PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juha Sipila (ranked 2939 p4p, 1455 weight class) and Jack Steel (ranked 325 p4p, 170 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Juha Sipila has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Juha Sipila seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Sipila
vs
Steel

224 cm
25
265
2 - 0 - 0

196 cm
34
256
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Urban Fighter

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Sipila!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Steel!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.
Sipila takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sipila looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sipila swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sipila tries to work over Steel's front leg with a kick but Steel checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Steel! But no joy.
Sipila really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Steel misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Steel.
Sipila wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Sipila takes the fight into the clinch.
Steel tries to circle away but Sipila has him pinned against the cage.
Sipila scores with a nice hook to the head.
Steel struggles to land a body shot inside as Sipila controls his hands.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steel blocks an uppercut.
Sipila goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel can't find room to land a body shot as Sipila controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sipila.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steel.
Sipila is leaning against Steel and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Steel lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sipila backwards.
Steel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sipila misses with some punches.
Sipila throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sipila misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Steel breaks from the clinch.
Sipila's jab looks to have found its range, popping Steel under the eye.
Sipila moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sipila.
Steel tries to bum rush Sipila with a series of wild strikes but Sipila uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Steel defending well as Sipila loads up on a big left hand.
Steel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nice straight punches there by Sipila. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sipila.
Sipila connects with an inside leg kick.
Sipila throws a nice looking combination but Steel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sipila.
Sipila moves away from the strike by Steel.
Sipila tries to counter by clinching up but Steel breaks away and moves out of range.
A left lands for Steel.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sipila blocks a head kick by Steel.
Sipila throws a body shot but no joy.
Sipila displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.
Sipila is looking to counter the offense by Steel and move into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sipila throws a leg kick which misses Steel's front leg but catches the back leg as Steel tries to avoid it.
Steel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steel throws a sloppy head kick and Sipila moves out of range easily.
Steel staying out of range there.
Sipila cracks Steel with an open hand slap.
Sipila is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steel.
Steel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sipila.
Sipila lands a jab to Steel's midsection.
Steel throws a sloppy head kick and Sipila moves out of range easily.
Sipila with a hook.
Sipila misses with a wild body shot.
Steel keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Steel was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Sipila lands a jab.

It looks like Jack Steel has been cut.
Steel throws a head kick that misses.
Sipila lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sipila throws a body shot but no joy.
Steel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sipila moves out of range of the body kick.
Sipila throws a nice inside leg kick.
Steel misses with a head kick.
Sipila throws a jab but it's blocked by Steel.
Sipila swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Sipila misses with a body shot.
Sipila is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Steel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sipila.
Steel blocks a low kick nicely.
Steel checks a leg kick.
Sipila on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Steel throws a hook but Sipila blocks it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Steel crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sipila - the referee stops the clock and Steel gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sipila. Steel manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sipila tries to clinch there but Steel circles away.
Steel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steel misses with a straight left.
Sipila is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sipila scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sipila misses with a wild body shot.
Steel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Steel misses with an uppercut. Sipila saw that one coming.
Sipila seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Sipila blocks the body kick.
Sipila swings away with a body shot that misses
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.
Sipila lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Steel at a distance.
A head kick misses from Steel.
Steel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sipila lands with a hook. Steel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Steel takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sipila takes the fight into the clinch.
Sipila lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Sipila dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jack Steel's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sipila pushes Steel away with a front kick.
Steel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sipila just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sipila.
Steel has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sipila finds it's way round the side to connect with Steel's head.
Steel fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sipila checks it well.
Steel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sipila.
Sipila throws a push kick but Steel slaps the foot to one side.
Juha Sipila is winning the standup battle so far.
Steel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sipila throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Steel on the side of the head.

