PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Norris Steinmayer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Hardcastle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Hardcastle will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Steinmayer
vs
Hardcastle

150 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Kitsura Clothing Ltd $8 Shorts and T-shirts

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Norris Steinmayer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Hardcastle!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardcastle moves out of range as Steinmayer throws a body kick.
Steinmayer looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Hardcastle shoots in for a double leg but Steinmayer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Hardcastle scores with a takedown into Steinmayer's guard.

Steinmayer is working an open guard so Hardcastle takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Hardcastle gets the takedown into side control.

Hardcastle decides to stand back up. Hardcastle steps back and let's Steinmayer get back to his feet.
Steinmayer scores with a kick to the body.
Steinmayer has his takedown stuffed

and Hardcastle decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Steinmayer's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hardcastle stands up from Steinmayer's guard - Hardcastle perhaps looking for a knockout.
Steinmayer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hardcastle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hardcastle chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Steinmayer can pounce on him.

Hardcastle shoots in and bounces Steinmayer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Steinmayer knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hardcastle on the ground.
Steinmayer wants to stand and escape but Hardcastle is having none of it.

Hardcastle stands up and waves to Steinmayer to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steinmayer throws a sloppy head kick and Hardcastle moves out of range easily.

Hardcastle gets a takedown into half guard.
Steinmayer trying to control but Hardcastle postures up.

Hardcastle stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Steinmayer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hardcastle closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hardcastle lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hardcastle gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Hardcastle scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hardcastle passes the guard and advances to mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hardcastle gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steinmayer stuffs the takedown.
Norris Steinmayer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Hardcastle.
Steinmayer looks to clinch

and Hardcastle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Steinmayer won't be happy with that.
Steinmayer might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Hardcastle decides to stand back up.

Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Hardcastle stands up from Steinmayer's guard - Hardcastle perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hardcastle stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Steinmayer.
Steinmayer lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Hardcastle drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Steinmayer throws a nice looking combination but Hardcastle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
No joy there for Steinmayer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Hardcastle drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hardcastle stands up from Steinmayer's guard - Hardcastle perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hardcastle changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Steinmayer tries to avoid it but Hardcastle manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Steinmayer to the ground. Steinmayer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Steinmayer stuffs the takedown attempt from Hardcastle. Hardcastle gets slowly back to his feet.

Hardcastle changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Steinmayer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardcastle decides to stand back up.
Steinmayer tries to clinch but Hardcastle moves away

and Hardcastle counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Steinmayer is rocked!

Hardcastle decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Oh Steinmayer is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Steinmayer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hardcastle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hardcastle.

Hardcastle stands up and we're back to a striking position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardcastle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Steinmayer seems to have got his legs back now.
Hardcastle is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Hardcastle gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Steinmayer throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Steinmayer throws a body kick the misses

and Hardcastle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Steinmayer won't be happy with that.

Hardcastle decides to stand back up. Hardcastle steps back and let's Steinmayer get back to his feet.
Steinmayer tries to land a front kick but Hardcastle steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Hardcastle looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hardcastle controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hardcastle decides to return to a standing position.

Hardcastle drives through with a takedown into guard.
Steinmayer wants to stand up but Hardcastle is controlling him.
Hardcastle pushing down on Steinmayer's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Hardcastle stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Hardcastle fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steinmayer stuffs the takedown.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head kick by Steinmayer misses

and Hardcastle decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Steinmayer's guard.

Hardcastle gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Steinmayer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hardcastle counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hardcastle.

Hardcastle gets to his feet. Steinmayer looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Steinmayer tries to bum rush Hardcastle with a series of wild strikes but Hardcastle uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Hardcastle dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Hardcastle decides to stand up.

Hardcastle changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Steinmayer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Hardcastle decides to stand back up. Hardcastle steps back and let's Steinmayer get back to his feet.

