PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Fuller (ranked 952 p4p, 1980 weight class) and Alex Steel Ii (ranked 141 p4p, 281 weight class). Alex Steel Ii told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Fuller
vs
Steel Ii

173 cm
23
170
9 - 5 - 0

185 cm
23
179
7 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains
Brooklyn Threads

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Fuller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Alex Steel Ii!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Ben Watson and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fuller misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Steel Ii counters with a leg kick.
Steel Ii lands a high kick!
Steel Ii pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Fuller shoots in and bounces Steel Ii off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fuller trying to control but Steel Ii is working from the bottom.
Fuller passes Steel Ii's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Steel Ii trying to hold on to Fuller's head to control him but Fuller postures up.
Fuller is trying to control. Steel Ii wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fuller missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Steel Ii keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Steel Ii won't allow Fuller to pass to mount.
Fuller looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel Ii preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Fuller drops an elbow to the side of Steel Ii's head.
Fuller slows the pace down in half guard.
Fuller not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fuller has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Fuller sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Steel Ii defending well though.
Steel Ii slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Steel Ii preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Steel Ii looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fuller is one step ahead there.
Steel Ii is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fuller is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fuller distracts Steel Ii with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fuller pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Steel Ii is keeping the position for now.
Steel Ii is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Fuller drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Steel Ii manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Fuller has Steel Ii in his guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Steel Ii trying to control but Fuller is working from the bottom.
Steel Ii postures up in Fuller's guard and throws a big left but Fuller blocks it.
Steel Ii trying to control but Fuller is working from the bottom.
Fuller is trying to control the position but Steel Ii postures up.

Fuller working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Steel Ii has passed into half guard!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel Ii tries to stand but can't do so whilst Fuller controls his leg.
Steel Ii looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Fuller avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Steel Ii.
Fuller moves into full guard.
Steel Ii trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Fuller is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Steel Ii defends well.
Fuller is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fuller is just content to waste time from the top position. Steel Ii takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Fuller is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuller wants to control from the top but Steel Ii keeps moving.

Steel Ii scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Fuller misses with a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fuller tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Steel Ii swivels and escapes.
Alex Steel Ii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel Ii throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Fuller fails with a takedown attempt.
Fuller moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSteel Ii.
Fuller takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel Ii avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fuller moves away from the strike by Steel Ii.
Fuller misses the shot to the body.
Fuller just misses with a punch to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Fuller as he connects with a hook.
Fuller connects with a body shot.
Fuller looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel Ii connects with a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Steel Ii will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fuller darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fuller misses the shot to the body.
Fuller moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSteel Ii.
Fuller just misses with a punch to the body.
Steel Ii ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fuller is defended easily by Steel Ii.
Fuller takes a swing at Steel Ii's ribcage but misses.
Steel Ii keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Steel Ii moves out of range as Fuller throws a body kick.
Steel Ii scores with a nice strike.
Steel Ii chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fuller with a nice cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fuller throws a body shot but no joy.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Steel Ii.
Fuller shoots in but no luck this time.
Steel Ii lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Steel Ii enables Fuller to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Steel Ii manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Steel Ii has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Fuller off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuller fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Steel Ii avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Fuller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Steel Ii.
Fuller is looking to wear down Steel Ii with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Fuller has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Steel Ii.
A head kick misses from Steel Ii.
Fuller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steel Ii.
Steel Ii does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fuller drops down looking for a counter takedown but Steel Ii sprawls and moves away.
An inside leg kick from Steel Ii misses.
Steel Ii dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fuller. That did some damage!

Fuller shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Steel Ii manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Fuller trying to control the position from guard on top but Steel Ii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steel Ii lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel Ii postures up.
Steel Ii is looking to pass into half guard but Fuller pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Fuller is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Fuller's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fuller passes into half guard.
Steel Ii tries to get to full guard but Fuller has control of the leg.
Steel Ii is positioning himself well to prevent Fuller advancing to mount.
Fuller is pressing down on Steel Ii's thigh, looking to free his foot. Steel Ii is holding on for now.
Steel Ii gets back to full guard.

Fuller thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
John Fuller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fuller forces his way into half guard.

