PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonas Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Hunt
vs
Steel

180 cm
25
255 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

194 cm
23
275 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richard Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jonas Steel!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hunt drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hunt throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hunt sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Steel is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hunt looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Steel is avoiding damage well.
Steel is trying to buck Hunt off.
Hunt has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hunt in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Steel really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hunt. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hunt throws a strike aimed at the side of Steel's head but Steel avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt with the ground and pound but Steel regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Steel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hunt.
Hunt thows a huge punch but Steel dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt slips a nice elbow through Steel's hands, connecting with Steel's forehead.
Hunt sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Steel defending well though.
Steel is staying active underneath Hunt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hunt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hunt is nestled in close to Steel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hunt throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hunt sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Steel defending well though.
Steel keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hunt could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hunt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
Steel regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hunt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hunt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hunt has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Steel.
A head kick misses from Steel.
Steel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hunt counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hunt tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hunt misses with a punch on the inside.
Hunt has Steel pressed against the cage, preventing Steel from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt lands a right hand that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Hunt lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Steel has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hunt seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Steel can turn it around.

Steel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Steel.
Steel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hunt checks a leg kick.
Hunt throws a series of punches but Steel moves out of range.
Hunt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Despite the aggression on Steel's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Hunt looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hunt throwing strikes but missing.
Steel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hunt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Steel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hunt postures up in Steel's guard and throws a big left but Steel blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hunt throwing strikes but missing.
Hunt wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Hunt dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hunt moves into the clinch.
Steel is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hunt to keep the fight standing.
Steel is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hunt to keep the fight standing.
Hunt lands a body shot in the clinch.
Steel tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hunt smiles and moves away.
Richard Hunt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonas Steel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hunt looking to score a takedown here. Steel is defending well but Hunt drives through and ends up in Steel's guard.
Richard Hunt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hunt wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.
Steel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hunt.
Hunt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Hunt stands up from Steel's guard - Hunt perhaps looking for a knockout.
Steel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.
Hunt slips a jab and a cross from Steel.
Steel tries to work over Hunt's front leg with a kick but Hunt checks it.
Hunt appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Hunt gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hunt gets through Steel's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel is looking to break free of the clinch but Hunt has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Steel's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hunt lands a hook to the side of the head.

Hunt breaks the clinch.
Steel misses with a head kick.
Steel thows a leg kick but Hunt checks it
and Hunt counters with a two punch combo.
Hunt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steel steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hunt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hunt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Steel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Steel throws a head kick but Hunt moves out of range.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Hunt here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Steel throws the kick towards the body but Hunt avoids it.
Jonas Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steel tries a head kick but it misses.
Steel thows a leg kick but Hunt checks it
and Hunt counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Hunt closes the distance and pushes Steel back into the cage.
Hunt has a couple of punches blocked by Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel is trying to force a seperation but Hunt has the dominant position.
Steel prevents a body shot from Hunt.
Steel is trying to break the clinch but Hunt is controlling him.

Hunt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hunt getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Steel.
Steel plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Hunt dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Steel takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hunt.
Steel throws a head kick that misses.
Steel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steel misses with a head kick.
Hunt went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hunt throws a right hand that Steel ducks under and follows up with a left that Steel also avoids with ease.
Hunt throws a right hand that Steel ducks under and follows up with a left that Steel also avoids with ease.
Hunt blocks a low kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hunt closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Steel's guard.
Hunt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunt throwing strikes from guard but Steel blocks nicely.
Steel wants to stand and escape but Hunt is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt advances to half guard.
Steel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hunt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Steel wants to get back to his feet.
Hunt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hunt thows a huge punch but Steel dodges it nicely.
Hunt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Steel's head.
Hunt misses with a head shot. Steel uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hunt distracts Steel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt pushing down on Steel's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Steel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
Hunt lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Steel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
Steel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
Hunt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Steel's head.
Hunt frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hunt has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Steel's face.
Steel wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hunt.
Hunt is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steel can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt lands a nice shot to the head.
Hunt unloads with some shots from mount but Steel bucks and avoids them well.
Steel wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hunt.
Steel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hunt misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Hunt lands a heavy elbow.
Jonas Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hunt lands with some strikes.
Hunt thowing shots but they're missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt throws some wild stikes that Steel manages to avoid easily.
Hunt sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Poor strikes thrown by Hunt there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Hunt punching from mount but Steel doing a good job of avoiding damage.
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!
Hunt unloads with some shots from mount but Steel bucks and avoids them well.
Hunt lands a big shot there that rocks Steel but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Steel blocking the ground and pound.
BOOM! Hunt connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hunt lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Richard Hunt is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hunt postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Steel looks a forlorn figure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Hunt showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hunt has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:26
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Hunt!