PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Steiner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tim Thomas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Steiner
vs
Thomas

175 cm
22
213 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
210 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Silver Dragon Pharmacies
Rivers Edge Nutrition

Nemesis Cage Clothing
Nemesis Cage Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Steiner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of New York, Tim Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Joseph Jones and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Steiner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tim Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Steiner.
An inside leg kick lands from Thomas.
Thomas connects with a body shot.
Steiner is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Thomas drops his shoulder and cracks Steiner with a huge uppercut! Steiner goes down! Can Thomas finish him?

It looks like Mark Steiner has been cut.
Steiner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Steiner tries to get out of the position.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Steiner is keeping the position.
Thomas chips away with some ground and pound.
Thomas stands and throws Steiner's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Steiner is not content to let Thomas control the position.

Thomas thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thomas is looking to take a break and control but Steiner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Steiner is trying to improve his position.
Steiner takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Thomas wants to control but Steiner is keeping him busy.
Steiner tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thomas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas working the head with strikes.
Thomas postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
You can see the frustration on Steiner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Steiner takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Steiner is not content to let Thomas control the position.
Thomas cracks Steiner with a big elbow.
Steiner is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Thomas trying to control the action but Steiner is working from the bottom.
Steiner defending against the ground and pound.
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steiner keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steiner parries the strikes from Thomas easily there. Thomas is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Steiner to escape.
Steiner struggling a bit here.
Thomas trying to control the action but Steiner is working from the bottom.
Steiner wants to control but Thomas postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Steiner tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.

Steiner feints and as Thomas raises his hands in defense, Steiner changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Steiner postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Steiner wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.
Steiner postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steiner won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Thomas pulls Steiner in close to prevent any damage.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet but Steiner is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Steiner won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Steiner is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas has wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Thomas decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Steiner gets full guard.
Thomas is looking to work some ground and pound but Steiner has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas forces his way into half guard.
Thomas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Thomas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Steiner's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Steiner shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Steiner defending well as Thomas loads up on a big left hand.

Steiner darts in and clinches Thomas up against the cage.
Thomas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Steiner.

Thomas wants the takedown. Steiner is fighting it off but Thomas persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Steiner's guard against the cage.
Steiner trying to keep a closed guard but Thomas is proving a slippery customer.
Steiner wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.
Steiner preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thomas throws and elbow that misses. Steiner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Thomas's guard. Nice move by Steiner!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steiner with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thomas pulls Steiner in to control the position.
Steiner trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steiner is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Thomas is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Steiner is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas has wrist control.
Steiner trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thomas holds on and takes a little breather.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Thomas punching from mount but Steiner doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Steiner wants to control but Thomas is having none of it.
Steiner regains half guard.
Steiner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thomas.
Steiner is staying active underneath Thomas, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thomas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are battling for position here. Steiner manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Steiner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thomas preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Steiner is keeping the position.
Thomas throws a strike but Steiner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Steiner postures up.
Thomas might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Steiner kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Steiner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Steiner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thomas moves out of range as Steiner strikes.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steiner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steiner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.
Steiner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steiner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thomas misses with a hook. Steiner ducked under it nicely.
Steiner takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Steiner moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.
Thomas lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Steiner avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thomas tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Steiner is looking to clinch.
Steiner stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Thomas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tim Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mark Steiner's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thomas throws a hook to the side of Steiner's head but Steiner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Steiner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Steiner on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Thomas attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Steiner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Thomas is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steiner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Steiner.
Thomas manages to work his way to half guard, despite Steiner's best efforts.
Thomas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thomas wants to improve his position but Steiner is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steiner is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Thomas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Thomas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Steiner trying to control from half guard but Thomas is working away.
Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Steiner is working away from the top position though.
Thomas is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Steiner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Thomas won't allow Steiner to pass to mount.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Steiner lands a nice short elbow.
Thomas is controlling Steiner's trapped leg to prevent Steiner from advancing to side control.
Steiner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thomas manages to get to full guard.
Steiner might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Thomas looking to control.
Steiner passes Thomas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Steiner looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thomas works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steiner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Steiner throws a strike but Thomas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Steiner has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Steiner holds on and takes a little breather.
Thomas thows a big elbow that misses.
Steiner looking for a sweep. Not yet Steiner, not yet.
Thomas passes into half guard.
Steiner is looking to control Thomas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Steiner avoid being mounted?
Thomas not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Steiner is trying to get back to full guard.
Steiner is looking to control Thomas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Steiner avoid being mounted?

