PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nazz Lee (ranked 2189 p4p, 268 weight class) and Butch Steel (ranked 2323 p4p, 279 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lee
vs
Steel

185 cm
29
187 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

176 cm
37
192 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
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 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nazz Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Butch Steel!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lee lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A shot to the liver by Lee. Beautiful body shot.
Steel 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.
Steel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lee.
Nazz Lee seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Steel misses the target.
An attempted straight right counter from Lee misses the target.
Lee lands with a cross.
An inside leg kick lands from Lee.

Lee clinches with his opponent.
Steel wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lee has him pressed against the cage.
Lee wants a takedown.
Lee can't find room to land a body shot as Steel controls the action.
Lee wants a takedown.
Lee scores with a shot to the side of Steel's head.
Steel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lee misses with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Lee.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel misses with a punch on the inside.
Lee prevents a body shot from Steel.
Lee goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel is fighting off a takedown attempt but Lee is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Steel to the mat. Steel regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Steel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lee is controlling him.
Lee wants to pass the guard but Steel is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steel seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Steel is looking to stand up but Lee isn't so interested in that idea.
Lee trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Lee looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The fighters circling - Steel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lee lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Steel at a distance.
Steel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lee scores with a jab to the head.

Steel has closed the distance and engaged Lee in a clinch.
Lee makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lee misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steel throws a punch but it's blocked by Lee.
Good body shot from Steel.
Lee tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Steel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lee lands a glancing blow to the side of Steel's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Lee.
Steel misses with a straight right.
Steel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Steel blocks a head kick by Lee.

Lee gets a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Steel fails to land.
Lee struggles to land a body shot inside as Steel controls his hands.
A short left from Lee.
Lee is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nazz Lee. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Steel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lee tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steel was well out of range. Poor timing from Lee.
Steel throws out a counter right but Lee avoids it with no problem.
Lee throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A head kick by Lee misses
and Steel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Lee looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel working a defensive guard here.
Steel wants to stand but Lee is controlling the position.

Lee postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Steel is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lee, into his guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Steel preventing the sweep.
Lee managing to control the position.
Steel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nazz Lee dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Steel misses with a looping right.
Steel checks a low kick from Lee.
Lee scores with a nice strike.
Steel misses with an uppercut.
Lee fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Steel on the side of the head.
Steel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lee.
Lee jabs Steel right on the nose. Steel blinks but takes it well.
Steel keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lee is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee tries to clinch but Steel is having none of it.
Lee jabs at Steel's body.
Lee getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Steel has Lee up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel has a couple of punches blocked by Lee.
Steel gets through Lee's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lee lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lee is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steel.
Lee works on Steel's body with a couple of short punches.
Steel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lee tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lee lands with a left to the head.
Lee tries to throw a body punch but Steel avoids it by throwing Lee back against the cage.
Lee tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nazz Lee has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lee.
Steel has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Lee seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Steel can turn it around.
Lee misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lee misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steel stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Lee struggles to land a body shot inside as Steel controls his hands.
Steel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel is looking to control Lee's arms but Lee gets an underhook and turns him. Now Steel has his back to the cage.
Lee tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lee misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lee blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lee tries a body shot but Steel blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Steel fails to land.
Lee misses with a short punch on the inside.
Steel misses with some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Steel.
Lee lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Lee lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Steel or not.
Steel is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Steel working aggressively here.
Lee digs a right hand into Steel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Steel's gas tank.
Steel is breathing heavily.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Lee is controlling him.
A short right from Lee.
A body shot lands from Lee.
Lee tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lee drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lee tries to throw a body punch but Steel avoids it by throwing Lee back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Lee.
Lee prevents a body shot from Steel.

Steel breaks the clinch.

Lee closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Steel's guard.
Lee trying to control the position from guard on top but Steel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steel keeping full guard, as Lee tries to pass.
Lee trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Lee advances position into side control!
Lee trying to control the position but Steel is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel is looking for a sweep.
Steel wants to get back to his feet.
Lee advances to mount.
Nazz Lee overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lee fails to move to back control.
Lee wants to control but Steel has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Lee is looking to stall here but Steel recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nazz Lee dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Steel needs to keep his hands up - Lee had a free shot at his head there.
Lee looks for the body kick but Steel saw that one coming.
Lee throws out a loose jab but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lee throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lee misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Lee takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lee tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Steel swivels and escapes.
Lee turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Steel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee scores with a body shot.
Butch Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Lee closes the distance and clinches.
Lee is working for takedown but Steel is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lee tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel's elbow.
Lee tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lee wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nazz Lee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel slows down the pace here.
Steel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lee goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steel tries to stall but Lee uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lee is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steel can do to turn this around?
Steel lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Steel misses with some punches.
Lee makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Butch Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nazz Lee is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel working aggressively here.

Steel manages to break the clinch.
Lee ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Steel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steel only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Lee throws a combination. Steel tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lee listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lee lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Steel misses with a few strikes there.
Steel lands with a straight right. Lee didn't see that one coming.
Steel avoids the body shot from Lee.
Steel walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Steel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lee throws a front kick that sends Steel stumbling back into the cage.
Lee swats away the attempt to clinch by Steel.
Lee tests Steel's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lee lands a body shot.
Steel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Steel takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Steel ducks under a wild hook from Lee.
It seemed like Steel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee lands with a cross.
Steel misses with a straight left.
Lee jabs Steel right on the nose. Steel blinks but takes it well.
Steel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lee.
Lee scores with a nice head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Steel walks into a jab.
Steel takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Lee thows a left - swing and a miss!
Steel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lee.
Steel needs to keep his hands up - Lee had a free shot at his head there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nazz Lee showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lee 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nazz Lee!
A very excited looking Nazz Lee made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.