steel lands an overhand right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Steel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Steel has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight for Victor Steel!
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Victor Steel!
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight for Victor Steel!

Victor Steel wins by unanimous decision!
Victor Steel got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'