PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between George Pedro (ranked 139 p4p, 23 weight class) and James Steel (ranked 855 p4p, 115 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Pedro
vs
Steel

176 cm
35
193 lbs
43 - 18 - 2

183 cm
31
202 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q
Aspire Clothing

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Pedro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, James Steel!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pedro misses with a body kick.

Pedro darts in and clinches Steel up against the cage.
Pedro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Steel.
Steel blocks an uppercut.
Steel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Steel goes for a takedown attempt but Pedro pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
George Pedro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Steel.
Pedro tries to clinch there but Steel circles away.
We've been hearing reports that Pedro has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Pedro staying out of range there.
Steel tests Pedro's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A shot to the liver by Pedro. Beautiful body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pedro looks to score with a jab to the body but Steel is just out of range.

Pedro closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Pedro throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Pedro lands a body punch in the clinch.
Steel blocks a body shot from Pedro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pedro swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Pedro is trying to trip Steel. He has hold of a leg but Steel is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Pedro persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Pedro preventing the sweep.
Steel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pedro manages to get himself to full guard.

Pedro wants to sweep but no luck.
Steel slips nicely into half guard.
Pedro wants to improve his position but Steel is controlling well.
Pedro works his way to full guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pedro trying to control the position.
Pedro keeping moving, preventing Steel from controlling successfully.
Pedro keeping full guard, as Steel tries to pass.
Pedro pulls Steel in close to his closed guard and prevents Steel from doing any damage or advancing position.
Pedro wants to sweep but no luck.
Steel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Steel preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pedro wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
Pedro keeping moving, preventing Steel from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Steel throws the left hand but Pedro avoids the punch easily.
Pedro slips under a jab.
Pedro throws a leg kick but Steel moved away.
Pedro throws a jab when Steel was well out of range.
Pedro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pedro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Steel takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pedro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Steel slips a jab from Pedro.
Steel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pedro is defended easily by Steel.
Pedro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Steel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pedro shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Steel misses with a low kick.
Pedro connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pedro connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pedro scores with a jab to the body.
Steel misses with a wild combination.
Pedro lands a lovely overhand right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Pedro dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Steel with a jab.

Pedro rushes Steel and presses him up against the cage.
Steel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steel misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Steel.
Pedro scores with a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pedro.
Pedro makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Steel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pedro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And Steel tries to counter it with a takedown but Pedro pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Pedro forces Steel back against the cage and clinches.
Steel looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steel digs a right hand into Pedro's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pedro's gas tank.
Steel tries to throw a body punch but Pedro avoids it by throwing Steel back against the cage.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Pedro has him pressed against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Steel.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pedro throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pedro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pedro.
Pedro throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Steel digs a right hand underneath Pedro's ribcage. Pedro let out a lung full of air as it connected.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pedro.
Pedro scores with a hook to the body.
Steel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel prevents a body shot from Pedro.
Good body shot from Steel.
Pedro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pedro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel's elbow.
Steel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
George Pedro has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Pedro misses with a punch to the body.
Pedro prevents a body shot from Steel.
Pedro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pedro misses with the head strike.
Pedro misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pedro misses with some punches.
Pedro is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Pedro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pedro swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
A left hand lands to the body for Steel.
Pedro has a couple of punches blocked by Steel.
Steel lands a left hand.
Pedro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Pedro is controlling him.
Steel has a couple of punches blocked by Pedro.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pedro lands a hook that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Pedro tries a body shot but Steel blocks it.
Pedro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pedro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Steel blocking some punches.
Steel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pedro tries to throw a body punch but Steel avoids it by throwing Pedro back against the cage.
Steel struggles to land a body shot inside as Pedro controls his hands.
Pedro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steel can do to turn this around?
A short right from Steel on the inside.
Steel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Pedro is controlling him.
Pedro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Steel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pedro's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pedro.
Steel struggles to land a body shot inside as Pedro controls his hands.
A right handed body shot lands from Steel.
Steel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Steel wants to take the fight to the mat but Pedro manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
George Pedro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Steel.
Steel struggles to land a body shot inside as Pedro controls his hands.
Pedro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pedro lands a body punch in the clinch.
Steel pushes Pedro back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Pedro works on Steel's body with a couple of short punches.
Pedro throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steel.
Pedro lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Pedro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steel tries to throw a body punch but Pedro avoids it by throwing Steel back against the cage.
Pedro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pedro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pedro gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pedro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel's elbow.
Pedro lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Steel or not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Steel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steel.
Pedro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pedro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Steels head.
Steel looking for a takedown.
Steel has a couple of punches blocked by Pedro.
Steel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pedro digs a right hand underneath Steel's ribcage. Steel let out a lung full of air as it connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Pedro dominated that second 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.

Pedro feints and then cracks Steel's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Steel down.
Steel moves out of range as Pedro throws a body kick.
Steel throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Pedro misses its intended target.
Pedro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steel manages to avoid it.
Steel throws a leg kick but Pedro sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pedro tries to clinch but Steel is having none of it.
Pedro shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Steel looks to land a left hand but Pedro moved out of range nicely.
Pedro half committed to a counter leg kick.
Steel throws a poor cross that misses

and Pedro counters by moving into the clinch.
Steel blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pedro has picked Steel up - he's going for a ride! Pedro dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Steel is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Pedro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steel keeps working.

Steel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pedro pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel actively working from the bottom here.
Steel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pedro is working away from the top position though.
Pedro wants to control but Steel is keeping him busy.
Pedro is nestled in close to Steel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pedro drops an elbow to the side of Steel's head.
George Pedro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Steel is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Pedro working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pedro is nestled in close to Steel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pedro slips a nice elbow through Steel's hands, connecting with Steel's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pedro working the head and body with strikes.

