PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Reid (ranked 3338 p4p, 410 weight class) and Mike Steel (ranked 4896 p4p, 540 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Reid might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Living in America by James Brown. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Reid
vs
Steel

189 cm
25
191 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Apollo Reid!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mike Steel!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Reid lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Mike Steel has been cut.
Reid fails with the takedown
and Steel counters with a head kick. That will keep Reid thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Steel has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Reid goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Steel is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Reid connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Steel tries to clinch but Reid is having none of it.
Reid swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steel steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Reid.

Steel takes the fight into the clinch.
Reid managing to block the knees to the body from Steel.
Steel stalling the fight.
Steel pushes off an throws an elbow but Reid leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Steel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Reid blocks it with crossed arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Steel obliges.
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!
Reid is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Steel to keep the fight standing.
Reid blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel is pushing Reid up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
With the fighters up against the cage, Steel throws an elbow but misses.
Steel pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Steel lands a damaging elbow.
Reid definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Reid is trying to pull guard but Steel turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Reid. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Reid ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Reid no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Steel trying to control but Reid is working from the bottom.
Reid not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Steel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Reid wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.

Steel stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Reid drags the fight down to the ground.
Steel postures up in Reid's guard and throws a big left but Reid blocks it.
Steel is looking to advance position but Reid has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

A nice elbow there by Reid.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steel wants to try and get back to his feet.
Reid 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.
Reid controlling the position easily from mount.
Steel is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reid lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Reid sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Steel is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Reid looking to ground and pound but Steel is blocking nicely.
Steel is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Reid can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Steel is looking to escape.
Reid landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel wants to try and get back to his feet.
Reid wants to control but instead Steel manages to regain half guard.
Reid stops Steel from getting back to his feet.
Reid tries to pass the half guard into mount. Steel knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Steel can do anything to dispel that myth.
Steel wants to get back to his feet.
Reid 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.
Steel has hold of Reid's hands but Reid slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Reid wants to take a breather but Steel is having none of it.
Steel is trying to stand back up but Reid is controlling him
Reid thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Reid keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Reid dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Steel's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Reid looks for a takedown but Steel sprawls well.
Steel lands a high kick!
Reid with a hook.
Steel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Steel wants it to stay on the feet.
Reid lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Apollo Reid is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reid throws a head kick that misses.
Steel connects with a solid leg kick.

Reid fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Steel to the ground. Reid is now in Steel's guard.
Steel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Steel pushes Reid off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Steel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel slowing the pace effectively.
Steel is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Reid is keeping busy.
Reid jumps guard but Steel turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Reid. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Reid jumps guard but Steel turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Reid wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Steel has him pressed against the cage.
Steel lands a nice elbow.
Steel tries to land a knee to the head but Reid blocks with his arms.
Steel lands an elbow just above Reid 's eye.
Steel trying to land knees to the body.
Reid drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Reid has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reid is trying to push Steel away but Steel has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Steel utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Reid wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Steel has him pressed against the cage.
Steel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Reid up against the cage.
Reid takes an elbow to the temple.
Steel misses with an elbow strike.
Steel looking to throw knees to the head but Reid is blocking nicely.
Steel swings wildly with an uppercut but Reid uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reid takes an elbow to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel misses with a knee strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Steel.
Reid is working for takedown but Steel is calmly controlling the position for now.
Steel putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Reid in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Reid dodges an elbow strike from Steel.
Steel throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Steel throws an elbow but it misses.
Steel misses with a knee strike.
Steel pressing his opponent against the cage.
Steel has Reid pressed against the cage.
Steel receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Steel lands a good knee to the midsection. Reid won't want to take too many of those.

Reid jumps into guard, dragging Steel to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reid wants to hit a switch here but Steel passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Reid there!
Steel looking to control and managing it successfully.
Reid is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Reid is looking to improve his position but Steel isn't that keen on the idea.
Steel unloads with some shots from mount but Reid bucks and avoids them well.
Steel wants to control the pace but Reid is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Steel's cut.
That's time! Reid's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Steel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Reid swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Reid pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steel throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Steel tries to clinch up but Reid circles away and keeps his distance.

Steel rushes Reid and presses him up against the cage.
Steel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Reid wants to take the fight to the mat but Steel manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Steel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Steel lands an elbow inside.
Reid jumps guard but Steel stands there with Reid around his waist. Reid gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Reid changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Steel fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Reid. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Steel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Reid jumps guard but Steel turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Reid takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steel lands a nice elbow.
Reid tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Steel smiles and moves away.
Mike Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steel tries to clinch up.
Reid changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Steel tries to avoid it but Reid manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Steel to the ground. Steel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Steel's jab looks to have found its range, popping Reid under the eye.
Steel tries to clinch but Reid moves out of range.
Reid appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Steel tries to clinch up but Reid circles away and keeps his distance.

Steel clinches with his opponent.
Mike Steel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Reid fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reid takes an elbow to the temple.
Knees to the body from Steel.
Reid takes an elbow to the temple.
Steel taking a breather.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steel taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Steel lands an elbow inside.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Reid has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Reid takes an elbow to the temple.
Steel just leaning against Reid, taking a breather.
Reid tries to pull guard but Steel forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Steel lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reid on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Reid takes a knee right on the jaw!
Steel tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reid wants to take the fight to the mat but Steel manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Steel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Reid backwards.
Steel throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Steel lands an elbow that stopped Reid in his tracks for a moment.
Reid tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Steel smiles and moves away.
Reid ducks right into an uppercut from Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reid fails to land with a series of punches.

Steel darts in and clinches Reid up against the cage.
Reid is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Steel to keep the fight standing.
Steel pushes Reid back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steel landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reid takes a shot to the head.
Reid is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Reid tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Steel just stands there and leans against the cage.
Steel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Steel lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Steel.
Steel tries to land knees in the clinch but Reid avoids the damage to the body.
Steel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Reid up against the cage.
Reid takes an elbow to the forehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Steel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Steel 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 David Hoff scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Steel!
Apollo Reid was interviewed post fight and said 'Good luck.'.