Hardcastle closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Steinmayer to the mat! Steinmayer manages to get full guard.
Steinmayer is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hardcastle is controlling him.

Hardcastle decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
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!
Steinmayer swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardcastle.
Steinmayer throws a head kick but Hardcastle moves out of range.
Steinmayer thows a body kick. Hardcastle tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Steinmayer jabs at Hardcastle's body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hardcastle looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Steinmayer!

Hardcastle get's back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardcastle closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Steinmayer to the mat! Steinmayer manages to get full guard.

Hardcastle gets to his feet. Steinmayer looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Steinmayer rushes Hardcastle and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Steinmayer manages to break the clinch.
Steinmayer moves in looking to clinch but Hardcastle pushes him off.
Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steinmayer but Steinmayer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hardcastle blocks a head kick by Steinmayer.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Steinmayer.
Steinmayer lands with a slapping head kick.
Hardcastle fails with the takedown.
Hardcastle avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hardcastle looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Norris Steinmayer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Hardcastle.
Hardcastle will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardcastle shoots in for a double leg but Steinmayer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No luck for Hardcastle with that takedown attempt.
Steinmayer looks to land a body kick but Hardcastle moved away.
Hardcastle has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardcastle scores with a jab. Steinmayer acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Steinmayer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Steinmayer with a poor takedown

and Hardcastle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Steinmayer won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hardcastle decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Hardcastle closes the distance and clinches up with Steinmayer, looking for a takedown. Hardcastle pushes Steinmayer against the cage but Steinmayer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Steinmayer looks to clinch

and Hardcastle counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hardcastle.

Hardcastle decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Steinmayer, up you get!
Hardcastle fails with the takedown.
Steinmayer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hardcastle counters with a shoot takedown. Steinmayer fights it but they end up in guard.

Hardcastle stands and steps away. Steinmayer gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Steinmayer fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hardcastle.
Steinmayer throws a head kick that misses

and Hardcastle counters with a takedown into side control.
Steinmayer is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Hardcastle decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Hardcastle shoots in looking for a takedown. Steinmayer tries to sprawl out of it but Hardcastle keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Steinmayer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Steinmayer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steinmayer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steinmayer throws a sloppy head kick and Hardcastle moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Steinmayer gets caught flat footed, as Hardcastle shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hardcastle slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Hardcastle stands up and beckons Steinmayer to his feet.
Steinmayer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hardcastle counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Steinmayer is trying to get back to full guard.

Steinmayer kicks Hardcastle off and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steinmayer throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Steinmayer.
Hardcastle doesn't manage to clinch there - Steinmayer circles away.
Steinmayer thows a body kick. Hardcastle tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Steinmayer throws a right hand that Hardcastle ducks under and follows up with a left that Hardcastle also avoids with ease.

Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hardcastle was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Hardcastle gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Steinmayer throws a right hand that Hardcastle ducks under and follows up with a left that Hardcastle also avoids with ease.

Hardcastle scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hardcastle stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steinmayer throws a nice looking combination but Hardcastle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hardcastle shoots for a double leg takedown but Steinmayer sprawls well. He's pushed Hardcastle's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Steinmayer looks to clinch

and Hardcastle counters by clinching up.
Hardcastle changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Steinmayer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Steinmayer lands with a nice body kick.
Hardcastle will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hardcastle fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Steinmayer sprawls well initially but Hardcastle persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Hardcastle escapes and gets back to his feet.
Steinmayer throws a lazy head kick

and Hardcastle counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Alexander Hardcastle has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hardcastle decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Steinmayer, up you get!
Steinmayer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steinmayer stuffs the takedown.
Steinmayer tries to clinch but Hardcastle is having none of it.
No joy there for Steinmayer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Norris Steinmayer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hardcastle feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Hardcastle stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Hardcastle shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hardcastle showed some decent athleticism there.

