PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Hathaway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hathaway
vs
Steel

188 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, John Hathaway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Luke Steel!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel lands a body shot.
Horrible takedown by Hathaway or perhaps it was just good defense by Steel which made him look bad.
Steel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hathaway.

Hathaway decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Steel is looking to escape.

Hathaway looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hathaway is breathing heavily.
Steel pushes Hathaway off looking to stand but Hathaway dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hathaway is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Steel defends it well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hathaway takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Steel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Hathaway. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel with a hook.
John Hathaway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Steel lands a big head kick that sends Hathaway tumbling to the mat! Steel takes a step backwards and waves Hathaway back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Hathaway is rocked!

It looks like John Hathaway has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Steel has Hathaway up against the cage in a clinch.
Oh Hathaway is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Steel tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hathaway seems to have got his legs back now.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Steel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hathaway lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Steel lands an elbow just above Hathaway 's eye.
Steel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Steel holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Steel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Knees to the body from Steel.

Steel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Steel instigates a clinch.
A short right from Steel on the inside.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steel thumps Hathaway with a low kick.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steel's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Steel duly obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.

Steel closes the distance and pushes Hathaway back into the cage.

Steel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hathaway slips a jab and a cross from Steel.

Steel rushes Hathaway and presses him up against the cage.
Hathaway jumps guard but Steel stands there with Hathaway around his waist. Hathaway gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Steel lands a hook that snaps the head of Hathaway backwards.
Steel stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Steel manages to break the clinch.
Hathaway shoots for a double leg takedown but Steel sprawls well. He's pushed Hathaway's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Steel darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steel has taken the fight to the clinch.
Steel gets underhooks to prevent Hathaway's takedown attempt.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Steel.

Steel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Steel moves into the clinch.
Hathaway's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Steel as Hathaway tries to tie him up.
Steel scores with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steel gets through Hathaway's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Steel breaks from the clinch.

Steel closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Steel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Hathaway's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Hathaway.
Steel lands a head kick. Hathaway smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hathaway circles away quickly and effectively.
A right-left combo lands from Steel.
Steel scores with a three punch combo!
Hathaway takes one to the chin there.
Steel throws a sloppy head kick and Hathaway moves out of range easily.
Horrible takedown by Hathaway or perhaps it was just good defense by Steel which made him look bad.
Steel connects with a looping right hand.
John Hathaway is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Steel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hathaway tries to break the clinch but Steel is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Steel moves into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Steel.

Steel breaks from the clinch.
Steel scores with a jab to the jaw.
Steel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good leg kick by Steel there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A head kick from Steel lands but Hathaway takes it in his stride.
Steel misses with a head kick.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hathaway looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Steel is fending him off so far but Hathaway persists. Nope, Steel circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Hathaway. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hathaway shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Steel sprawls well. Steel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hathaway gets slowly back to his feet.

Hathaway tries to keep at a distance but Steel has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Steel connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hathaway's face.
Hathaway with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short uppercut from Steel.

Steel manages to break the clinch.

Steel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Steel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Steel.
Steel misses with a head kick.
A slow jab from Steel misses its intended target.
Hathaway shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Steel defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Steel clinches up against the cage.
Steel utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Steel lands an uppercut.
Steel content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Steel slowing the pace effectively.
Hathaway has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Steel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Steel digs a right hand into Hathaway's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hathaway's gas tank.
Hathaway tries to pull guard but Steel holds him up against the cage and eventually Hathaway drops back down to his feet.
Hathaway tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Steel just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Steel scores with a shoulder strike.
Steel pushes Hathaway back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Steel manages to break the clinch.
Luke Steel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hathaway avoids a punch combination nicely.
Steel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hathaway.
Steel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Steel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hathaway misses with a kick to the body.
Steel throws a one two combo.
Hathaway shoots in but Steel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Steel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Hathaway's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Steel looks to land a combination but Hathaway avoids it well.
Steel doesn't manage to clinch there - Hathaway circles away.

Steel rushes Hathaway and presses him up against the cage.
Steel landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Steel gets underhooks to prevent Hathaway's takedown attempt.

Hathaway pulls guard.
Steel tries to stand but Hathaway is controlling from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hathaway manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Steel manages to get himself to full guard.

Hathaway stands up from Steel's guard - Hathaway perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hathaway backs up against the cage.
Hathaway misses with a takedown attempt - Steel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hathaway dives in and grabs Steel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Steel pushes down on Hathaway's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Hathaway. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Steel lands a knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Steel as the two fighters clinch.

Steel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hathaway shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Steel sprawls well. Steel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hathaway gets slowly back to his feet.
Luke Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.
Steel lands a jab-cross combination.
Hathaway looks for a takedown but Steel sprawls well.
Hathaway fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hathaway closes this distance looking for a takedown but Steel circles away.

Steel has Hathaway up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hathaway tries to pull guard but Steel holds him up against the cage and eventually Hathaway drops back down to his feet.
A body shot lands from Steel.
Steel lands a left hand.
A short body shot lands from Steel as the two fighters clinch.
Luke Steel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hathaway fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Steel breaks from the clinch.
Steel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hathaway takes a kick to the side of the head.
Steel listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A lazy left from Steel finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A punch combination from Steel misses.
Steel lands an overhand right.
Hathaway steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Steel. That one must have hurt.
Steel throws a head kick that half lands.
Steel stuffs the takedown attempt from Hathaway. Hathaway gets slowly back to his feet.
Steel scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Steel forces Hathaway back against the cage and clinches.
Steel lands an uppercut.
Steel lands an elbow inside that Hathaway shrugs off.

Steel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
John Hathaway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steel lands a slapping body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Steel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Steel 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 26:30

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