PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cris McGray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cris McGray has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Steamboat
vs
McGray

181 cm
25
181 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
24
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ricky Steamboat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cris McGray!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGray shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Steamboat as he jumps to the side.
Steamboat shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McGray pinned against the cage. McGray gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McGray darts in trying to clinch

and Steamboat counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in McGray's guard now.
McGray keeping full guard, as Steamboat tries to pass.
Steamboat tries to stand but McGray is controlling from the bottom.
Steamboat stays in close to McGray's body and controls the position.
McGray keeping moving, preventing Steamboat from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Steamboat stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGray shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Steamboat counters with a single leg into guard. McGray didn't expect that.
Steamboat preventing the sweep.
McGray trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
McGray manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Steamboat manages to get himself to full guard.
Steamboat is pulling down on McGray's head. It's preventing any offense from McGray, at least for the moment.
Steamboat is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGray trying to control the position from guard on top but Steamboat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGray stopping the sweep attempt from Steamboat.
Steamboat working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McGray.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGray pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Steamboat is keeping the position for now.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
McGray trying to control but Steamboat is working from the bottom.
Steamboat is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

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

Steamboat shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Steamboat throwing strikes here but McGray is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Steamboat tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
McGray is controlling an arm, preventing Steamboat from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
McGray throwing hammer fists to the chest of Steamboat. What's that going to do exactly?
Steamboat wants to control the pace but McGray is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McGray shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steamboat but Steamboat pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McGray scores with a hook to the body. Steamboat takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Steamboat will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McGray darts in trying to clinch

and Steamboat counters with a takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steamboat blocks the strikes from McGray.
McGray is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Steamboat off and has taken his back!
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!

Steamboat is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if McGray gets his way!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - McGray's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Even with his hooks in, McGray manages to miss with strikes from the back.
McGray throws a series of strikes and Steamboat wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McGray wants to control the pace but Steamboat is squirming around nicely.

McGray is working for a guillotine from mount but Steamboat frees his head quite easily.
McGray thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat tries to hold on but McGray pushes him away.
Steamboat tries to reverse the position but McGray maintains control.
McGray tries to control but Steamboat wriggling away.
McGray throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
McGray is stalling here but it's allowed Steamboat to get half guard.
McGray works his way into side control.

McGray tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
McGray wants to control but Steamboat is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cris McGray will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

McGray slaps away a takedown attempt from Steamboat, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McGray fails in his attempt to clinch.
Steamboat misses with a takedown attempt - McGray sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Steamboat shoots in for a double leg but McGray sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Steamboat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGray misses with a takedown attempt
and Steamboat counters with an inside leg kick.
Ricky Steamboat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steamboat misses with a takedown attempt - McGray sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGray tries to score a power double leg takedown but Steamboat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGray somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGray with a poor takedown

and Steamboat counters with a nice double leg into side control. McGray won't be happy with that.
McGray is looking for a sweep.
McGray manages to get back to half guard.
McGray throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Steamboat blocks the strikes from McGray.
McGray won't allow Steamboat to pass to mount.
McGray misses with some strikes from the bottom.
McGray is looking for a sweep. Steamboat is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Steamboat blocks the strikes from McGray.

Steamboat stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows McGray to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGray closes this distance looking for a takedown but Steamboat circles away.

Steamboat clinches up against the cage.
Steamboat blocking some punches.
Steamboat working aggressively here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Steamboat has McGray pushed against the cage.

Steamboat has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McGray regains guard immediately.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steamboat stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGray swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGray will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
McGray thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Steamboat preventing the sweep.
McGray doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Steamboat controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Ricky Steamboat wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McGray tries to bum rush Steamboat with a series of wild strikes but Steamboat uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McGray avoids a kick to the body.
Steamboat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McGray as he jumps to the side.
Steamboat misses with a leg kick
and Steamboat takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGray doesn't manage to clinch there - Steamboat circles away.
McGray tries for a takedown but Steamboat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Steamboat has a takedown stuffed.
Steamboat misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
McGray tries to clinch up but Steamboat circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Steamboat showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Steamboat has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Steamboat!