That has opened up Jack Steel's cut even more.
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.
Steel's coach down at London MMA Club was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Steel's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sipila tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Steel counters with a head kick.
Steel checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sipila throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sipila steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steel.
Sipila throws a front kick that sends Steel stumbling back into the cage.
Sipila is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steel can do to turn this around?
Sipila fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Steel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Steel takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Juha Sipila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sipila uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Steel.
Steel with a jab.
Sipila swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Steel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sipila misses with a right hand
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sipila throws a body kick that misses.
Sipila looks to land a body kick but Steel moved away.
Steel misses with a head kick.
Sipila misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sipila tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steel was well out of range. Poor timing from Sipila.
Sipila is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Sipila lands a glancing blow to the side of Steel's head.
Steel throws an overhand right that lands on Sipila's shoulder, as Sipila tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel misses with a straight right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sipila swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Steel takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sipila is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Steel staying out of range there.
Sipila ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steel moves away.
Steel looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
A cross from Sipila lands.
Steel scores with a jab.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Steel crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sipila - the referee stops the clock and Steel gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sipila. Steel manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Steel avoids the body shot from Sipila.
Sipila just misses with a punch to the body.
Sipila tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sipila misses with a body kick.
Steel looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws a nice looking combination but Sipila bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sipila.
Sipila misses with an attempted mid kick.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Steel throws a body kick that misses.
Sipila lands a slapping body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sipila. That's going to slow Steel down.
Sipila swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Steel.
Steel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sipila on the side of the head.
Steel goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Steel takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sipila blocks a head kick by Steel.
Sipila scores with a one two! Steel had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
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!
A jab from Sipila finds it's way through Steel's defenses.
Steel checks a low kick from Sipila.
Sipila has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Sipila displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sipila walks forward, straight into a front kick from Steel.
Sipila misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Steel counters with a nice uppercut.
Sipila connects with a body shot.
Sipila walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Steel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sipila misses the shot to the body.
Steel moves out of range of the body kick.
Sipila blocks a head kick by Steel.
Sipila wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Steel looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Steel throws a head kick but Sipila moves out of range.
Sipila throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sipila throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sipila swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sipila looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Sipila dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jack Steel's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sipila scores with a spinning back kick!
Sipila lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Steel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sipila cracks Steel with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Steel throws a sloppy head kick and Sipila moves out of range easily.
Sipila misses with a body shot.
Steel has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sipila ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
Steel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sipila throws a front kick that sends Steel stumbling back into the cage.
Steel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sipila. Sipila obviously looking to wear him down.
Sipila lands a jab to Steel's midsection.
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!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sipila.
Steel has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Sipila.
Sipila moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Steel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sipila dips to his left and cracks Steel with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Sipila - just one landing.
Sipila lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sipila scores with a leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Sipila.
Sipila lands a body shot.
Sipila lands with a nice body kick.
Steel slips a straight right by Sipila.
Sipila lands with a thumping leg kick.
Steel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Steel looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sipila tried to score with a low kick but Steel checks it.
Steel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Sipila forces Steel back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sipila misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sipila misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sipila misses with a body punch.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jack Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Steel throws a head kick that misses.
Sipila jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Sipila throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sipila lands a lovely overhand right.
Sipila tries to bum rush Steel with a series of wild strikes but Steel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Steel on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sipila tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Steel to counter with a crisp jab.
Steel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sipila lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sipila bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Steel's head backwards.
Steel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sipila avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sipila slips a straight right by Steel.
Sipila moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sipila.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sipila.
A telegraphed right hand from Sipila misses the target.
Sipila pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Steel throws a big counter head kick but Sipila avoids it with no problem.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Sipila wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sipila misses with a body kick.
Nice jab there from Sipila.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sipila.
Sipila cracks Steel with a good jab.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sipila.
Steel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steel slips a jab from Sipila.
Sipila misses with a body shot.
Juha Sipila is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sipila swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel misses with a straight left.
Sipila thuds his right hand into Steel's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sipila sizes up Steel with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steel takes one to the side of the head.
Sipila pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice jab there from Sipila.
Sipila throws a jab when Steel was well out of range.
Steel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A left lands for Sipila.
Sipila connects with a single shot there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sipila throws a shot from downtown. Steel moves away and avoids it.
Steel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Steel misses its intended target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juha Sipila showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sipila 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juha Sipila!