PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kipper Nipper (ranked 4214 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zuses Steel (ranked 3597 p4p, 0 weight class). Kipper Nipper had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Nipper
vs
Steel

190 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kipper Nipper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zuses Steel!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, David Hoff and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Steel tries to keep at a distance but Nipper has taken the fight into the clinch.

Nipper wants the takedown. Steel is fighting it off but Nipper persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Steel's guard against the cage.
Nipper landing with the ground and pound.
Nipper won't allow Steel to sweep him here.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Nipper from controlling successfully.
Steel working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel controlling the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Steel can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nipper stopping the sweep attempt from Steel.
Nipper trying to control the position from guard on top but Steel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Steel has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nipper off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Nipper tries to score a power double leg takedown but Steel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nipper somewhat.
Nipper tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nipper tries to close the distance and clinch but Steel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nipper stuffs the takedown attempt from Steel. Steel gets slowly back to his feet.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steel scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Nipper shoots in for a takedown but Steel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Nipper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Steel, pushing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nipper jumps guard but Steel stands there with Nipper around his waist. Nipper gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kipper Nipper. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

Steel throws Nipper to one side and escapes!
Nipper thows a leg kick but Steel checks it

and Steel counters with a shoot takedown. Nipper fights it but they end up in guard.
Steel stays in close to Nipper's body and controls the position.
Nipper keeping full guard, as Steel tries to pass.
Nipper wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
Steel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nipper manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Steel manages to get himself to full guard.

Nipper looking to sit in guard and control but Steel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nipper is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Nipper has his foot on Steel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Steel works his way back into a safe position though.
Nipper has momentary wrist control but Steel slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel controlling from the top position.
Steel wants to control from the top but Nipper keeps moving.
Nipper working a defensive guard here.

Nipper escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Steel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nipper keeping moving, preventing Steel from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zuses Steel dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Steel moves into range and clinches up with Nipper.

Nipper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Steel has taken the fight to the clinch.
Steel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Steel is working for takedown but Nipper is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nipper fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Steel wants a takedown.
Steel gets underhooks to prevent Nipper's takedown attempt.

Nipper breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nipper is defended easily by Steel.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kipper Nipper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nipper shoots in and drives through. Steel sprawls well.
Nipper throws a body kick that misses
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nipper avoids the head kick by Steel.
Nipper shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice sprawl there from Nipper as Steel shoots in.
Nipper tries to counter by clinching up but Steel breaks away and moves out of range.
Steel with a poor takedown
and Nipper counters with a two punch combo.

Nipper pushes Steel up against the cage in a clinch.
Come on Steel - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Nipper breaks the clinch.
Nipper fails to land with a series of punches.
Nipper leaves Steel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws a head kick but Nipper moves out of range.
Nipper looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Steel rushes Nipper and presses him up against the cage.

Nipper pulls Steel into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steel wants to pass the guard but Nipper is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zuses Steel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nipper lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nipper trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Nipper stopping the sweep attempt from Steel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Steel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nipper preventing the sweep.

Nipper gets to his feet - Steel follows without any prompting.
Nipper misses with a low kick as Steel jumps back.
A head kick misses from Steel.
Nipper misses with a takedown
enabling Steel to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nipper feints and as Steel raises his hands in defense, Nipper changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Steel trying to keep a closed guard but Nipper is proving a slippery customer.
Steel scores with a nice shot.

Nipper stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nipper has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Steel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Steel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kipper Nipper 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. 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.

Nipper shoots for a double leg takedown but Steel sprawls well. He's pushed Nipper's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Steel is looking to chop away at Nipper's legs.
Nipper throws a series of punches but Steel moves out of range.
As Nipper backs off Steel throws a huge counter combo but Nipper manages to avoid it all.
Nipper is looking to clinch but Steel is avoiding it.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nipper shoots in but Steel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nipper shoots for a double leg takedown but Steel sprawls well. He's pushed Nipper's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kipper Nipper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut lands for Steel. That snapped Nipper's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel shoots in for a takedown but Nipper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Steel moves into the clinch.
Steel slowing the pace effectively.
Nipper prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Steel leaning his opponent against the cage.
Steel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nipper pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nipper avoiding damage as Steel throws knees to the body.
Steel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nipper gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Nipper manages to break the clinch.
Steel throws a lazy right hand but Nipper sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nipper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Steel moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel is struggling to control the position.
Nipper is struggling to control the position.
Nipper has Steel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Steel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Steel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nipper gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Steel is trying to push Nipper away but Nipper has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Steel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nipper pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nipper slows down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nipper struggles to land a body shot inside as Steel controls his hands.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steel wants to clinch up but Nipper keeps it at a distance.

Steel gets a double leg takedown into Nipper's guard.

Nipper wriggles free and stands up.
Nipper shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nipper tries to clinch up.
Steel wants to clinch up but Nipper keeps it at a distance.
Steel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nipper is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nipper closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Steel did well to prevent Nipper getting side control.
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!
Nipper is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Nipper wants to pass to mount but Steel is defending the position.
Steel tries to kick Nipper off but Nipper keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nipper is keen to just control but Steel is a slippery customer.
Nipper wants to stand up but Steel has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Nipper thows a huge punch but Steel dodges it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zuses Steel.
Well Steel has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

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