PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Stepanov (ranked 2140 p4p, 208 weight class) and Sting Fire (ranked 1866 p4p, 189 weight class). Sting Fire will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Stepanov
vs
Fire

195 cm
22
270 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

210 cm
22
272 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Konstantin Stepanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sting Fire!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Alyssa Summers and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Fire cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Konstantin Stepanov has been cut.
Stepanov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fire.
Fire is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Stepanov with a body shot.
Stepanov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Stepanov shoots in and bounces Fire off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stepanov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stepanov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Stepanov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fire is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stepanov lands a couple of digs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanov throwing strikes but missing.
Fire working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stepanov.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fire can do anything to dispel that myth.
Stepanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fire works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fire wants to stand and escape but Stepanov is having none of it.
Fire seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fire is controlling Stepanov's posture.
Stepanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stepanov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Stepanov wants to control from the top but Fire keeps moving.
Stepanov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fire's head.
Stepanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stepanov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fire managing to control the position.
Stepanov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fire trying to control the position.
Stepanov stops Fire from standing up.
Fire seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Stepanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Fire has wrist control.
Stepanov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fire's head.
Fire keeping moving, preventing Stepanov from controlling successfully.
Fire wants to get back to his feet but Stepanov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Stepanov landing with the ground and pound.
Fire has control of Stepanov's left arm, preventing Stepanov from doing any damage.
Fire looking to control.
Stepanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Fire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fire is pulling down on Stepanov's head to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stepanov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stepanov with a nice head shot there.
Fire is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Fire looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov postures up and lands a big shot to Fire's brow.
Fire wants to stand up but Stepanov is controlling him.
Stepanov wants to control from the top but Fire keeps moving.
Stepanov postures up in Fire's guard and throws a big left but Fire blocks it.
Stepanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stepanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stepanov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fire's head.
Stepanov with a nice head shot there.
Fire avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stepanov stands up over Fire, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Fire is rocked!
Fire trying to keep a closed guard but Stepanov is proving a slippery customer.
Fire is still in real trouble! Can Stepanov finish him?
Stepanov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stepanov arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Fire's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Konstantin Stepanov!
Konstantin Stepanov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.