PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jermaine Gersham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gersham comes into the arena with Scorpions - Rock you like a hurricane blaring out of the sound system. Max Steel acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Gersham
vs
Steel

187 cm
19
212 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jermaine Gersham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Steel!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Gersham.
Gersham thumps Steel with a low kick.
Steel lands with a nice body punch.
Gersham tries to close the distance and clinch but Steel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Both fighters circling a little - Gersham finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Steel looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gersham scores with a hook to the body. Steel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Gersham clinches.
A knee to the head by Gersham.

It looks like Max Steel has been cut.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Gersham.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gersham obliges.
Gersham lands a nice knee to the body.
Gersham unloads a knee to the mid-section. Steel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Steel's face.
Gersham leaning against his opponent.
Gersham landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Steel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gersham leaning his opponent against the cage.
Gersham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Steel's face.
Gersham content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gersham connects with a knee to the head.
Gersham is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gersham misses with a knee strike.
Gersham crunches a lovely knee into Steel's ribcage.
Steel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gersham lands a damaging elbow.
Steel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Steel working hard to break the clinch.
Gersham lands an elbow inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Steel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gersham throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steel blocks it with crossed arms.
Gersham with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Steel.
Gersham lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Steel avoids it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gersham throws an elbow but misses.
A right hand to the body from Steel.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Gersham is controlling him.
Steel lands a body shot.
Steel looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gersham as Steel tries to tie him up.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gersham misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Steel.
Steel will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gersham up against the cage.
Gersham stalling.
A body shot lands from Steel.
Steel avoiding damage as Gersham throws knees to the body.
Gersham pushes off an throws an elbow but Steel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gersham misses with a knee to the head.
Steel looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steel stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Steel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gersham.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Steel as the two fighters clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Steel's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Steel as the two fighters clinch.
Steel is trying to force a seperation but Gersham has the dominant position.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but Steel blocks with his arms.
Steel stalling against the cage.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but Steel blocks with his arms.
Steel presses Gersham against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gersham misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Steel.
A short right from Steel.
A left hand lands to the body for Steel.
Steel stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Steel lands a body punch.
Steel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Steel lands a body punch in the clinch.
Steel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short body shot lands from Steel as the two fighters clinch.
Steel tries to circle away but Gersham has him pinned against the cage.
Steel is trying to break free.
Steel stalling the fight.
Gersham using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Steel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Steel - that landed with a thud.
Gersham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Steel gets through Gersham's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gersham content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Steel is looking to break free of the clinch but Gersham has double underhooks.
Gersham lands an elbow inside that Steel shrugs off.
Gersham throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gersham throws a knee to the head but misses.
Steel cracks Gersham with a nice body shot.
Steel looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Gersham is controlling him.
Gersham keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Steel's efforts to push away.
Steel lands a body shot in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steel lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gersham or not.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Steel tries to circle away but Gersham has him pinned against the cage.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gersham tries to land knees in the clinch but Steel avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Gersham dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Max Steel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gersham takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Steel fails to land with a series of punches.
Gersham avoids a punch combination nicely.
Steel throws a good cross that connects.
Gersham throws a solid leg kick but Steel takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gersham.
Gersham looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Steel misses with a jab to the body
and Gersham counters with a leg kick.
Jermaine Gersham is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Gersham. Steel shrugs it off though.
Gersham needs to keep his hands up - Steel had a free shot at his head there.
Gersham ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
Steel jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A head kick misses from Gersham.
Steel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gersham was well out of range. Poor timing from Steel.
Gersham throws a head kick but Steel moves out of range.
Gersham takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gersham 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.
Gersham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steel.
Steel lands a slapping body shot.
Steel works over Gersham's head and body with a nice combination.
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!
Gersham wants to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Steel.
Steel lands a body shot.
Steel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel lands a jab to Gersham's midsection.
Steel lands with a good body shot.
Steel is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Steel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Steel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel scores with a shot to the body.
Steel with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Steel lands with a shot to the body.
Gersham takes a jab right on the kisser.
Steel lands with an uppercut that bounces Gersham off the cage and back into rage.
Steel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gersham stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steel wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nice body punch from Steel.
