PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Sigfridsson (ranked 820 p4p, 108 weight class) and James Steel (ranked 2338 p4p, 278 weight class). James Steel is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Sigfridsson
vs
Steel

180 cm
34
192 lbs
21 - 14 - 2

183 cm
34
202 lbs
18 - 18 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

Urban Fighter

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 21 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Benjamin Sigfridsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, James Steel!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel lands with an uppercut that bounces Sigfridsson off the cage and back into range.
That kick from Sigfridsson tenderised Steel's leg. Steel is trying to keep his angry face on.

Steel shoots in and bounces Sigfridsson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sigfridsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Steel controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sigfridsson keeping full guard, as Steel tries to pass.
Sigfridsson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel trying to control but Sigfridsson is working from the bottom.
Sigfridsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sigfridsson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Steel trying to control the position from guard on top but Sigfridsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Steel shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sigfridsson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sigfridsson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.
James Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sigfridsson is looking to clinch.
Steel keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Steel tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sigfridsson looks to land a left hand but Steel moved out of range nicely.

Steel fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sigfridsson sprawls well initially but Steel persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sigfridsson trying to control but Steel postures up.
Sigfridsson is not content to let Steel control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sigfridsson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sigfridsson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sigfridsson trying to keep a closed guard but Steel is proving a slippery customer.
Sigfridsson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steel is one step ahead there.
Steel slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sigfridsson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Steel trying to control the position from guard on top but Sigfridsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sigfridsson throws a big shot that misses.
Sigfridsson throws the kick towards the body but Steel avoids it.
Steel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sigfridsson keeps Steel at a distance using the push kick.
Steel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sigfridsson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Steel shoots for a double leg takedown but Sigfridsson sprawls well. He's pushed Steel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Steel blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sigfridsson closes the distance and clinches.
Steel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sigfridsson's elbow.
Steel misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Sigfridsson fails to land.
Sigfridsson lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Sigfridsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sigfridsson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sigfridsson throws a hook to the side of Steel's head but Steel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Steel avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sigfridsson looks to land a right hand but Steel moved out of range.
It seemed like Steel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Steel throws the left hand but Sigfridsson avoids the punch easily.
Steel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sigfridsson.
Steel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steel missing with a left hand there. Sigfridsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Sigfridsson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Benjamin Sigfridsson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sigfridsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Steel scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sigfridsson in his tracks.
Steel shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sigfridsson but Sigfridsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Steel loads up on a big right hand but Sigfridsson slips the punch.
Steel misses the jab.
Steel misses with a hook.
Steel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sloppy strikes from Sigfridsson. Those never looked like landing.
Sigfridsson slips a jab from Steel.
Steel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Steel throws a hook to the side of Sigfridsson's head but Sigfridsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel throws a hook to the side of Sigfridsson's head but Sigfridsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Sigfridsson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sigfridsson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Steel throws a jab when Sigfridsson was well out of range.
Sigfridsson blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel misses with a hook to the body
and Sigfridsson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sigfridsson throws a solid leg kick but Steel takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sigfridsson.
Steel misses with a hook
and Sigfridsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Steel missing with a left hand there. Sigfridsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sigfridsson wants to clinch.
Steel looks to score with a jab to the body but Sigfridsson is just out of range.
Benjamin Sigfridsson is winning the standup battle so far.

Sigfridsson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Sigfridsson's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Steel gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Steel looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Steel is trying to control. Sigfridsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
My spies in Midnight MMA inform me that Steel has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
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.
Steel content to control rather than advance.
Sigfridsson is pressing down on Steel's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sigfridsson wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
Steel looking to pass the guard.
Sigfridsson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sigfridsson keeping full guard, as Steel tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Sigfridsson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sigfridsson pushes Steel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Sigfridsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steel throws a leg kick
and Sigfridsson counters with a series of strikes. Steel will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sigfridsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steel fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sigfridsson misses with the combination.
Sigfridsson slips under a jab from Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Sigfridsson tenderised Steel's leg. Steel is trying to keep his angry face on.

Steel gets a clinch.
Steel tries for a takedown but Sigfridsson manages to get underhooks.

Steel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel throws a leg kick but Sigfridsson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Benjamin Sigfridsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steel misses with a low kick.
Steel pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sigfridsson is out of range and Steel settles back down.
Sigfridsson moves out of range as Steel strikes.
Sigfridsson is looking for a counter combo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sigfridsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sigfridsson tries to clinch up but Steel circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice defenses there by Steel.
Sigfridsson slips under a jab.
Sigfridsson scores with a body shot.
Steel looks to land a left hand but Sigfridsson moved out of range nicely.
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 Benjamin Sigfridsson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

A big left from Steel misses.
Sigfridsson half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sigfridsson wants to land a leg kick but Steel is out of range.
Steel lands with a right hand.
Steel misses with an uppercut
and Sigfridsson counters with a left and a right that stings Steel.
Sigfridsson slaps away a takedown attempt from Steel, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Steel throws a hook but Sigfridsson avoids it easily.
Steel lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A low kick from Steel misses
and Sigfridsson counters with a three punch combo that has Steel backing up. Steel nods at Sigfridsson to acknowledge the strikes.
Sigfridsson misses with a two punch combination.
Steel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Steel avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Steel slips under a jab from Sigfridsson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sigfridsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sigfridsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steel throws the left hand but Sigfridsson avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel throws the left hand but Sigfridsson avoids the punch easily.
Sigfridsson throws a big counter combination but Steel scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Steel connects with a solid leg kick.
Steel misses with a straight right.
Sigfridsson tries to clinch up.
Sigfridsson throws a nice looking combination but Steel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Sigfridsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sigfridsson half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sigfridsson misses with a head kick.
Sigfridsson lands a leg kick that knocks Steel off balance momentarily.
Steel shoots in for a takedown but Sigfridsson shows good takedown defense.
Steel tries a low kick but Sigfridsson avoids it.
Sigfridsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Steel circles away quickly and effectively.
A punch lands to the side of Sigfridsson 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Steel shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel prevents Sigfridsson from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sigfridsson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sigfridsson.
Sigfridsson wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
Sigfridsson keeping moving, preventing Steel from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sigfridsson controlling Steel's posture.
Sigfridsson wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Steel wants to control from the top but Sigfridsson keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sigfridsson leaves Steel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Benjamin Sigfridsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Steel.
A jab from Steel misses.
Sigfridsson throwing a counter right hand but Steel manages to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sigfridsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benjamin Sigfridsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Steel blocks a leg kick.
Steel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sigfridsson looks to land a right hand but Steel moved out of range.
Sigfridsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sigfridsson avoids the head kick by Steel.
Sigfridsson cracks Steel with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Steel catches Sigfridsson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Steel shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sigfridsson but Sigfridsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Steel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sigfridsson. Sigfridsson obviously looking to wear him down.
James Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steel misses with a double jab
and Sigfridsson counters with a one-two to the body.
Sigfridsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steel.
Steel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benjamin Sigfridsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sigfridsson, 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Sigfridsson!
Benjamin Sigfridsson was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.