PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jose De Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Steptoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steptoe is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: .. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

De Souza
vs
Steptoe

169 cm
29
157 lbs
6 - 11 - 0

170 cm
27
158 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Jose De Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Albert Steptoe!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Souza doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Steptoe counter with a right hand.

Steptoe shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Steptoe would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Steptoe stops De Souza from standing up.
Steptoe is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jose De Souza just wasn't active enough.

Steptoe manages to get an easy takedown there - catching De Souza on his heels. He'll look to pass De Souza's guard now, I'm sure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steptoe throws a big elbow that misses.
Steptoe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Steptoe wants to control from the top but De Souza keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Albert Steptoe hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Steptoe shoots in and gets a takedown into De Souza's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steptoe wants to control from the top but De Souza keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Steptoe looking to pass the guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Albert Steptoe wasn't active enough on the ground.

Steptoe drives through with a takedown into guard.
Steptoe content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Albert Steptoe wasn't active enough on the ground.
Steptoe moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
De Souza fails with the takedown
and Steptoe counters with a stiff right hand.
Steptoe lands a head shot.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose De Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steptoe tries to score a power double leg takedown but De Souza sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Steptoe somewhat.
Steptoe throws a combination. De Souza tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steptoe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by De Souza.

Steptoe is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in De Souza's half guard.
Steptoe trying to mount his opponent but De Souza defends it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Steptoe is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. De Souza doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Steptoe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Steptoe dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Steptoe is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in De Souza's half guard.
Steptoe is trying to control. De Souza wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
De Souza keeping control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Albert Steptoe hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nice takedown defense from Steptoe. No joy for De Souza on that attempt.
Steptoe looks for a takedown but De Souza sprawls well.
De Souza misses with a takedown attempt
and Steptoe counters with a straight right hand.
De Souza with a poor takedown
and Steptoe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose De Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Souza slaps away a takedown attempt from Steptoe, before circling back to the center of the mat.
De Souza gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Steptoe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steptoe shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Steptoe looking to control but De Souza is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
De Souza wants to control but Steptoe is having none of it.

Steptoe is working for a guillotine from mount but De Souza frees his head quite easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Steptoe is landing with some decent strikes but De Souza is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Souza tries to lock up and control but Steptoe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steptoe looking to control but De Souza is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Steptoe stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steptoe misses with a wild combination.
Steptoe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around De Souza's waist but De Souza gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Steptoe off to one side.
De Souza fails to land the takedown.
Steptoe scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Steptoe thuds a left hand into De Souza's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Steptoe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

De Souza shoots in for a takedown but Steptoe shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Steptoe with that takedown attempt.

Steptoe manages to get an easy takedown there - catching De Souza on his heels. He'll look to pass De Souza's guard now, I'm sure.
Steptoe preventing the sweep.
Steptoe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Steptoe controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Jose De Souza wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
De Souza shoots for a takedown but Steptoe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Souza tries for a takedown but Steptoe circles away easily

and Steptoe decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in De Souza's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose De Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steptoe controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Albert Steptoe wasn't active enough on the ground.
Steptoe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
De Souza misses with a takedown

and Steptoe decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in De Souza's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steptoe wants to pass the guard but De Souza is keeping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steptoe pushing down on De Souza's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
De Souza trying to get back to full guard but Steptoe takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Steptoe controlling the pace for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steptoe's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Albert Steptoe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Steptoe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

And that's the end of the fight!
Albert Steptoe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Steptoe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Albert Steptoe!