Gersham takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gersham misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Steel connects with a nice looking jab.
Gersham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steel.
Steel dodges the punch combination from Gersham.
Steel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gersham stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Steel throws a combination. Gersham tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Jermaine Gersham has been cut.
Gersham has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Steel throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gersham throws the kick towards the body but Steel avoids it.
Steel throws a shot to the body.
Steel uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Steel with a hook.
Steel catches Gersham with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Steel is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gersham rather than just go for the knockout.
Steel thuds a left hand into Gersham's body.
A combination from Steel does no damage.
Gersham has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Good shot there by Steel.
Steel lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel thows a body shot but no joy.
Gersham looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gersham lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gersham lands with a slapping head kick.
Steel stalks Gersham and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gersham's face. Gersham staggers backwards, shaken.
Steel avoids the head kick by Gersham.
Gersham misses with a head kick.
Steel lands a lovely overhand right.
Gersham closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Steel lands a right hook to the body.
Steel lands a nice looking body shot.
Gersham throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Steel digs a good body shot into Gersham's ribs.
Gersham on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Steel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Steel lands with a good body shot.
Steel lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gersham at a distance.
Max Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gersham takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gersham throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands a nice looking body shot.
Steel scores with a nice strike.
Gersham on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Steel goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Steel scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gersham in his tracks.
A jab lands there for Steel.
Gersham misses with a leg kick.
Max Steel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gersham throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steel digs a good hook to Gersham's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steel misses with a two punch combination.
Steel digs a good hook to Gersham's body.
Steel misses with a double jab.
Gersham throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gersham misses with the combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steel scores with a jab to the head.
Gersham lands a nice looking body kick.
Steel connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gersham moves into the clinch successfully.
Gersham working Steel over with knees to the body.
Gersham looking to throw knees to the head but Steel is blocking nicely.
Steel dodges an elbow strike from Gersham.
Gersham using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gersham prevents a body shot from Steel.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Steel wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gersham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gersham scores with a knee to the head.
Steel looking to slow down the pace here.
Steel managing to block the knees to the body from Gersham.
Gersham looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Steel avoiding damage as Gersham throws knees to the body.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Gersham is controlling him.
Gersham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steel is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Steel makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Steel lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gersham or not.
Gersham misses with a knee strike.
Steel scores with a shoulder strike.
Gersham tries to land a knee to the head but Steel blocks with his arms.
Steel tries to circle away but Gersham has him pinned against the cage.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gersham fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Steel checks it well.
Steel connects with the punch.
A clash of legs there as Steel blocks the low kick.
Steel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Steel lands the left hand.
Steel tests Gersham's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Steel scores with a sloppy right hand. Gersham should have avoided that one.
Gersham motions for Steel to come forward. Gersham throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Steel connects with a right hand. Gersham shakes it off.
Gersham on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Steel lands a nice hook to Gersham's body. Gersham takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Steel lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice jab there from Steel.
Steel avoids the head kick by Gersham.
Gersham misses with a series of wild punches.
Gersham on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Steel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel lands an overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gersham tries to work over Steel's front leg with a kick but Steel checks it.
Gersham lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Steel scores with a body shot.
Good shot there by Steel.
Steel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Steel scores with a jab to the body.
Jab from Steel.
Steel lands a glancing blow to the side of Gersham's head.
Steel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gersham takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel moves out of range as Gersham strikes.
Gersham takes one to the chin there.
Gersham throws a head kick that misses.
Steel scores with a jab to the body.
A jab lands there for Steel.
Steel with a hook.
Jab, jab by Steel - just one landing.
Steel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Steel connects with a single shot there.
Steel fails to land with a series of punches.
Gersham looks to land a body kick but Steel moved away.
Gersham connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Steel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Steel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gersham tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steel works Gersham's body with a nice hook.
Gersham doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steel thuds a left hand into Gersham's body.
Steel scores with a decent looking hook.
Steel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters circling a little - Gersham finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Steel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gersham pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gersham fails in his attempt to clinch.
Steel lands the left hand.
Gersham pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steel lands a jab to Gersham's midsection.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gersham on the side of the head.
Gersham throws a sloppy head kick and Steel moves out of range easily.
Good exchange - Steel coming out on top.
Gersham looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gersham looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Steel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Steel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

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