PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandre Nieto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nieto might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bullet the Blue Sky. On his way into the cage it seems that Alexandre Nieto has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Alexandre Nieto seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Nieto
vs
Steamboat

170 cm
36
162 lbs
29 - 11 - 2

178 cm
34
154 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Alexandre Nieto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Steamboat!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steamboat tried to score with a low kick but Nieto checks it.
Nieto throws a head kick that misses.
Steamboat steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Nieto.
Steamboat misses the shot to the body.

Nieto has managed to clinch.
Steamboat throws an elbow but it misses.
Steamboat leaning his opponent against the cage.
Steamboat creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nieto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nieto swings wildly with an uppercut but Steamboat uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steamboat lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nieto backwards.
Steamboat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nieto's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steamboat misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steamboat gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nieto tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steamboat's elbow.
Nieto misses with a punch to the body.
Steamboat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nieto's elbow.
Nieto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steamboat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nieto tries a body shot but Steamboat blocks it.
Steamboat lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Alexandre Nieto has been cut.
Steamboat misses with a short punch on the inside.
Steamboat tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Steamboat taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nieto.
Nieto takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nieto misses with a punch to the body.
Steamboat lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nieto lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Steamboat.
Steamboat lands a nice elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steamboat is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Nieto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nieto thumps Steamboat with a low kick.
Steamboat on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nieto. Nieto obviously looking to wear him down.
Nieto tries a head kick but it misses.
Steamboat checks a low kick from Nieto.
Nieto sets himself, and Steamboat steps forward looking for the clinch! Nieto avoids it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Steamboat moves out of range of the leg kick from Nieto.
Nieto thows a leg kick but Steamboat checks it
and Steamboat counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nieto swings for the body but Steamboat moves out of range.
Nieto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Steamboat tries to clinch but Nieto moves out of range.
Nieto connects with a nice looking jab.
Nieto tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nieto misses the shot to the body.
Nieto throws a looping overhand right but Steamboat ducks down to avoid it.
Steamboat checks a low kick from Nieto.
Steamboat connects with an inside leg kick.
Nieto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Alexandre Nieto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steamboat takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steamboat pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nieto wants to slow Steamboat down by chopping away at his legs.

Nieto closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nieto lands a right hand that snaps the head of Steamboat backwards.
Steamboat misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steamboat blocking some punches.
Steamboat tries a body shot but Nieto blocks it.
Steamboat misses with an elbow over the top.
Nieto blocking some punches.
Nieto prevents a body shot from Steamboat.
Nieto tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Steamboat works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ricky Steamboat will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexandre Nieto's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nieto throws a leg kick but Steamboat checks it.
Nieto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Steamboat is out of range.
Nieto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steamboat throws out a counter right but Nieto avoids it with no problem.
Nieto misses with a low kick.
That kick from Nieto tenderised Steamboat's leg. Steamboat is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nieto throws a leg kick which misses Steamboat's front leg but catches the back leg as Steamboat tries to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Nieto misses the target.
A head kick misses from Steamboat.
Alexandre Nieto is winning the standup battle so far.
Nieto takes a swing at Steamboat's ribcage but misses.
Steamboat steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Nieto.
Steamboat has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Steamboat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nieto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nieto ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nieto tries to score with a low kick but Steamboat moves his leg out of the way.
Nieto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nieto misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Steamboat misses.
Nieto thuds his right hand into Steamboat's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nieto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Steamboat keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nieto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
As Nieto backs off Steamboat throws a huge counter combo but Nieto manages to avoid it all.
Nieto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steamboat moves away.
Steamboat keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A big right from Nieto misses.
Steamboat on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nieto misses with an uppercut.
Steamboat defending well as Nieto loads up on a big left hand.
Nieto throws a body shot but no joy.
Nieto is looking to wear down Steamboat with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Steamboat keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nieto, right into the meat.
Steamboat takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Steamboat swinging wildly here.
Nieto misses with a head kick.
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 throws a right hand that Nieto ducks under and follows up with a left that Nieto also avoids with ease.
Nieto moves in looking to clinch but Steamboat pushes him off.
Steamboat thuds his right hand into Nieto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Steamboat darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nieto throws out a powerful jab.
Steamboat slips under a jab from Nieto.
Steamboat swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Steamboat swats away the attempt to clinch by Nieto.
Steamboat throws out a counter right but Nieto avoids it with no problem.
Steamboat checks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nieto.
Steamboat moves out of range as Nieto strikes.
Nieto lands a jab.
Steamboat stuns Nieto with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nieto scores with a nice right hand.
Nieto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nieto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Steamboat checks it well.
Steamboat takes a kick to the side of the head.
Steamboat lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nieto's sensitive parts.
Nieto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Steamboat.
Nieto tries to clinch but Steamboat moves out of range.
Steamboat moves out of range as Nieto strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Nieto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steamboat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nieto.
Steamboat misses with a body shot.
Nieto cracks a nice hook into Steamboat's ribs.
Nieto throws a nice head kick!
Steamboat checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nieto just misses with a punch to the body.
Nieto throws a low kick, looking for Steamboat's leg but Steamboat calmly moves out of range.
Steamboat wants to counter the offense by Nieto and move into the clinch position.
Steamboat misses with a body kick.
Nieto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steamboat can do to turn this around?

