PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Steel (ranked 5469 p4p, 566 weight class) and Mitchell Bonderson (ranked 8495 p4p, 686 weight class). Mitchell Bonderson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Steel
vs
Bonderson

187 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mike Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mitchell Bonderson!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bonderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Steel has Bonderson up against the cage in a clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Steel.
Bonderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Steel.
Bonderson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Steel to keep the fight standing.
Bonderson jumps guard but Steel stands there with Bonderson around his waist. Bonderson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Mitchell Bonderson has been cut.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bonderson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steel landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Bonderson is trying to drag Steel to the mat but Steel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mike Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitchell Bonderson.
Bonderson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Steel walks away with a smile on his face. Bonderson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel moves into range and clinches up with Bonderson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Steel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bonderson fails to pull guard.
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Steel landing knees to the body.
Bonderson looks winded!
Bonderson takes an elbow to the temple.
Steel landing knees to the body.
Steel utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Steel lands a good knee to the midsection. Bonderson won't want to take too many of those.
Steel content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Steel lands a good knee to the midsection. Bonderson won't want to take too many of those.
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!
A knee to the head by Steel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Steel lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Steel obliges.
Steel dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Steel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bonderson up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Steel takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Steel seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
A short right from Steel.
Steel taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Steel lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Steel scores a nice knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steel.
Steel unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bonderson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Steel with a knee to the head.
Steel with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Steel lands an elbow inside that Bonderson shrugs off.
Steel landing knees to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel lands an elbow just above Bonderson 's eye.
Steel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Steel lands a nice knee to the body.
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Steel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel slows down the pace here.
Bonderson is looking for a takedown.
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Steel lands an elbow inside that Bonderson shrugs off.
Steel lands an elbow inside.
Steel utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Steel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Steel leaning his opponent against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Steel scores with a head kick. Bonderson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Bonderson tries to keep at a distance but Steel has taken the fight into the clinch.
Steel crunches a lovely knee into Bonderson's ribcage.
Steel with a knee to the head.
Steel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bonderson taking a breather.
Steel with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bonderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Knees in the clinch landing for Steel.
Mike Steel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Steel landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Steel.
Steel lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bonderson is breathing heavily.
Steel lands an elbow inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel landing knees to the head.
Steel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bonderson can do to turn this around?
Steel lands an elbow just above Bonderson 's eye.
Bonderson takes an elbow to the temple.
Steel lands an uppercut.
Steel lands an elbow that stopped Bonderson in his tracks for a moment.
Bonderson being controlled against the cage.
Steel connects with a knee to the head.
Steel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Steel lands an elbow inside.
Steel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel lands a damaging elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands an elbow inside that Bonderson shrugs off.
Steel lands a good knee to the midsection. Bonderson won't want to take too many of those.
Steel putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bonderson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bonderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Steel lands a damaging elbow.
Bonderson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Steel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Steel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Steel lands a nice elbow.
Bonderson takes an elbow to the temple.
The referee is keeping an eye on Steel - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A short uppercut from Steel.
Steel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Steel to work.
Steel lands an elbow just above Bonderson 's eye.
Steel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Steel slows down the pace here.
Steel with a knee to the head.
Bonderson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Steel slows down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Steel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Steel slowing the pace effectively.
Steel lands an uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Steel takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Steel.

Steel fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bonderson, pushing him back against the cage.
Steel lands an elbow inside.
Steel putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bonderson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
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 clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Steel scores a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Steel dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mitchell Bonderson's cut.
That's time! Steel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Steel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Steel holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Steel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bonderson up against the cage.
Steel throws a knee to the head but misses.
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bonderson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Steel walks away with a smile on his face. Bonderson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel lands a head kick!

Steel clinches with his opponent.
Steel throws a knee to the head but misses.
Steel with a knee to the head.
Bonderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Steel tries to land a knee to the head but Bonderson blocks with his arms.
Steel working Bonderson over with knees to the body.
Steel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Steel landing knees to the head.
Nice elbow from Steel.
Steel unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bonderson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Steel just leaning against Bonderson, taking a breather.
Steel lands a nice knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steel.
Bonderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Steel leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel effectively controlling the action here.
Bonderson tries to pull guard but Steel holds him up against the cage and eventually Bonderson drops back down to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel lands an elbow just above Bonderson 's eye.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Steel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Steel lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steel.
Steel lands a damaging elbow.
Steel unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bonderson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Steel is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Steel lands a damaging elbow.
Steel with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bonderson fails to pull guard.
Mike Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitchell Bonderson.
Steel lands a nice elbow.
Bonderson takes an elbow to the temple.
Bonderson is trying to pull guard but Steel has him pressed against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel crunches a lovely knee into Bonderson's ribcage.
Steel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Steel lands a good knee to the midsection. Bonderson won't want to take too many of those.
Steel is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Steel landing knees to the head.
Steel leaning his opponent against the cage.
Steel lands a nice knee to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Steel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:24
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:24
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:24

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