PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francisco Escobar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Steel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Escobar
vs
Steel

185 cm
28
220 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

183 cm
24
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Francisco Escobar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Steel!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Steel feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Steel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Steel trying to control the action but Escobar is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escobar tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Steel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Steel is trying to get an arm triangle but Escobar is defending well.
Steel advances to full mount.
Steel controlling from mount.

Steel wants to finish this one by submission but Escobar is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Steel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Steel working for a submission but Escobar is keeping him at bay.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steel tries to control but Escobar wriggling away.
Escobar really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel fails to advance to Escobar's back.
Escobar tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Steel tries to control but Escobar wriggling away.
Steel fails to move to back control.

Steel is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Steel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). James Steel!
An out of breath James Steel thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.