PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Steel Iii (ranked 3730 p4p, 6079 weight class) and Tommi Ritola (ranked 447 p4p, 582 weight class). Tommi Ritola will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Steel Iii
vs
Ritola

190 cm
19
280
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
20
265
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Steel Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tommi Ritola!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ritola throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ritola ducks under a wild hook from Steel Iii.
Ritola moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Steel Iii ducks under a wild hook from Ritola.
Ritola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steel Iii manages to avoid it.
Ritola looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Steel Iii gets tackled into the cage by Ritola. Ritola maintains the clinch.
Steel Iii pushes Ritola back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steel Iii.
Ritola misses with a body punch.
Steel Iii's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ritola has a couple of punches blocked by Steel Iii.
Steel Iii lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ritola backwards.
Steel Iii scores with a shoulder strike.
Ritola can't find room to land a body shot as Steel Iii controls the action.
Steel Iii lands with a light punch inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steel Iii lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ritola backwards.
Ritola dodges an elbow strike from Steel Iii.
Ritola misses with a punch to the body.
Steel Iii blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel Iii's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steel Iii lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ritola.
Steel Iii connects with a single shot there.
Steel Iii looks to land a left hand but Ritola moved out of range nicely.
Steel Iii seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
A head kick misses from Steel Iii.
Ritola fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Steel Iii has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ritola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Steel Iii manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Steel Iii blocks a jab.
Ritola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ritola tries to land a leg kick but Steel Iii saw it coming and moves away.
A little feinted left hand from Steel Iii on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ritola takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Steel Iii connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ritola attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ritola walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Alex Steel Iii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ritola misses with a low kick as Steel Iii jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ritola throws a hook but Steel Iii avoids it easily.
Jab, jab by Steel Iii - just one landing.
Steel Iii looks to score with a jab to the body but Ritola is just out of range.
Steel Iii with a nice cross.
Ritola avoids the head kick by Steel Iii.
Steel Iii throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Steel Iii throws a body shot but no joy.
Ritola appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Steel Iii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steel Iii throws an off balance right hand
and Ritola counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Decent striking displayed by Steel Iii there.
Steel Iii throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steel Iii fails to land with a series of punches.
Ritola pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ritola.
Ritola tries to clinch up.
Ritola throws a leg kick but Steel Iii sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ritola moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ritola slips a straight right by Steel Iii.
Ritola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ritola misses the shot to the body.
Ritola is looking to slow Steel Iii down with leg kicks.
Ritola displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel Iii throws out the jab.
Ritola swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ritola swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Steel Iii counters with a stiff right hand.
Ritola throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ritola takes a swing at Steel Iii's ribcage but misses.
Steel Iii lands with a nice combination. Ritola backs away looking to recover.
Steel Iii throws a combination that misses
letting Ritola counter with a right hand.
Steel Iii throws a shot from downtown. Ritola moves away and avoids it.
Ritola motions for Steel Iii to come forward. Ritola throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Steel Iii throws a sloppy head kick and Ritola moves out of range easily.

Steel Iii moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel Iii prevents a body shot from Ritola.
Ritola throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel Iii.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel Iii lands a left hand.
Ritola misses with a punch on the inside.
Ritola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel Iii's elbow.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii stalling.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ritola.
Ritola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ritola tries to throw a body punch but Steel Iii avoids it by throwing Ritola back against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Steel Iii scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steel Iii.
Steel Iii misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ritola misses with some punches.
Steel Iii lands a right hand.
Steel Iii lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ritola backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ritola swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel Iii lands with a left to the head.
A short left from Steel Iii.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Steel Iii dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Steel Iii throws a head kick that misses.
Alex Steel Iii is winning the standup battle so far.
Ritola uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii throws the left hand but Ritola avoids the punch easily.
A big left from Steel Iii misses.
Steel Iii swings for the body but Ritola moves out of range.
Steel Iii connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ritola. Ritola circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ritola throws a looping overhand right but Steel Iii ducks down to avoid it.
Steel Iii is looking for a counter combo.
Ritola misses with a body punch
and Steel Iii counters with a left and a right that stings Ritola.
Steel Iii is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ritola can do to turn this around?
Steel Iii checks the leg kick.
Steel Iii throws a nice looking combination but Ritola bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ritola blocks a head kick by Steel Iii.
Ritola now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ritola ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Steel Iii misses with a head kick.
Steel Iii throws a head kick but Ritola moves out of range.
Ritola appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Steel Iii ducks under a wild hook from Ritola.
Ritola misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ritola connects with a body shot that sends Steel Iii's belly button to the back.
Steel Iii moves away from the strike by Ritola.
Ritola lands with a nice body punch.
Ritola slips a jab from Steel Iii.