Hardcastle stands up and beckons Steinmayer to join him on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Hardcastle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Steinmayer tries to clinch

and Hardcastle counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Steinmayer lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Hardcastle prevents Steinmayer from standing back up.
Steinmayer tries to roll over but Hardcastle keeps him under control.

Hardcastle stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Steinmayer throws a combination that misses

and Hardcastle counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hardcastle decides to stand back up. Hardcastle steps back and let's Steinmayer get back to his feet.
Steinmayer buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Hardcastle darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Hardcastle stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Hardcastle closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Hardcastle decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hardcastle blocks a head kick by Steinmayer.
Steinmayer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hardcastle shoots for a takedown but Steinmayer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steinmayer throws a head kick that misses.

Hardcastle shoots in and bounces Steinmayer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Hardcastle gets to his feet - Steinmayer follows without any prompting.
No luck for Hardcastle with that takedown attempt.
Norris Steinmayer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Hardcastle.
Hardcastle misses with a takedown attempt - Steinmayer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Steinmayer gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hardcastle.

Steinmayer successfully pulls guard.

Hardcastle decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Steinmayer throws a nice looking combination but Hardcastle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hardcastle takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown but Steinmayer shows good takedown defense.
Steinmayer lands a nice looking body kick.

Hardcastle bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Hardcastle stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horrible takedown by Hardcastle or perhaps it was just good defense by Steinmayer which made him look bad.
Horrible takedown by Hardcastle or perhaps it was just good defense by Steinmayer which made him look bad.
Nice takedown defense from Steinmayer. No joy for Hardcastle on that attempt.

Steinmayer drives through and clinches with Hardcastle against the cage.
Hardcastle tries to score a body lock takedown but Steinmayer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Steinmayer breaks from the clinch.
Hardcastle changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Steinmayer tries to avoid it but Hardcastle manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Steinmayer to the ground. Steinmayer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Hardcastle feints and as Steinmayer raises his hands in defense, Hardcastle changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hardcastle gets to his feet - Steinmayer follows without any prompting.
Hardcastle steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Steinmayer. That one must have hurt.
Steinmayer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hardcastle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Steinmayer won't be happy with that.

Hardcastle stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Hardcastle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steinmayer.
A lazy body kick from Steinmayer

and Hardcastle counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Steinmayer looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steinmayer is looking for a sweep. Hardcastle is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hardcastle stands up out of the half guard.
A head kick by Steinmayer misses

so Hardcastle counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hardcastle stands up from Steinmayer's guard - Hardcastle perhaps looking for a knockout.
Steinmayer shoots in for a takedown but Hardcastle shows good takedown defense.
Hardcastle has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Steinmayer.
Hardcastle shoots for a takedown but Steinmayer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hardcastle misses with a takedown attempt - Steinmayer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Steinmayer throws a head kick but Hardcastle moves out of range.
Steinmayer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Hardcastle fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Steinmayer sprawls well initially but Hardcastle persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Steinmayer has one foot on Hardcastle's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Hardcastle decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like Hardcastle is going to stand back up.

Hardcastle decides to stand up.
Steinmayer misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hardcastle lands the left hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hardcastle.

Hardcastle decides to stand back up. Hardcastle steps back and let's Steinmayer get back to his feet.
Steinmayer lands with a nice body kick.
Hardcastle fails with a takedown attempt.
Steinmayer scoring well with a low kick there.
A combination from Steinmayer does no damage.
Hardcastle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steinmayer manages to avoid it.
Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Steinmayer as he jumps to the side.
Steinmayer cracks the inside of Hardcastle's front leg.
Steinmayer stuffs the takedown attempt from Hardcastle. Hardcastle gets slowly back to his feet.
Norris Steinmayer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A combination from Hardcastle does no damage.
No joy there for Steinmayer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hardcastle shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Steinmayer as he avoids it easily.
Hardcastle will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hardcastle shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Steinmayer's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Hardcastle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hardcastle 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Hardcastle!