PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bob Steel (ranked 5093 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy Ji (ranked 3563 p4p, 0 weight class). Sammy Ji will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Steel
vs
Ji

165 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
134 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bob Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sammy Ji!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Steel.
Steel is looking to counter punch.
Ji throws out a loose jab but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ji misses with a shot to the body
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.
Ji scores with a jab. Steel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Steel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ji stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ji looks to land a left hand but Steel moved out of range nicely.
Ji misses with an uppercut.
Ji lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ji. Steel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steel is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ji tries to clinch
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ji thinking.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ji.
Ji wants to clinch but Steel slips to the side
and Ji takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Ji finds it's way through Steel's defenses.
Ji has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Steel ducks under a wild hook from Ji.
Steel throwing a counter right hand but Ji manages to avoid it.
Ji misses with an uppercut. Steel saw that one coming.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Steel keeps the fight on the outside.
Steel was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ji fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ji throws a lazy right hand but Steel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ji is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Steel walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ji closes the distance looking to clinch
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ji swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ji misses the jab.
Ji jabs Steel right on the nose. Steel blinks but takes it well.
Steel takes a jab right on the kisser.
Steel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ji.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ji scores with a sloppy right hand. Steel should have avoided that one.
Ji throws a right hand that misses
and Steel makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ji misses with an uppercut.
Ji lands a nice hook to Steel's body. Steel takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ji misses with a body shot.
Ji is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Steel blocks a jab.
Ji throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji is looking to clinch.
A quick step to the side and Steel tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ji works the jab nicely.
Steel throws out a powerful jab.
Steel circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Steel to counter with a crisp jab.
Ji throws a right hand that misses
and Steel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ji scores with a body shot.
Steel slips a straight right by Ji.
Ji comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ji is looking to clinch.
Ji throws a looping overhand right but Steel ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ji looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ji looks to throw the jab but Steel is out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Steel misses the target.
A big left from Ji misses.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ji.
It looked like Steel was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ji.
Ji is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Ji moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Steel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ji tests Steel's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ji wants to clinch but Steel slips to the side
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ji thinking.
Ji tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steel swats away the attempt to clinch by Ji.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Ji dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ji rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ji takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ji swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Ji lands a right hook to the body.
Ji 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.
Ji throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ji waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Steel.
Steel is looking to counter punch.
Steel slips under a jab.
Steel swats away the attempt to clinch by Ji.
Steel throwing a counter right hand but Ji manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ji lands with a shot to the body.
Ji tries to clinch up
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ji looks to throw the jab but Steel is out of range.
Ji swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like Steel wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ji looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ji looks to score with a jab to the body but Steel is just out of range.
Steel throwing a counter right hand but Ji manages to avoid it.
Steel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ji throws a shot to the body.
Ji tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ji is looking to clinch but Steel is avoiding it.
Steel is looking to counter punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ji looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ji tries to clinch there but Steel circles away.
Ji looks to throw the jab but Steel is out of range.
Steel lands a jab to the head.
Ji just misses with a punch to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ji tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Steel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sammy Ji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ji.
Ji wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ji keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Steel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ji.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ji scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Steel doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A swing and a miss from Ji.
An attempted straight right counter from Steel misses the target.
Steel avoids the body shot from Ji.
An attempted straight right counter from Steel misses the target.
Ji is breathing heavily.
Ji closes the distance but Steel moves to the side
and Steel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Steel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ji.
Ji throws a lazy right hand but Steel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Steel misses its target.
Steel circles away from the clinch attempt
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ji thinking.
Ji pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Steel throwing a counter right hand but Ji manages to avoid it.
Ji connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands a jab to the head.
Ji throws out a loose jab but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ji moves in looking to clinch but Steel pushes him off.
Steel was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ji misses with an uppercut
and Steel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A shot to the liver by Steel. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ji misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steel.
It looked like Steel wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sammy Ji seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ji misses with a looping right.
Ji is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Steel slips a straight right by Ji.
An attempted straight right counter from Steel misses the target.
Ji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steel was well out of range. Poor timing from Ji.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ji looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sammy Ji will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Ji gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ji moves to clinch but Steel breaks away
and Steel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ji thuds a left hand into Steel's body.
Ji throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ji throws a body punch but Steel moves out of range.
Ji misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ji moves into the clinch.
Ji misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ji swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ji scores with a shoulder strike.
Ji swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ji goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ji lands with a light punch inside.
Steel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ji's elbow.
Ji swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ji has Steel pressed against the cage, preventing Steel from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ji blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Ji fails to land.
Ji blocks an uppercut.
Ji fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steel wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nice body punch from Ji - that landed with a thud.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Steel is trying to break free.
Ji misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steel wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ji has him pressed against the cage.
Ji throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel.
Ji blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ji throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ji misses with a hook to the ribs.
A frustrated look appears on Steel's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Ji.
Ji keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Steel's efforts to push away.
Steel misses with a punch on the inside.
Ji trying to stall but Steel improves his position.
Ji is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ji misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Ji fails to land.
Ji lands a body punch.
Ji throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ji swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ji lands a body punch.
Ji blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ji is keeping busy.
Steel lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel misses with some punches.
Steel wants to get back to striking at distance but Ji won't allow it.
Steel softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Steel's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ji prevents Steel from breaking the clinch.
Ji lands a hook that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Steel working aggressively here.
Ji throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel.
Ji tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ji has a couple of punches blocked by Steel.
Steel working aggressively here.
Ji lands a shoulder strike.
Steel is looking to break free of the clinch but Ji has double underhooks.
Steel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ji swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ji lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Steel is trying to force a seperation but Ji has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ji slowing the pace effectively.
Ji prevents Steel from breaking the clinch.
A short right from Ji on the inside.
Steel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steel misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ji.
Ji pushes Steel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ji has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ji backwards.
Steel misses with a punch on the inside.
Steel lands a nice shot to the body.
Ji has a couple of punches blocked by Steel.
Ji swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ji swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bob Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sammy Ji is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Steel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sammy Ji comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ji 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sammy Ji!