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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Steel (ranked 2689 p4p, 332 weight class) and John Ruth (ranked 2051 p4p, 260 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!
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| 183 cm
29
202 lbs
9 - 7 - 0 |
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178 cm
24
195 lbs
5 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Ruth!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruth throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Steel on the side of the head.
The crowd cheers as Steel lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ruth doesn't seem phased though.
Steel drops his hands momentarily and Ruth takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Steel misses with a looping left.
A swing and a miss from Ruth.
Steel misses with a head kick.
Ruth throws a lazy uppercut
and Steel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ruth connects with a jab.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Ruth defending well as Steel loads up on a big left hand.
Ruth moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ruth has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Steel takes a swing at Ruth's ribcage but misses.
Ruth throws a hook to the side of Steel's head but Steel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Steel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruth listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
We've been hearing reports that Steel has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Ruth misses with an uppercut. Steel saw that one coming.
Ruth keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ruth lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ruth blocks a jab.
Ruth cracks a nice hook into Steel's ribs.
Ruth just misses with a punch to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Ruth finds it's target.
Steel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ruth.
Nice defenses there by Steel.
Steel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ruth.
Ruth misses with a looping right.
Steel appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ruth throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ruth fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A swing and a miss from Ruth.
Ruth gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Steel.
Ruth ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
Ruth swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Steel lands with an uppercut that bounces Ruth off the cage and back into range.
Ruth dives in and grabs Steel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Steel pushes down on Ruth's head and hops out.
Ruth will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
James Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Ruth.
Ruth shoots in but Steel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruth might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruth throws a hook to the side of Steel's head but Steel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
James Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Steel scores with a jab.
Ruth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Steel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Steel works over Ruth's head and body with a nice combination.
Steel slips a jab from Ruth.
As Ruth looks to move away, Steel throws a big counter combo but Ruth just gets out of the way.
Steel cracks the inside of Ruth's front leg.
Steel ducks under a wild hook from Ruth.
A big right from Ruth misses.
Steel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ruth.
Ruth throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ruth defending well as Steel loads up on a big left hand.
Steel catches Ruth with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ruth fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steel manages to avoid it.
Steel connects with a leg kick. Ruth looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Steel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel scores with a nice strike.
A swing and a miss from Ruth.
Ruth cracks Steel with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Steel moves out of range of the strikes.
Steel lands with a right hand.
A shot to the liver by Steel. Beautiful body shot.
Steel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ruth misses with a looping right.
Ruth ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steel moves away.
A combination from Steel does no damage.
Ruth throws a body shot but no joy.
Steel is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Ruth throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Steel on the side of the head.
Ruth 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 big counter combination but Ruth scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Steel moves out of range as Ruth strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruth manages to avoid it.
Steel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruth lands with a hook. Steel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Steel throws a leg kick that misses.
Steel walks into a jab.
Ruth jabs Steel right on the nose. Steel blinks but takes it well.
Steel lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ruth misses the shot to the body.
Ruth throws a shot from downtown. Steel moves away and avoids it.
Ruth thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jab, jab by Steel - just one landing.
Steel throws a shot from downtown. Ruth moves away and avoids it.
Ruth with the counter takedown but Steel avoids it easily.
Ruth shoots in and gets a takedown into Steel's guard.
Ruth lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Steel looking for a guillotine here but Ruth defends easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but John Ruth 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.
Ruth takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ruth swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruth fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Steel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ruth connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Steel swings for the body but Ruth moves out of range.
Steel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Steel slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ruth ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steel moves away.
The crowd cheers as Steel lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ruth doesn't seem phased though.
Ruth shoots in and gets a takedown into Steel's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruth loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ruth throws a big right hand that misses.
Steel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Steel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ruth postures up in Steel's guard and throws a big left but Steel blocks it.
Ruth postures up in Steel's guard and throws a big left but Steel blocks it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruth postures up.
Ruth connects with a couple of short punches.
Ruth postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ruth accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ruth trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Steel pulls Ruth in to control the position.
Ruth is in close to Steel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Steel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ruth defends it easily.
Ruth working some strikes from top position.
Ruth working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Steel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Ruth from controlling successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruth throws an elbow that misses. Steel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ruth's guard. Nice move by Steel!
Steel preventing the sweep.
Ruth is still trying to improve position.
Ruth wants to improve his position but instead Steel has moved into half guard.
Steel is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ruth sees it coming and defends easily.
Ruth is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruth gets back to full guard.
Ruth is trying to control the position but Steel postures up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel looking to pass the guard.
Steel trying to control but Ruth is working from the bottom.
Ruth is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Steel is aware though and is defending well.
Ruth tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Steel passes Ruth's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Steel is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ruth is looking for a sweep. Steel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ruth manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Steel preventing the sweep.
John Ruth has got the better of the ground game so far.
Steel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ruth looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steel is one step ahead there.
Steel engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ruth wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ruth misses with a wild combination.
Ruth connects with a good right hand that stumbles Steel. Steel circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
John Ruth showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Ruth lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Steel.
Ruth goes for a double leg but Steel avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Steel continues to drive forward.
Ruth doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Steel to counter with a crisp jab.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel scores with a jab.
Ruth throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Steel is looking to counter punch.
James Steel is winning the standup battle so far.
Steel lands a glancing blow to the side of Ruth's head.
Steel scores with a nice right hand.
Jab, jab by Ruth - just one landing.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Steel.
Steel moves away from the strike by Ruth.
Steel scores with a jab to the body.
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!
The crowd cheers as Steel lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ruth doesn't seem phased though.
Steel missing with a left hand there. Ruth was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Steel lands a slapping body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel catches Ruth with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Steel takes a swing at Ruth's ribcage but misses.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Steel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Steel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Good exchange - Ruth coming out on top.
A telegraphed right hand from Steel misses the target.
Ruth fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Steel walks into a jab.
Steel tries to bum rush Ruth with a series of wild strikes but Ruth uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And Ruth tries to counter it with a takedown but Steel pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ruth keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Steel.
Ruth has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ruth cracks Steel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ruth moves out of range of the strikes.
Ruth cracks a nice hook into Steel's ribs.
John Ruth is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruth scores with a hook to the body. Steel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Steel on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Steel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ruth momentarily.
Steel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ruth throws a lazy right hand but Steel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Steel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ruth.
James Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Ruth.
Steel slips a jab from Ruth.
Ruth has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Steel finds it's way round the side to connect with Ruth's head.
Steel takes a swing at Ruth's ribcage but misses.
Ruth connects with a crisp jab.
Ruth looks to score with a jab to the body but Steel is just out of range.
Ruth misses the jab.
Steel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ruth.
Ruth misses with a wild body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruth lunges at Steel with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Steel's hand.
Steel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ruth.
Ruth fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel throws an overhand right that lands on Ruth's shoulder, as Ruth tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Steel misses.
Steel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Steel throws an off balance right hand
and Ruth counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Steel!
Ruth working away.
Ruth in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Ruth has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Steel prevents Ruth from moving into mount.
James Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steel is looking for a sweep.
Ruth wants to control but Steel is keeping him busy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel is looking to regain half guard here but Ruth keeps moving and retains side control.
Steel being controlled for a moment.
Steel tries to improve position but can't.
Ruth controlling the position.
Steel is not content to let Ruth control the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to James Steel.
I think Ruth 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Ruth!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
62% |
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