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thomas throws a leg kick but Steiner moved away.
Steiner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thomas.

Thomas scores a takedown into full mount!
Steiner keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thomas raining down shots from the mount!
Thomas blocks Steiner's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Tim Thomas just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Mark Steiner's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Steiner wants to clinch.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
Steiner on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Thomas misses with a straight right.
A slapping leg kick lands for Thomas.
Thomas throws out a loose jab but Steiner uses good head movement to avoid it.

Steiner pushes Thomas up against the cage in a clinch.
Thomas is trying to break the clinch but Steiner is controlling him.
Steiner lands a body shot.
Steiner lands a right hand.
Steiner works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Thomas is trying to break the clinch but Steiner is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steiner cracks Thomas with a nice body shot.
Thomas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Steiner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thomas is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Thomas looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Steiner lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Steiner is trying to control the action in half guard but Thomas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Steiner wants to pass the guard but Thomas is defending well.
Thomas is trying to control but can't.
Steiner not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Steiner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Thomas trying to control here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Steiner wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thomas works over Steiner's head and body with a nice combination.
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Steiner shoots in but Thomas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thomas lands a jab to the nose.
Steiner throws out a loose jab but Thomas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steiner walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Thomas lands with a straight right. Steiner didn't see that one coming.

Thomas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Steiner keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.
Thomas is looking to work some ground and pound but Steiner has wrist control.
Thomas throwing strikes from guard but Steiner blocks nicely.
Steiner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thomas's guard.
Steiner throws a big right hand that misses.
Thomas wants to sweep here but Steiner controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas trying to keep a closed guard but Steiner is proving a slippery customer.
Steiner works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Steiner is working for a submission of some sort.
Thomas tries to roll over but Steiner keeps him under control.
Thomas is staying active underneath Steiner, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tim Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mark Steiner's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Steiner moves out of range of the strikes.
Thomas throws a hook but Steiner avoids it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Thomas.
Steiner fails with the takedown
and Thomas counters with a stiff right hand.
Thomas lands with a nice combination. Steiner backs away looking to recover.
Steiner wants to clinch.
Donk. Thomas catches Steiner right on the button with a cross.
Steiner on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Steiner throws a head kick that misses.
Steiner on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Thomas working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Thomas scores with a couple of short elbows.
Thomas cracks Steiner with a big elbow.
Thomas in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Thomas tries to score with some ground and pound. Steiner controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Steiner is looking for a sweep.
Thomas cracks Steiner with a big right hand but Steiner just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Steiner struggling a bit here.
Thomas working the ground and pound.
Thomas tries to advance to mount but Steiner denies him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Steiner sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Thomas trying to control the action but Steiner is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thomas throws an overhand right that lands on Steiner's shoulder, as Steiner tries to avoid the shot.
Thomas scores with the left hand. Steiner knows he should have avoided that one.
Steiner moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.
Steiner looks to clinch
letting Thomas counter with a right hand.
Steiner wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
Tim Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas throws a body punch but Steiner moves out of range.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Steiner napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas trying to control the action but Steiner is working from the bottom.
Steiner tries to bench press Thomas off him but Thomas keeps the position.
Steiner regains half guard there - taking advantage of Thomas's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Thomas content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Steiner misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Steiner is staying active underneath Thomas, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Steiner trying to control from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thomas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Steiner darts in trying to clinch
letting Thomas counter with a right hand.
Mark Steiner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Steiner throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas connects with a body shot.
Steiner gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Steiner swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Steiner throws a chopping leg kick but Thomas manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thomas 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 44:50
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 44:50
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Thomas!
Tim Thomas is the new light heavyweight champion!