PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thom Tharrier (ranked 1800 p4p, 1279 weight class) and Jack Steel (ranked 201 p4p, 156 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Tharrier
vs
Steel

170 cm
27
270
15 - 23 - 0

196 cm
36
256
14 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Vegan Gains

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 15 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thom Tharrier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Steel!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Tharrier. Steel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tharrier takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Tharrier seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Steel wants to clinch.
Steel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

It looks like Jack Steel has been cut.
Tharrier misses with a low kick.

Steel rushes Tharrier and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Steel working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tharrier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tharrier can't find room to land a body shot as Steel controls the action.
Steel throws a head punch that misses.
Steel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tharrier lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Steel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tharrier swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tharrier lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Steel cracks Tharrier with a nice body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tharrier working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Steel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tharrier blocks a body shot from Steel.
Tharrier gets through Steel's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Steel digs a right hand into Tharrier's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tharrier's gas tank.
Tharrier blocks a body shot from Steel.
Steel lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tharrier scores with a hook to the body.

Tharrier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tharrier chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Steel can pounce on him.
Tharrier misses with a double jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tharrier lands with a short shot to the head.
A short uppercut from Tharrier.
Tharrier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tharrier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tharrier.
Tharrier throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Steels head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tharrier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tharrier.
Steel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steel tries to work over Tharrier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tharrier misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tharrier.
Steel gets through Tharrier's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Steel lands with a light punch inside.
Tharrier blocks a body shot from Steel.

Tharrier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tharrier takes a jab right on the kisser.
Steel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tharrier connects with an inside leg kick.
Tharrier throws a wild body kick that Steel sees coming a mile off.
Tharrier throws a hook but Steel blocks it.
Steel tries to counter with a clinch but Tharrier shakes him off and moves away.
Steel throws a low kick, looking for Tharrier's leg but Tharrier calmly moves out of range.
Steel connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Steel avoids the body shot from Tharrier.
Steel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tharrier darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That has opened up Jack Steel's cut even more.
Tharrier throws a body punch but Steel moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tharrier misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tharrier 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 steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tharrier.
Steel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tharrier momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Tharrier does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tharrier swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tharrier circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tharrier was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tharrier throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Steel slips a jab from Tharrier.
Steel is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Steel smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tharrier misses with a hook.
Tharrier takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Tharrier does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Some wild striking there from Tharrier.
Steel throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tharrier's head.
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!

Steel rushes Tharrier and presses him up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tharrier.
Tharrier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steel lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tharrier lands a hook that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Tharrier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tharrier misses with the head strike.

Tharrier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Steel checks the leg kick.
Steel is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Tharrier throws a nice looking combination but Steel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tharrier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thom Tharrier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tharrier takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tharrier takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Steel connects with a body shot.
Tharrier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tharrier misses the jab.
Tharrier fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Steel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tharrier displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steel with a hook.
Steel has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Steel lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tharrier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tharrier throws a body punch but Steel moves out of range.
Tharrier is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Steel's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Tharrier waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Steel.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Thom Tharrier will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jack Steel's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A jab from Tharrier misses.
Steel jabs at Tharrier's body.
Steel defending well as Tharrier loads up on a big left hand.
Steel tried to score with a low kick but Tharrier checks it.
Tharrier throws a hook but Steel avoids it easily.
Tharrier misses with a wild body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tharrier throws a leg kick but Steel sees it coming and moves out of range.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tharrier.

Steel closes the distance and pushes Tharrier back into the cage.
Steel misses with a body punch.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steel lands a body shot in the clinch.
Steel makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tharrier lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tharrier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steel misses with a punch on the inside.

Tharrier breaks from the clinch.
Steel throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tharrier.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tharrier will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Steel moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tharrier blocking some punches.
Tharrier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel pushes Tharrier back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Steel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Steel scores with a shoulder strike.
Tharrier trying to control the position but instead, Steel has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tharrier into the cage.
Steel pushes Tharrier back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Tharrier.
Steel cracks Tharrier with a nice body shot.
A short right from Steel.
Steel swings wildly with an uppercut but Tharrier uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short body shot lands from Steel as the two fighters clinch.
Steel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Steel struggles to land a body shot inside as Tharrier controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Steel.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tharrier.
Tharrier takes a shot to the head.
Steel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tharrier backwards.
A right hand to the body from Steel.
Steel presses Tharrier against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short left from Steel.
Jack Steel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Steel.
Steel tries to work over Tharrier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tharrier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short body shot lands from Steel as the two fighters clinch.
Steel works on Tharrier's body with a couple of short punches.
Steel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tharrier backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Steel.
Steel lands a shoulder strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Steel.
Steel lands with a right to the head.
Steel scores with a hook to the body.
Steel lands a shot to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Steel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Steel.
Steel pushes Tharrier back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Steel.
Steel working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Steel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tharrier backwards.
Steel lands with a light punch inside.
A short right from Steel on the inside.
Steel lands a right hand.
Steel lands a nice uppercut.
Tharrier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Steel lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Steel scores with a shot to the side of Tharrier's head.
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!
Steel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Steel lands a hook that snaps the head of Tharrier backwards.
Steel struggles to land a body shot inside as Tharrier controls his hands.
A left hand lands to the body for Steel.
A short right from Steel.
Steel tries a body shot but Tharrier blocks it.
Steel working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tharrier working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel can't find room to land a body shot as Tharrier controls the action.
Steel can't find room to land a body shot as Tharrier controls the action.

