PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josiah Mudzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Steiner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steiner has chosen Steiner as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mudzuri
vs
Steiner

180 cm
26
194 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

177 cm
27
198 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Atlantis

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Josiah Mudzuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ricky Steiner!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mudzuri throws a predictable looking body shot

and Steiner holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mudzuri.
Steiner has a couple of punches blocked by Mudzuri.
A right hand to the body from Steiner.
Steiner struggles to land a body shot inside as Mudzuri controls his hands.
Mudzuri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mudzuri avoiding damage as Steiner throws knees to the body.
Mudzuri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steiner has a couple of punches blocked by Mudzuri.
Mudzuri misses with a hook from the clinch.

Steiner lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Steiner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mudzuri does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mudzuri is looking for a sweep. Steiner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Steiner is taking a breather. Mudzuri says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steiner lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mudzuri manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mudzuri keeping moving, preventing Steiner from controlling successfully.
Mudzuri has momentary wrist control but Steiner slips an elbow through the middle.
Steiner trying to control the position from guard on top but Mudzuri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mudzuri utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Steiner looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mudzuri keeping moving, preventing Steiner from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ricky Steiner hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Mudzuri swats away the attempt to clinch by Steiner.
Mudzuri throws a hook but Steiner avoids it easily.
Steiner is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Steiner wants to clinch up but Mudzuri keeps it at a distance.
Mudzuri throws a right and a left that Steiner avoids nicely.

Steiner shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Steiner showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mudzuri is not content to let Steiner control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steiner is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Steiner is trying to control the action in half guard but Mudzuri is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Steiner connects with a nice short shot to Mudzuri's temple.
Mudzuri is pressing down on Steiner's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Steiner with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Steiner trying to control the position from guard on top but Mudzuri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steiner throws a big elbow that misses.
Steiner trying to control but Mudzuri is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mudzuri seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ricky Steiner hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Steiner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mudzuri misses with a body shot.
Mudzuri tests Steiner's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mudzuri tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steiner was well out of range. Poor timing from Mudzuri.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steiner tries to clinch there but Mudzuri circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steiner dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mudzuri fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Steiner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mudzuri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mudzuri has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mudzuri throws a body punch but Steiner moves out of range.

Steiner drives through with a takedown into Mudzuri's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Steiner has gone for a leg lock! Mudzuri slips out almost immediately though and dives into Steiner's guard.
Steiner wants to stand up but Mudzuri is controlling him.
Mudzuri is looking to pass into half guard but Steiner pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Steiner is in guard.
Ricky Steiner has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steiner postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Steiner works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Steiner is trying to control. Mudzuri wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mudzuri tries to roll over but Steiner keeps him under control.
Steiner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mudzuri wants to improve his position but Steiner is controlling well.
Steiner seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steiner is trying to control the action in half guard but Mudzuri is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mudzuri wants to get back to full guard.
Mudzuri wants to control but Steiner is keeping busy.
Steiner is nestled in close to Mudzuri, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Still in half guard, Steiner seems content to control.
Steiner wants to pass to mount but Mudzuri is defending the position.
Mudzuri is trying to get back to full guard.
Steiner drops an elbow to the side of Mudzuri's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mudzuri keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Steiner takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Steiner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Steiner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mudzuri keeps working.
Mudzuri gets full guard.
Steiner stopping the sweep attempt from Mudzuri.
Steiner postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Steiner postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Steiner postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Steiner throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steiner trying to control the position from guard on top but Mudzuri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steiner postures up and lands a big shot to Mudzuri's brow.
Steiner is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Steiner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mudzuri swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mudzuri keeping moving, preventing Steiner from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mudzuri wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mudzuri manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mudzuri wants to take Steiner's back but he can't do it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steiner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mudzuri throws a hook to the side of Steiner's head but Steiner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mudzuri throws a right hand that Steiner ducks under and follows up with a left that Steiner also avoids with ease.
Mudzuri throws a nice looking combination but Steiner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mudzuri works Steiner's body with a nice hook.
Mudzuri misses with a wild body shot.
Mudzuri misses with a series of wild punches.

Steiner shoots in and bounces Mudzuri off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Steiner tries to free his leg and advance position but Mudzuri is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steiner is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Steiner throws a strike but Mudzuri rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mudzuri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mudzuri trying to control but Steiner is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mudzuri looking to sit in guard and control but Steiner gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Steiner postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mudzuri keeping moving, preventing Steiner from controlling successfully.
Steiner is looking to advance position but Mudzuri has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Mudzuri wants to take Steiner's back but he can't do it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steiner is trying desperately to improve position.
Mudzuri is trying to take his opponent's back.