Steel Ii has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Fuller is on him like a limpet, forcing Steel Ii back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Fuller.
Fuller lands a body punch.
Fuller can't find room to land a body shot as Steel Ii controls the action.
Fuller has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Steel Ii avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fuller misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fuller tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel Ii's elbow.
Fuller misses with the head strike.
Fuller can't find room to land a body shot as Steel Ii controls the action.
Fuller tries to work over Steel Ii's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Steel Ii breaks from the clinch.
Steel Ii throws a half hearted mid kick.
Steel Ii tries to land a front kick but Fuller steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fuller tries to counter with a takedown but Steel Ii is quick to defend against it.
Steel Ii throws a series of punches but Fuller avoids them all with ease.
A low kick lands for Steel Ii.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuller takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Steel Ii lands a really nice looking cross but Fuller seems unphased.
Fuller misses with a head kick.
Steel Ii lands a nice looking kick to the body. Fuller takes a step back to recover.
Steel Ii looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fuller is fending him off so far but Steel Ii persists. Nope, Fuller circles away and we're back to standing.
A slapping body kick lands there for Steel Ii.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel Ii throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Steel Ii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steel Ii has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Steel Ii swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steel Ii defending well as Fuller loads up on a big left hand.
That kick from Steel Ii tenderised Fuller's leg. Fuller is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fuller loads up on a big right hand but Steel Ii slips the punch.
Steel Ii has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fuller scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Alex Steel Ii seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fuller misses with a wild body shot.
Fuller throws a body punch but Steel Ii moves out of range.
Fuller moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steel Ii misses with a two punch combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Steel Ii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Fuller throws a shot from downtown. Steel Ii moves away and avoids it.
Fuller will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steel Ii thows a body kick. Fuller tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Steel Ii throws a head kick that misses.
Steel Ii delivers a nice body kick.
Fuller tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fuller takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Steel Ii throws a sloppy head kick and Fuller moves out of range easily.
Fuller avoids the head kick by Steel Ii.
Fuller moves out of range of the leg kick from Steel Ii.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel Ii throws a head kick but Fuller moves out of range.
Steel Ii takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fuller will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Fuller is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Fuller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steel Ii was well out of range. Poor timing from Fuller.
Steel Ii misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel Ii lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel Ii scores with a nice body kick.
Fuller fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Steel Ii on the side of the head.
Steel Ii dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fuller. That did some damage!
Steel Ii throws a sloppy head kick and Fuller moves out of range easily.
Fuller moves out of range as Steel Ii throws a body kick.

Fuller changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Steel Ii looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Fuller is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Steel Ii knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Steel Ii is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Steel Ii's face as Fuller controls the position.
Fuller throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Steel Ii works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Fuller trying to pass the guard but Steel Ii defending well.
John Fuller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fuller missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Steel Ii is looking to escape.
Steel Ii won't allow Fuller to pass to mount.

Fuller is looking for a kimura but Steel Ii is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fuller to get the leverage.
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 Ii regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fuller is looking to work some ground and pound but Steel Ii has wrist control.
Fuller tries to free his leg and advance position but Steel Ii is retaining full guard.
Steel Ii pulls Fuller in to control the position.
Steel Ii looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Fuller drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fuller jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fuller might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fuller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steel Ii swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Steel Ii is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fuller is controlling him.

Steel Ii scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel Ii misses with a body kick.
Steel Ii avoids the body shot from Fuller.
Horrible takedown attempt by Fuller or perhaps it was just good defense by Steel Ii, which made it look bad.
Steel Ii tries a quick counter leg kick but Fuller is wise to it.
Steel Ii pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice body kick there by Steel Ii.
Steel Ii punishes Fuller's body with a nice straight punch.
Fuller jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Steel Ii closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fuller trying to hold on to Steel Ii's head to control him but Steel Ii postures up.
Fuller is refusing to be controlled, as Steel Ii sits in half guard.
Fuller is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel Ii is thwarting Fuller's attempts to control the position.
Steel Ii thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fuller's head.
Fuller is looking for a sweep. Steel Ii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Steel Ii is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Alex Steel Ii is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fuller makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fuller.

Fuller is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Steel Ii is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Steel Ii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Steel Ii winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Steel Ii!