Steel Iii has closed the distance and engaged Ritola in a clinch.
Ritola lands with a short shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Steel Iii - that landed with a thud.
Steel Iii 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.
Ritola misses with a body punch.
A short left from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii lands with a short shot to the head.
Steel Iii taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ritola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steel Iii makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ritola gets through Steel Iii's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Alex Steel Iii has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ritola misses with some punches.
Steel Iii lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ritola misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel Iii with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ritola misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ritola swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel Iii uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ritola blocks a body shot from Steel Iii.
A short left from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii is trying to push Ritola away but Ritola has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ritola throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel Iii.
Ritola misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Ritola.
Ritola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ritola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steel Iii scores with a hook to the body.
Steel Iii blocks an uppercut.
Ritola misses with a punch on the inside.
Ritola swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Steel Iii.
Ritola misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ritola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel Iii's elbow.
Steel Iii gets through Ritola's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Steel Iii lands with a left to the head.
Ritola has a couple of punches blocked by Steel Iii.
A short uppercut from Steel Iii.
A short right from Steel Iii on the inside.
Ritola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The referee calls for Steel Iii to work.
Steel Iii misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steel Iii has Ritola pressed against the cage.
Steel Iii misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ritola swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel Iii pushes Ritola back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel Iii lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steel Iii lands with a left to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ritola being controlled against the cage.
Steel Iii lands a hook that snaps the head of Ritola backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steel Iii.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ritola.
Ritola avoids a wild elbow strike from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii slows down the pace here.
Ritola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ritola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steel Iii displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ritola up against the cage.
A short right from Steel Iii.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Steel Iii dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ritola throws a hook but Steel Iii avoids it easily.
Ritola tries a low kick but Steel Iii avoids it.
Ritola throws a leg kick but Steel Iii moved away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ritola.
Ritola dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel Iii misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ritola was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ritola takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Tommi Ritola has been cut.
Steel Iii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ritola only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ritola avoids the body shot from Steel Iii.
Ritola throws a lazy uppercut
and Steel Iii counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ritola with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Steel Iii to score with a decent uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ritola blocks a head kick by Steel Iii.
Ritola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Steel Iii.
Ritola connects with a leg kick.
A big left from Steel Iii misses.
Ritola connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel Iii throws a looping overhand right but Ritola ducks down to avoid it.
Steel Iii misses with a straight left.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ritola.
Ritola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steel Iii uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ritola has time to react.
Steel Iii slips under a jab from Ritola.
Ritola tries to bum rush Steel Iii with a series of wild strikes but Steel Iii uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ritola showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii looks to land a left hand but Ritola moved out of range nicely.
Steel Iii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Steel Iii is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ritola.
Steel Iii throws a shot from downtown. Ritola moves away and avoids it.
Steel Iii looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ritola looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ritola ducks under a wild hook from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii looks to land a left hand but Ritola moved out of range nicely.

Steel Iii gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ritola misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steel Iii is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Steel Iii makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steel Iii stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Steel Iii blocks an uppercut.
Steel Iii throws a head punch that misses.
Ritola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steel Iii lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steel Iii.
Steel Iii misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ritola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steel Iii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steel Iii blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steel Iii.
Ritola throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel Iii.
Steel Iii displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ritola up against the cage.
Steel Iii swings wildly with an uppercut but Ritola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ritola misses with some punches.
Steel Iii blocks an uppercut.

Steel Iii escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
An inside leg kick lands from Ritola.
Steel Iii takes one to the chin there.
Sloppy strikes from Ritola. Those never looked like landing.
A lazy left from Steel Iii finds it's target.
Steel Iii misses with a few strikes there.
Steel Iii throws a head kick that misses.
Tommi Ritola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ritola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Steel Iii wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Steel Iii misses with a hook. Ritola ducked under it nicely.
Steel Iii is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Steel Iii throws a sloppy head kick and Ritola moves out of range easily.
Ritola slips under a jab from Steel Iii.
Steel Iii looks to land a right hand but Ritola moved out of range.
A head kick by Steel Iii misses
and Ritola counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick by Steel Iii misses
and Ritola makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Steel Iii moves out of range of the leg kick from Ritola.
Steel Iii is looking for a counter combo.
Steel Iii chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ritola can pounce on him.
Ritola throws out a loose jab but Steel Iii uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ritola moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A jab from Steel Iii misses.
Steel Iii uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ritola has time to react.
Alex Steel Iii is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Steel Iii blocks a jab.
Ritola tried to score with a low kick but Steel Iii checks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alex Steel Iii.
Well Steel Iii 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

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