PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Zverev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JJ 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.

Zverev
vs
Steel

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sergei Zverev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, JJ Steel!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Steel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zverev avoids a punch combination nicely.

Zverev moves into the clinch.

Steel breaks the clinch.
Zverev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zverev lands with a straight right. Steel didn't see that one coming.
Steel misses with a wild combination.

Zverev rushes Steel and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Steel has had enough of the clinch but Zverev keeps him there for the moment.

Zverev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steel is looking to clinch.
Steel fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel tries to clinch there but Zverev circles away.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Steel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zverev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zverev throws a series of strikes that have Steel backpedaling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steel is looking to clinch but Zverev is avoiding it.
Steel looks to throw a body kick

and Zverev moves into the clinch.

Zverev manages to break the clinch.
Steel tries to bum rush Zverev with a series of wild strikes but Zverev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zverev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Zverev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Steel pinned against the cage. Steel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zverev lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Zverev tries to clinch up.

Zverev has Steel up against the cage in a clinch.

Steel breaks the clinch.
Steel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Zverev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Steel pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zverev back to the cage. Steel follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A combination from Zverev does no damage.
JJ Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zverev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
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!

Zverev instigates a clinch.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Zverev is controlling him.

Zverev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zverev misses with a wild combination.
Zverev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zverev is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel tries to clinch but Zverev is having none of it.
No joy there for Steel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Steel throws a nice looking combination but Zverev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sergei Zverev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel throws a right and a left that Zverev avoids nicely.

Steel closes the distance and clinches.

Steel manages to break the clinch.
Steel throws a leg kick but Zverev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Steel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zverev.
Zverev throws a right hand that Steel ducks under and follows up with a left that Steel also avoids with ease.
Steel slips a jab from Zverev.
Zverev scores with a three punch combo!
Steel scores with a nice right hand.
Zverev closes the distance and clinches up with Steel, looking for a takedown. Zverev pushes Steel against the cage but Steel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Zverev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel misses with a few strikes there.
Zverev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Steel digs a good body shot into Zverev's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Steel digs a good hook to Zverev's body.
Zverev blocks a leg kick.
Steel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zverev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Steel moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zverev connects with a nice looking jab.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zverev misses with a few strikes there.
Zverev shoots in for a double leg but Steel sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Steel throws a low kick, looking for Zverev's leg but Zverev calmly moves out of range.
Steel listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zverev throws a series of punches but Steel avoids them all with ease.
Steel wants to land a leg kick but Zverev is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zverev fails with a takedown attempt.
Steel moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Steel tests Zverev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left and a right from Zverev both land. Nice combination.
Steel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zverev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Steel clinches with his opponent.

Zverev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zverev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fight stays on the outside here - Steel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zverev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zverev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but JJ Steel will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Steel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zverev.
Zverev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steel's waist but Steel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zverev off to one side.
Zverev dodges the punch combination from Steel.
Zverev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A punch combination from Zverev misses.
Steel pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zverev is out of range and Steel settles back down.
Steel swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Steel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zverev keeps the fight on the outside.
Steel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steel leaves Zverev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zverev throws a series of punches but Steel moves out of range.
Zverev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zverev tries for a takedown but Steel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Zverev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zverev circles away quickly and effectively.
Steel throws a leg kick but Zverev sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zverev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A nice combination there by Steel.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Steel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Steel misses with a low kick.
Zverev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zverev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

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

Steel breaks the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Steel.

Zverev takes the fight into the clinch.

Zverev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sergei Zverev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zverev scores with a three punch combo!
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zverev lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A punch combination from Steel misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Steel tries to clinch there but Zverev circles away.
Zverev slips a jab and a cross from Steel.

Steel gets tackled into the cage by Zverev. Zverev maintains the clinch.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A punch combination from Zverev misses.
A punch combination from Zverev misses.
Steel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zverev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zverev closes the distance and clinches up with Steel, looking for a takedown. Zverev pushes Steel against the cage but Steel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A left lands for Steel.
Steel wants to clinch up but Zverev keeps it at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Zverev.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zverev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steel.
Zverev swats away the attempt to clinch by Steel.
Zverev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zverev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Steel.
Steel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Zverev.
Steel scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Steel is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zverev.
Steel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zverev's head backwards.
Sloppy strikes from Zverev. Those never looked like landing.
Zverev lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Zverev fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel throws a series of punches but Zverev avoids them all with ease.
Steel tries a low kick but Zverev avoids it.
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.
Zverev stalks Steel and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Steel's face. Steel staggers backwards, shaken.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zverev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Steel counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zverev tries to clinch but Steel is having none of it.
Zverev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Steel tries to clinch but Zverev is having none of it.
Steel stuffs the takedown attempt from Zverev. Zverev gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JJ Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Steel lands with a nice combination. Zverev backs away looking to recover.
Zverev misses with a two punch combination.
Zverev throws a series of punches but Steel moves out of range.
Zverev connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Zverev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steel jabs Zverev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zverev fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel throws a series of punches but Zverev moves out of range.
Steel tries to bum rush Zverev with a series of wild strikes but Zverev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Steel moves in looking to clinch but Zverev pushes him off.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zverev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Steel tries to avoid it but Zverev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Steel to the ground. Steel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Steel throws a right and a left that Zverev avoids nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zverev shoots for a double leg takedown but Steel sprawls well. He's pushed Zverev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Steel rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zverev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
JJ Steel seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel swats away the attempt to clinch by Zverev.
Steel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zverev.
Zverev connects with a good right hand that stumbles Steel. Steel circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zverev lands with a nice combination. Steel backs away looking to recover.
Zverev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Steel as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Zverev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Steel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Steel throws a series of punches but Zverev avoids them all with ease.
Sloppy strikes from Zverev. Those never looked like landing.
Some wild striking there from Zverev.
Steel stuffs the takedown.
Steel feints a jab promting Zverev to slip. Steel then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Zverev slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Zverev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel stuns Zverev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

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

Zverev stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Zverev does no damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Steel scores with a four punch combination!
Zverev shoots in for a takedown but Steel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zverev misses with a takedown attempt - Steel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Steel scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zverev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steel but Steel pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Steel throws a front kick aimed at Zverev's knee but Zverev avoids it well.
Steel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zverev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel throws a nice looking combination but Zverev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel tries to clinch but Zverev is having none of it.

Zverev has managed to clinch.
Zverev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Steel has had enough of the clinch but Zverev keeps him there for the moment.

Steel breaks from the clinch.

Zverev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Steel, pushing him back against the cage.

Zverev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steel tries to clinch up but Zverev circles away and keeps his distance.
Steel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steel dodges the punch combination from Zverev.
Steel fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zverev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Steel sprawls well. Steel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zverev gets slowly back to his feet.
Steel throws a combination. Zverev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zverev swinging wildly here.
Steel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some wild striking there from Zverev.
Steel misses with a low kick as Zverev jumps back.
Steel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zverev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zverev's head.
Horrible takedown by Zverev or perhaps it was just good defense by Steel which made him look bad.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steel is working the combinations to good effect here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zverev misses with a wild combination.

Steel darts in and clinches Zverev up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to JJ Steel.
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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight for JJ Steel!
Judge William Peck scores the fight for JJ Steel!
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight for JJ Steel!

JJ Steel wins by unanimous decision!