PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Steve (ranked 287 p4p, 40 weight class) and Robert McKenna (ranked 1402 p4p, 190 weight class). Steve comes to the cage accompanied by XXXTENTACION - Look At Me. McKenna has chosen Freedom as his entrance music. Robert McKenna has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Steve
vs
McKenna

190 cm
21
210 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

194 cm
20
212 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Sully's Bar & Grill
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Steve!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Robert McKenna!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steve throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McKenna has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Steve is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Steve connects with a body shot.
Steve avoids the head kick by McKenna.
Steve seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Steve throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McKenna misses with a head kick.

Steve clinches.
Steve doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steve working aggressively here.
Steve lands a shoulder strike.

It looks like Robert McKenna has been cut.
McKenna wants a takedown.
Steve misses with a hook to the ribs.

Steve pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McKenna shoots in for a takedown but Steve shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steve scores with a jab to the body.
Steve swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steve scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steve scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Steve cracks McKenna with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from McKenna lands but Steve takes it in his stride.

McKenna looking to score a takedown here. Steve is defending well but McKenna drives through and ends up in Steve's guard.
McKenna throws a big right hand that misses.
Steve keeping moving, preventing McKenna from controlling successfully.
Steve is adopting a defensive guard.
McKenna trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Steve is controlling McKenna's posture.
McKenna working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve controlling McKenna's posture.
McKenna working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Steve misses with a few strikes there.
McKenna misses with a takedown attempt - Steve sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mark Steve has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert McKenna.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Steve enables McKenna to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Steve manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Steve on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Steve tries to get out of the position.
Steve managing to control the position.
McKenna working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenna with a flurry of punches that miss.
Steve utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McKenna landing with the ground and pound.
McKenna working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Steve is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

McKenna wants to get back to his feet.
Steve wants to control but McKenna is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McKenna looks like he's trying to stand up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Steve in particular looking to stall.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Steve gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Steve dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Robert McKenna's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Steve looks to land a combination. McKenna sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mark Steve is winning the standup battle so far.
Steve misses with a straight right.
We've been told by Steve's head coaches at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Steve is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McKenna can do to turn this around?

McKenna feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Steve working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McKenna.
McKenna trying to control but Steve is working from the bottom.
McKenna passes into half guard.
McKenna landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Robert McKenna has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steve won't allow McKenna to pass to mount.
McKenna thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Steve's head.
McKenna thows a huge punch but Steve dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from McKenna there.
McKenna wants to take a breather but Steve is having none of it.
McKenna throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McKenna has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Steve has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McKenna is working away from the top position though.
McKenna throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McKenna throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Steve to regain full guard.
Steve can't keep his opponent in guard - McKenna advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
McKenna throwing shots but Steve is blocking nicely.
McKenna is nestled in close to Steve, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McKenna looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Steve with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKenna sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Steve defending well though.
McKenna sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Steve defending well though.
Steve is trying to control but can't.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
McKenna missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Steve wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Steve scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Steve lands with a right hand.
Mark Steve is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McKenna throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Steve scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Steve takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McKenna is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve lands with a nice body punch.
Steve throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good standup being displayed there by Steve as he connects with a hook.
McKenna goes for a double leg but Steve avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Steve continues to drive forward.
Steve is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from McKenna.
McKenna shoots in but no luck this time.
Mark Steve has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert McKenna.
McKenna shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Steve as he avoids it easily.
McKenna is breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McKenna.
McKenna fails with the takedown
and Steve counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Steve digs a good body shot into McKenna's ribs.
McKenna shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Steve counters with a nice uppercut.

That has opened up Robert McKenna's cut even more.

Steve moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve effectively controlling the action here.
Good body shot from Steve.

Steve breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
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!
Steve misses with a wild body shot.
A low kick from McKenna is predictable there
and Steve cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McKenna fails with the takedown.
Steve was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
McKenna moves in looking to clinch but Steve pushes him off.

McKenna looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
McKenna thows a huge punch but Steve dodges it nicely.
McKenna passes to full mount!
Steve is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Steve dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Robert McKenna's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Steve gets a clinch.
Steve gets through McKenna's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Steve breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steve lands a body shot.
Steve is looking to wear down McKenna with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McKenna takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Steve looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McKenna tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Steve swivels and escapes.
Steve throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McKenna fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steve 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.
Steve displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McKenna.
Mark Steve has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert McKenna.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Steve.
Steve connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between McKenna's hands.
McKenna shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Steve defends it nicely.
McKenna takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Steve misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McKenna is trying to push Steve away but Steve has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McKenna is trying to drag Steve to the mat but Steve just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Steve takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McKenna.
McKenna drops down looking for an ankle pick but Steve pulls his leg out and moves away.
McKenna shoots in looking for a takedown but Steve manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McKenna's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Robert McKenna is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McKenna shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Steve as he jumps to the side.
McKenna shoots in for a takedown but Steve shows good takedown defense.
Steve seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McKenna.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steve. McKenna does a little dance to reset his feet.
McKenna throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Steve lands with a straight right. McKenna didn't see that one coming.
McKenna takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steve fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McKenna on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenna on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

The cut above Robert McKenna's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
A jab from Steve finds it's way through McKenna's defenses.
No luck for McKenna with that takedown attempt.
Steve wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Steve lands a slapping body shot.
Mark Steve is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Steve lands a jab to the head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McKenna.
McKenna takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McKenna with a poor takedown

and Steve counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Steve.
McKenna has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Steve is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve works on McKenna's body with a couple of short punches.
McKenna is trying to drag Steve to the mat but Steve just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Steve lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down McKenna.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steve lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McKenna backwards.
McKenna trying to control the position but instead, Steve has worked for underhooks and has pushed McKenna into the cage.
Steve taking a breather.
Steve prevents a takedown attempt there.

Steve breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Steve showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Steve, 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:26
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Steve!
In his post fight interview, Mark Steve started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.