Steel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pedro lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Pedro trying to control the pace.
Pedro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steel keeps working.
Steel is controlling Pedro's trapped leg to prevent Pedro from advancing to side control.
Pedro trying to mount his opponent but Steel defends it.
Steel wants to improve his position but Pedro is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pedro works his way into side control.
Pedro trying to control the position but Steel is working away.
You can see the frustration on Steel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pedro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steel keeps working.
Pedro grinds an elbow into Steel's temple.
Pedro grinds an elbow into Steel's temple.
Steel manages to get back to half guard.
Pedro is looking to take a break and control but Steel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pedro is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Steel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pedro scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pedro seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Steel wants to improve his position but Pedro is controlling well.
Steel has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Steel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pedro is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Well, if Pedro is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Pedro clearly takes that 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.

Pedro lands a body shot.
Pedro moves out of range as Steel strikes.
George Pedro is winning the standup battle so far.
Steel missing with a left hand there. Pedro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Steel tries to keep at a distance but Pedro has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pedro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pedro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel's elbow.
Pedro working aggressively here.
Pedro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Steel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pedro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Steel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Steel's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Pedro connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Steel scrambles back to his feet.
Pedro doesn't manage to clinch there - Steel circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel misses with a body shot.
Pedro misses with a body kick.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.

Pedro has managed to clinch.
Pedro stops a takedown attempt from Steel.
Nice body punch from Pedro - that landed with a thud.
Steel is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Pedro lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Steel.
Pedro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pedro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pedro makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Pedro.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pedro.
Pedro lands with a light punch inside.
Pedro throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pedro.
Pedro lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pedro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Steel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pedro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pedro tries a body shot but Steel blocks it.
Pedro digs a right hand into Steel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Steel's gas tank.
Pedro tries to throw a body punch but Steel avoids it by throwing Pedro back against the cage.
Pedro is working Steel over against the cage.
Pedro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Steels head.
Pedro digs a right hand into Steel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Steel's gas tank.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pedro.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pedro tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steel blocks an uppercut.
Pedro has a couple of punches blocked by Steel.
Steel misses with a body punch.
Pedro lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pedro lands a nice shot to the body.
Pedro lands a left hand that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Pedro lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Pedro lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Steel is rocked!
Pedro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steel is still on wobbly legs! Can Pedro finish him?
Steel blocks a body shot from Pedro.
Pedro throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel.
Steel seems to have recovered his senses.
Pedro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pedro softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Pedro fails to land.
Pedro gets through Steel's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pedro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Pedro fails to land.
Pedro is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Pedro cracks Steel with a nice body shot.
Steel has a couple of punches blocked by Pedro.
Steel is trying to force a seperation but Pedro has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Pedro.
Pedro misses with a hook to the ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pedro scores with a shoulder strike.
Pedro tries a body shot but Steel blocks it.
Steel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pedro lands a shot to the body.
Pedro pushes Steel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pedro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Pedro lands a right hand.
Steel takes a shot to the head.
Steel tries for a takedown but Pedro manages to get underhooks.
George Pedro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Steel.
Steel prevents a body shot from Pedro.
Steel wants to break free but Pedro has control.
Pedro keeps control of Steel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Steel is trying to break free.
Pedro digs a right hand into Steel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Steel's gas tank.
Pedro scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Pedro had his way with James Steel in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Pedro tries to clinch there but Steel circles away.
Steel lands a jab to Pedro's midsection.
Pedro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steel.
Steel lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pedro is looking to clinch but Steel is avoiding it.
Pedro's corner calls for a 1-2. Pedro obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Pedro swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Steel.
Pedro connects with a solid leg kick.
Pedro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steel moves away.
Steel with the counter takedown but Pedro avoids it easily.
Pedro misses with an uppercut. Steel saw that one coming.
Pedro slips under a jab from Steel.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pedro.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Steel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pedro.
Pedro connects with a solid leg kick.
Pedro lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Pedro takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Steel connects with a looping right hand.
Pedro tries to clinch up but Steel circles away and keeps his distance.
Pedro misses with a low kick.
Pedro lands a nice looking kick to the body. Steel takes a step back to recover.
Pedro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pedro takes one to the chin there.
Steel misses with a looping right.
Pedro scores with a leg kick.
Steel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pedro waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Steel.
Steel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A punch lands to the side of Pedro 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Steel misses with an uppercut.
Pedro avoids the body shot from Steel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pedro takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
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!
Pedro tries to close the distance and clinch but Steel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pedro throws a push kick but Steel slaps the foot to one side.
Pedro steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steel.

Pedro gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Steel working aggressively here.
Pedro misses with a punch on the inside.
Steel is trying to drag Pedro to the mat but Pedro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Pedro gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Pedro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Steel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pedro has managed to get both his arms back between Steel's legs - danger averted.
Pedro stands up over Steel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Steel has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Pedro has passed into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pedro controls the position.
Pedro trying to control the position but Steel is working away.
Steel tries to buck Pedro off but Pedro is having none of it.
Steel manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Pedro scoring with strikes to the body and head.
James Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pedro is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Pedro is nestled in close to Steel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Steel manages to get to full guard.
Pedro wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steel is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pedro wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.
Steel being controlled here, momentarily.
Steel scores with a nice shot.
Pedro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Steel's head.
Pedro wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Pedro showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Pedro 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Pedro!
George Pedro retains his middleweight title!
George Pedro looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'This was my last. Thanks, all.'.