Tharrier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steel staying out of range there.
Steel thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tharrier if he has to take too many more of those.
Steel doesn't manage to clinch there - Tharrier circles away.
Tharrier misses with a wild body shot.
Tharrier pivots, looking for a leg kick but Steel is out of range and Tharrier settles back down.
Danga de danga de dang - Steel scores with a four punch combination!
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Steel. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Steel closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tharrier throws a low kick but Steel moves out of range easily.
Steel steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Tharrier.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tharrier.

Steel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tharrier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tharrier tries to break the clinch but Steel is controlling the position.
Tharrier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Steel is keeping busy.
Steel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tharrier's elbow.
Tharrier takes a shot to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jack Steel's cut.
That's time! 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.

Steel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Steel chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tharrier misses the jab.
Jack Steel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Steel scores with a decent looking hook.
Tharrier misses with a straight left.
Steel throws a shot to the body.
Steel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tharrier moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Steel jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tharrier misses with a double jab.
Tharrier tries to work over Steel's front leg with a kick but Steel checks it.
Steel steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Tharrier.
A bone on bone clash there as Steel blocks the leg kick.
Steel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tharrier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Steel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tharrier. That did some damage!

Steel moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Still in the clinch, Steel scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Steel fails to land.
Tharrier blocks an uppercut.
Tharrier misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tharrier wants to get back to striking at distance but Steel won't allow it.
Tharrier scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tharrier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel can't find room to land a body shot as Tharrier controls the action.
Steel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tharrier is looking to break free of the clinch but Steel has double underhooks.
Steel misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tharrier.
Steel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tharrier misses with a short punch on the inside.
Steel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel pushes Tharrier back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steel tries a body shot but Tharrier blocks it.
Steel works on Tharrier's body with a couple of short punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Steel.
Steel lands with a left to the head.
Steel misses with a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Steel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Steel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tharrier swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tharrier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tharrier misses with a body punch.

Tharrier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel is looking to slow Tharrier down with leg kicks.
Steel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Steel avoids the body shot from Tharrier.
Tharrier throws a leg kick that misses.
Steel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tharrier's head backwards.
Tharrier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steel manages to avoid it.
Steel lands a nice looking body kick.
Nice body punch from Tharrier.
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tharrier throws out the jab.
Tharrier takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Steel connects with a leg kick.
A low kick lands for Steel.

Tharrier tries to keep at a distance but Steel has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tharrier is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Steel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tharrier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tharrier misses with some punches.
Tharrier stalling.
Tharrier tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Tharrier fails to land.
Steel misses with a body punch.
Steel lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tharrier backwards.
Tharrier has a couple of punches blocked by Steel.
Tharrier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tharrier lands with a right to the head.
Steel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel takes a shot to the head.
Steel lands a body shot in the clinch.
Steel presses Tharrier against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tharrier tries to circle away but Steel has him pinned against the cage.
Tharrier working aggressively here.
Steel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tharrier has had enough of the clinch but Steel keeps him there for the moment.
A hook to the body from Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel keeps control of Tharrier as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Steel tries a body shot but Tharrier blocks it.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steel works on Tharrier's body with a couple of short punches.
Steel lands a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steel misses with a punch to the body.
Steel tries to throw a body punch but Tharrier avoids it by throwing Steel back against the cage.
Tharrier swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steel lands a nice shot to the body.
Tharrier prevents a body shot from Steel.
Steel tries to work over Tharrier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steel lands a nice uppercut.
Steel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tharrier backwards.
Steel lands a body punch.
Tharrier blocks a body shot from Steel.
Steel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tharrier backwards.
Steel makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Steel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Steel 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Steel!
Jack Steel gave a mention to Vegan Gains in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).