Mudzuri jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Steiner is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Steiner and Mudzuri has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mudzuri wants to control but Steiner is keeping him busy.
Steiner has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Steiner is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Josiah Mudzuri did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Mudzuri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A shot to the liver by Mudzuri. Beautiful body shot.
Mudzuri throws a hook but Steiner blocks it.
Mudzuri throws a one two combo.
Mudzuri misses the shot to the body.
Steiner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No joy there for Mudzuri, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Steiner shoots in but Mudzuri avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Steiner takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Josiah Mudzuri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Steiner is defended easily by Mudzuri.
Steiner defending well as Mudzuri loads up on a big left hand.
Mudzuri is looking to wear down Steiner with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Mudzuri misses with a wild body shot.
Josiah Mudzuri is winning the standup battle so far.
Mudzuri misses with a body shot.
Steiner ducks under a wild hook from Mudzuri.
Steiner tries to clinch there but Mudzuri circles away.
Mudzuri misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mudzuri scores with a punch to the head.
Steiner is looking to clinch but Mudzuri is avoiding it.

Steiner drives through and clinches with Mudzuri against the cage.
Mudzuri is struggling to control the position.
Steiner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Steiner blocks a body shot from Mudzuri.
Steiner tries to work over Mudzuri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steiner is working Mudzuri over against the cage.
Steiner blocks an uppercut.
Mudzuri throws a head punch that misses.
Mudzuri blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steiner tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steiner pushes Mudzuri back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mudzuri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mudzuri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steiner misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mudzuri is looking to control Steiner's arms but Steiner gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mudzuri has his back to the cage.
Steiner misses with a knee strike.
Steiner tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steiner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Steiner wants to take the fight to the mat but Mudzuri manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Josiah Mudzuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Steiner.
Steiner tries to work over Mudzuri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mudzuri lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mudzuri stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Steiner struggles to land a body shot inside as Mudzuri controls his hands.
Mudzuri is pushing Steiner up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Steiner misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Steiner fails to land.
Steiner can't find room to land a body shot as Mudzuri controls the action.
Mudzuri blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steiner trying to stall but Mudzuri improves his position.
Steiner misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mudzuri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mudzuri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mudzuri stalling against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steiner throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mudzuri blocks it with crossed arms.
Ricky Steiner seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Steiner tries to land knees in the clinch but Mudzuri avoids the damage to the body.

Mudzuri is fighting off a takedown attempt but Steiner is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mudzuri to the mat. Mudzuri regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Josiah Mudzuri will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Mudzuri throws a looping overhand right but Steiner ducks down to avoid it.

Mudzuri tries to sprawl but Steiner drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mudzuri gets back to full guard.
Steiner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mudzuri works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Steiner sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Steiner wants to control from the top but Mudzuri keeps moving.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Steiner working his ground and pound in the gym.
Steiner sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Steiner throws an elbow that misses. Mudzuri uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Steiner's guard. Nice move by Mudzuri!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mudzuri wants to control from the top but Steiner keeps moving.

We're going to have a standup here because Josiah Mudzuri wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Steiner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mudzuri missing with a left hand there. Steiner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Steiner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mudzuri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mudzuri darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Some wild striking there from Mudzuri.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steiner. Mudzuri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steiner staying out of range there.

Steiner looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Steiner trying to mount his opponent but Mudzuri defends it.

Steiner is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mudzuri keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mudzuri trying to control from the bottom.
Steiner not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mudzuri is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Steiner jumps into side control!
Mudzuri is being controlled here.
Mudzuri manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Steiner working over Mudzuri with some ground and pound. Mudzuri looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Steiner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Steiner is nestled in close to Mudzuri, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mudzuri trying to control but Steiner postures up.
Mudzuri is looking to improve his position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Steiner throwing shots but Mudzuri is blocking nicely.
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!
Steiner wants to take a breather but Mudzuri is having none of it.
Steiner thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mudzuri's head.
Steiner drops an elbow to the side of Mudzuri's head.
Steiner content to control rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Steiner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Steiner 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 47:49
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Steiner!
Ricky Steiner decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.