PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Odchigin Khadan (ranked 633 p4p, 619 weight class) and Stanley Steele (ranked 99 p4p, 96 weight class). Khadan kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Altai Kai (Turkic Throat Singing). Steele is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Manowar - Heart of Steel. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Khadan
vs
Steele

179 cm
36
192
25 - 18 - 1

179 cm
35
188
29 - 12 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
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 25 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Odchigin Khadan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stanley Steele!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Steele misses.
Steele misses with a hook.
Khadan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Khadan throws an off balance right hand
and Steele cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Steele throws a jab when Khadan was well out of range.
Khadan attempts a counter takedown but Steele avoids it well and moves away.
A shot to the body from Khadan misses
and Khadan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Steele throws a shot to the body.
Steele throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Steele takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Stanley Steele has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khadan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steele.
A swing and a miss from Steele.
Steele misses with a wild body shot.
Khadan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Khadan 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.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Khadan.
Stanley Steele is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Khadan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Steele thuds a left hand into Khadan's body.
Khadan lands with a shot to the body.
Khadan connects with a crisp jab.
Steele is looking to clinch but Khadan is avoiding it.
Khadan swings away with a body shot that misses
and Steele counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khadan moves away.
Khadan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Steele finds it's way round the side to connect with Khadan's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khadan moves forwards but Steele connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Steele tries to close the distance and clinch but Khadan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Khadan misses with a shot to the body
and Steele counters with a nice uppercut.
Steele moves away from the strike by Khadan.
Steele tries a quick counter leg kick but Khadan is wise to it.
Steele misses with a right hand
and Khadan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Steele moves into range and clinches up with Khadan.
Khadan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but Khadan blocks with his arms.
Khadan lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steele's elbow.
Khadan misses with a body punch.
Steele digs a right hand into Khadan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Khadan's gas tank.
Khadan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Steele backwards.
Khadan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Khadan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Steele.
Steele tries a knee to the head but Khadan blocks it.
Khadan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but Khadan blocks with his arms.
Khadan avoiding damage as Steele throws knees to the body.
Khadan throws a punch but it's blocked by Steele.
Steele landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Steele lands a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Steele as Khadan tries to tie him up.
Khadan pressing his opponent against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Khadan.
Khadan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Khadan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steele tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Steele gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Khadan.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but Khadan blocks with his arms.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steele.
A right hook to the body lands for Khadan.
Steele with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Steele working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Steele tries a knee to the head but Khadan blocks it.
Steele misses with a knee to the head.

Khadan pulls guard.
Steele trying to control but Khadan is working from the bottom.
Khadan is trying to keep Steele in close.
Khadan looking for a sweep. Not yet Khadan, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stanley Steele dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Stanley Steele's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Khadan tries to close the distance and clinch but Steele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steele connects with a looping right hand.
Steele motions for Khadan to come forward. Steele throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Khadan is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Steele.
Khadan lunges at Steele with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Steele's hand.
Steele throws a series of punches but Khadan avoids them all with ease.
It looked like Khadan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Khadan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Steele takes a swing at Khadan's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steele lands a lovely overhand right.

Steele clinches with his opponent.
Khadan can't find room to land a body shot as Steele controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khadan unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Khadan is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Steele can't fight it off and eventually Khadan manages to take the fight to the floor. Steele looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Steele is breathing heavily.

Steele working for submissions but it's allowed Khadan to get to half guard.

Khadan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Steele has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Khadan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steele keeps working.
Khadan perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khadan trying to control the action but Steele is working from the bottom.
Steele wants to get back to full guard.

Khadan is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Steele has managed to free his arm - good work.
Steele is trying to get back to full guard.
Khadan controlling the action here.
We've been hearing good reports from Khadan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele wants to stand back up but Khadan manages to pass into side control.
Khadan is looking to take a break and control but Steele is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khadan controlling from side mount.
Steele can't do much from the bottom here.
Steele is not content to let Khadan control the position.
Steele wants to control but Khadan postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Steele is trying to escape the position but Khadan is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stanley Steele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circle momentarily. Steele darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Khadan misses with a wild body shot.
Steele looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Steele throws out a loose jab but Khadan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khadan blocks a jab.
Khadan misses with a hook to the body
and Steele connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stanley Steele seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Steele throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khadan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Khadan takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stanley Steele showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Stanley Steele's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Khadan moves away from the strike by Steele.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Khadan.
Steele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Steele catches Khadan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Steele lands a jab.
Khadan misses with an uppercut
and Steele counters with a nice uppercut.
Khadan scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Khadan finds it's way through Steele's defenses.
Steele misses the body punch

and Khadan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Khadan.
Khadan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Odchigin Khadan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khadan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Khadan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steele prevents a body shot from Khadan.
Steele utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Khadan avoiding damage as Steele throws knees to the body.
Khadan tries a body shot but Steele blocks it.
Steele using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Khadan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Khadan misses with a punch on the inside.
Steele has a couple of punches blocked by Khadan.
Steele landing knees to the head.
Khadan misses with a punch to the body.
Steele digs a right hand underneath Khadan's ribcage. Khadan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Khadan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steele tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Steele blocks a body shot from Khadan.
Steele prevents a body shot from Khadan.
Steele tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Khadan takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khadan misses with a hook to the ribs.

Steele breaks from the clinch.
Steele tries to land a body kick
and Khadan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khadan throws a predictable looking body shot
and Steele counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Khadan throws a body shot but no joy.
Steele throws a hook but Khadan avoids it easily.
Khadan is looking to counter punch.
Steele throws a hook but Khadan avoids it easily.

Steele rushes Khadan and presses him up against the cage.
Steele misses with a knee to the head.
Khadan is looking to control Steele's arms but Steele gets an underhook and turns him. Now Khadan has his back to the cage.
Khadan swings wildly with an uppercut but Steele uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadan can't find room to land a body shot as Steele controls the action.
Steele lands with a short shot to the head.
Steele lands a body shot in the clinch.
Steele scores with a knee to the head.
Steele misses with a knee to the head.
Steele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steele blocks a body shot from Khadan.
Steele is defending well against a takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Khadan.
Khadan lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Steele backwards.
Khadan scores with a nice hook to the head.
Steele lands an uppercut.
Steele with an attempt at a knee that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steele.
Steele gets underhooks to prevent Khadan's takedown attempt.
Steele using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Khadan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Khadan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steele lands with a left to the head.
Steele misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khadan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Steele pushes Khadan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Khadan managing to block the knees to the body from Steele.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Steele.
Khadan tries to work over Steele's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steele lands with a left to the head.
Steele scores with a shot to the side of Khadan's head.
Steele throws a knee to the head but misses.
Steele prevents a body shot from Khadan.
Khadan throws a head punch that misses.
Stanley Steele seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Steele using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Khadan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steele throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Khadan blocks it with crossed arms.
A short body shot lands from Khadan as the two fighters clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Khadan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Khadan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Steele blocking some punches.
Khadan is working for takedown but Steele is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stanley Steele is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Odchigin Khadan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khadan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Steele lands with a short punch from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stanley Steele comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Steele 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stanley Steele!
A relieved looking Stanley Steele thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.