Nieto has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nieto misses with a punch to the body.
Nieto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nieto tries to throw a body punch but Steamboat avoids it by throwing Nieto back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandre Nieto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexandre Nieto's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nieto misses with a takedown attempt - Steamboat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nieto goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Steamboat ducks under a wild hook from Nieto.
Steamboat scores with a head kick. Nieto tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Steamboat uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nieto.
Nieto moves in looking to clinch but Steamboat pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Steamboat! But no joy.
Nieto shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Steamboat as he avoids it easily.
Steamboat swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nieto. That's going to slow Steamboat down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nieto connects with an inside leg kick.
Steamboat stalks Nieto and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nieto's face. Nieto staggers backwards, shaken.
Nieto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nieto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nieto throws a hook but Steamboat avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Steamboat misses with a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nieto.
Nieto punishes Steamboat's body with a nice straight punch.
A jab from Nieto misses.
Nieto throws a body punch but Steamboat moves out of range.
Nieto throws a lazy head kick
and Steamboat cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nieto swings for the body but Steamboat moves out of range.
Nieto lands a right hook to the body.
Nieto tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Steamboat counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Alexandre Nieto's cut is getting worse.
Nieto misses with a hook to the body
and Steamboat counters with a stiff right hand.
Steamboat defending well as Nieto loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat throws a looping overhand right but Nieto ducks down to avoid it.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nieto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steamboat throws out a counter right but Nieto avoids it with no problem.
Nieto throws a low kick but Steamboat avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nieto throws a looping overhand right but Steamboat ducks down to avoid it.
Steamboat looks to land a combination but Nieto avoids it well.
Steamboat's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab from Nieto misses.
Nieto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Steamboat is looking for the big counter here.
Steamboat swats away the attempt to clinch by Nieto.
Nieto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Steamboat throws a leg kick which misses Nieto's front leg but catches the back leg as Nieto tries to avoid it.
Nieto avoids the head kick by Steamboat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Steamboat is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Steamboat misses with a hook.
Steamboat pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nieto back to the cage. Steamboat follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Nieto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nieto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nieto tries to land a leg kick but Steamboat saw it coming and moves away.
Nieto sets himself, and Steamboat steps forward looking for the clinch! Nieto avoids it this time.
Nieto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Nieto takes the fight into the clinch.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Nieto digs a right hand underneath Steamboat's ribcage. Steamboat let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Steamboat throws a punch but it's blocked by Nieto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nietos head.
Ricky Steamboat seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nieto working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Steamboat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nieto misses with some punches.
Nieto lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Steamboat.
Nieto misses with a body punch.
Nieto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nieto doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Nieto fails to land.
Steamboat tries to stall but Nieto uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nieto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ricky Steamboat just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Alexandre Nieto's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Steamboat throws a head kick that Nieto semi-blocks.
Nieto is looking to score with low kicks.
Nieto misses with a left hand
and Steamboat connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nieto lands with a nice body punch.
Nieto throws a lazy uppercut
letting Steamboat counter with a right hand.
Nieto misses with a leg kick.
Steamboat scores with the left hand. Nieto knows he should have avoided that one.
Nieto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Steamboat feints a counter leg kick.
Nieto ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nieto misses with a takedown
and Steamboat counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nieto thinking.
Nieto takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steamboat throws a series of punches but Nieto avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat checks a leg kick nicely.
Nieto misses with a low kick.
Nieto takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Steamboat chopping away at his opponent's legs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Steamboat crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nieto - the referee stops the clock and Steamboat gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nieto. Steamboat manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nieto connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Steamboat's hands.
Nieto motions for Steamboat to come forward. Nieto throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Steamboat keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nieto.
Steamboat wants to counter the offense by Nieto and move into the clinch position.
Nieto thuds a left hand into Steamboat's body.
Steamboat throws a right and a left that Nieto avoids nicely.
