PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ed Skank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mr Steel has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Skank
vs
Steel

168 cm
29
138 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

165 cm
23
144 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ed Skank!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Steel!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skank fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Steel enables Skank to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Steel manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Skank accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Skank throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Skank throws a big right hand that misses.
Skank postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skank landing some decent shots from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Skank controls the pace.
Skank is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skank connects with a couple of short punches.
Skank is in close to Steel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Skank is looking to work some ground and pound but Steel has wrist control.
Skank is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Skank throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Steel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Skank keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Steel's head.
Steel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Skank postures up in Steel's guard and throws a big left but Steel blocks it.
Skank in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skank trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Skank slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Steel works the jab nicely.
Skank tries for a takedown but Steel circles away easily
and Steel counters with a straight right hand.

Steel clinches up against the cage.
Steel tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Steel misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Skank has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steel keeps control of Skank as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Steel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Ed Skank has been cut.
Steel utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Steel tries a knee to the head but Skank blocks it.
A knee to the head by Steel.
Skank has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Steel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ed Skank. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel connects with a knee to the head.
Steel with a knee to the head.
Steel misses with a knee strike.
Steel is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Steel with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
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!
Steel is pressed up against the cage. Skank has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Steel down to the mat. Steel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A good leg kick by Steel.
Steel fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Skank is defended easily by Steel.
Skank shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Steel pinned against the cage. Steel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice sprawl there from Steel as Skank shoots in.
Steel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Skank closes the distance and clinches.
A knee to the head by Steel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Steel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ed Skank's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Skank goes for a double leg but Steel avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Steel continues to drive forward.
Steel lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Skank shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Steel defends it nicely.

Steel takes the fight into the clinch.
Steel landing some nice looking knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel tries to land a knee to the head but Skank blocks with his arms.
Skank wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ed Skank. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel missing with knees to the body.
Steel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Skank blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steel.
Skank takes an elbow to the temple.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Skank has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Skank managing to block the knees to the body from Steel.
Skank drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Steel gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Steel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Steel misses with a knee to the head.
Steel misses with a knee to the head.
Steel can't find room to land a body shot as Skank controls the action.
Skank is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Steel pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mr Steel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Skank has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steel with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Skank tries for a takedown. No joy.
Steel working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Steel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Steel obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A knee to the head by Steel.

Ed Skank's cut is getting worse.
Steel tries a knee to the head but Skank blocks it.
Steel tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Steel lands a knee to the head.
Steel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Steel.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Skank has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steel with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Steel.
Skank avoiding damage as Steel throws knees to the body.
Steel throws a knee to the head but misses.
Steel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Skank blocks it with crossed arms.
Steel creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Skank's defenses.
Steel prevents a takedown attempt there.
Steel looking to throw knees to the head but Skank is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Steel lands a right hand.
Skank takes a knee right on the jaw!
Steel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Skank is looking to take this one to the mat.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Skank has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steel is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Steel scores with a knee to the head.
Skank managing to block the knees to the body from Steel.
Skank lands with a left to the head.
Skank tries for a takedown but Steel manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ed Skank's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Skank takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Skank tries for a takedown but Steel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Skank shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Skank 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.
Steel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Skank.
Skank missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Skank not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Skank.
Skank throwing shots but Steel is blocking nicely.
Skank trying to control from half guard but Steel is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Steel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Skank scores with a couple of nice shots.
Skank winds up and cracks Steel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Skank thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Steel's head.
Skank is looking to advance position but Steel won't allow it.
Steel tries to kick Skank off in order to stand up. Skank Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Skank is chipping away with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steel takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Mr Steel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skank is looking to take a break and control but Steel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Skank seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Steel pushes Skank away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Skank gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Skank misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Steel parries the strikes from Skank easily there. Skank is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Steel to escape.
Skank working the head with strikes.
An elbow from Skank crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel taking a bit of punishment here - Skank scoring with strikes.
Skank in side control lands a decent elbow.
Steel really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Skank. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Skank is looking to take a break and control but Steel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Steel is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Skank has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Skank controlling the position.
Steel is not content to let Skank control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Skank working the head with strikes.
Steel takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Skank throws a strike aimed at the side of Steel's head but Steel avoids it well.
Skank lands an elbow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Steel is trying to escape the position but Skank is controlling the position.
Ed Skank has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skank lands an elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ed Skank showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Steel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Steel!
A very excited looking Mr Steel made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.