Nieto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steamboat paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nieto sets himself, and Steamboat steps forward looking for the clinch! Nieto avoids it this time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steamboat. Nieto does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat looks to land a left hand but Nieto moved out of range nicely.
Steamboat blocks a head kick by Nieto.
Nieto moves in looking to clinch but Steamboat pushes him off.
Nieto misses with a low kick.
Nieto is looking to slow Steamboat down with leg kicks.
Nieto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nieto connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Steamboat momentarily.
Steamboat misses with a head kick.
Steamboat tests Nieto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nieto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nieto misses the shot to the body.
A nice side step and Steamboat releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A lazy left from Nieto finds it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nieto.
Nieto tries to land a front kick but Steamboat steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nieto throws a body shot but no joy.
Steamboat has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Steamboat scores with a head kick.
Nieto doesn't manage to clinch there - Steamboat circles away.
Nieto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steamboat was well out of range. Poor timing from Nieto.
Steamboat tries to counter with a clinch but Nieto shakes him off and moves away.
Nieto takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nieto scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nieto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nieto misses with a body kick.
Steamboat blocks a leg kick.
It seemed like Steamboat was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A shot to the body from Nieto misses
and Steamboat counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieto connects with a solid leg kick.
Steamboat slips under a jab from Nieto.
Steamboat swats away the attempt to clinch by Nieto.
A little jabbing left from Steamboat on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
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!
Nieto connects with a body shot.
Nieto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nieto throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Steamboat holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Steamboat prevents a body shot from Nieto.
Nieto avoids a wild elbow strike from Steamboat.
Nieto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Steamboat misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Ricky Steamboat will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alexandre Nieto's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nieto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Steamboat misses with the combination.
Steamboat misses with an uppercut. Nieto saw that one coming.
Nieto throws out a leg kick but Steamboat moves out of range and Nieto only half commits.
Nieto throws a right hand that misses
and Steamboat counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
An inside leg kick from Nieto misses.
Steamboat feints a counter leg kick.
Nieto fails to land the takedown.
Nieto backing away here, and Steamboat unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nieto cracks Steamboat with an open hand slap.
Nieto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Steamboat counters with a straight right hand.
Nieto digs a good hook to Steamboat's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat is looking to chop away at Nieto's legs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nieto.
Nieto is looking to clinch.
Nieto lands the left hand.
Nieto throws a leg kick
and Steamboat counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nieto tries to work over Steamboat's front leg with a kick but Steamboat checks it.
Nieto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Steamboat lands a nice hook to Nieto's body. Nieto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick by Nieto misses
and Nieto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Steamboat scoring well with a low kick there.
Nieto misses with a right hand
and Steamboat counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nieto thinking.
Steamboat lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nieto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Steamboat's sensitive parts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nieto connects with a nice looking jab.
Nieto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Steamboat walks into a jab.
Steamboat scores with a leg kick.
Alexandre Nieto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steamboat throws a nice head kick!
A slow jab from Nieto misses its intended target.
Nieto tries a head kick but it misses.
Nieto misses with a leg kick
and Steamboat counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nieto just misses with a punch to the body.
Good leg kick by Steamboat there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Steamboat's calf.
Steamboat has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nieto.
Steamboat takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Nieto clinches up with Steamboat and pushes him back against the cage.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Nieto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nieto misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nieto tries a body shot but Steamboat blocks it.
Nieto lands a body punch.
Ricky Steamboat is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nieto is trying to break free.
A right handed body shot lands from Nieto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steamboat taking a breather.
Steamboat lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nieto.
Nieto can't find room to land a body shot as Steamboat controls the action.
Steamboat prevents a body shot from Nieto.
Nieto tries to work over Steamboat's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nieto misses with a punch on the inside.
Nieto wants to take the fight to the mat but Steamboat manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nieto misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ricky Steamboat.
I think Steamboat 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:49
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ricky Steamboat! Ricky Steamboat retains his lightweight title!
Ricky Steamboat tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.