PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Henry Hayden (ranked 24802 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Steel (ranked 8812 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Steel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hayden
vs
Steel

176 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
21
250 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henry Hayden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chris Steel!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hayden 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.
Nice takedown defense from Hayden. No joy for Steel on that attempt.
It looked like Hayden was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Steel tries for a takedown but Hayden sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
It looked like Hayden was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Steel.
Steel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Henry Hayden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Steel.
Hayden is trying hard to land a takedown here. Steel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hayden avoids a punch combination nicely.

Steel tries to sprawl but Hayden drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hayden lands a nice short elbow.
Steel wants to get back to his feet.
Steel manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Steel trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steel has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hayden cracks Steel with a solid left hand.
Hayden 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 is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Steel manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Hayden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steel closes the distance and clinches up with Hayden, looking for a takedown. Steel pushes Hayden against the cage but Hayden circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Steel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hayden slows down the pace here.
Hayden prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hayden wants the takedown. Steel is fighting it off but Hayden persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Steel's guard against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Steel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hayden is aware though and is defending well.
Hayden lands a couple of elbows.
Hayden won't allow Steel to sweep him here.
Hayden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hayden could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hayden scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Steel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hayden doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hayden manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Steel looks winded!
Hayden is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hayden wants to stand but Steel has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Steel striking off his back but it's not causing Hayden any problems.
Steel has momentary wrist control but Hayden slips an elbow through the middle.
Hayden is looking to work some ground and pound but Steel has wrist control.
Hayden landing with the ground and pound.
Hayden wants to stand but Steel has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Steel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hayden.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Steel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Henry Hayden will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hayden shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hayden showed some decent athleticism there.
Steel wants to improve his position but Hayden is controlling well.
Hayden scoring with strikes to the body and head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayden working Steel over with strikes.
Steel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hayden working Steel over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayden seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Steel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Steel is adopting a defensive guard.
Hayden won't allow Steel to sweep him here.
Hayden wants to get up but he can't break Steel's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hayden landing with the ground and pound.
Steel is trying to control the position but Hayden postures up.

Steel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hayden doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hayden manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Steel manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hayden.
Steel is breathing heavily.
Hayden using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Steel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hayden taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hayden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hayden is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Steel's half guard.
Steel tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Hayden manages to move to mount!
BOOM! Hayden connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hayden looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Hayden with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Hayden is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steel can do to turn this around?
Hayden with good strikes from the mount here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hayden working for a submission but Steel is keeping him at bay.
Hayden tries to control but Steel wriggling away.
Steel is looking to improve his position but Hayden isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hayden looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Hayden dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hayden avoids the head kick by Steel.
Hayden showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steel.
Hayden is trying hard to land a takedown here. Steel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Steel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Steel has taken the fight to the clinch.
Steel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hayden pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Steel has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hayden after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel jumps guard but Hayden stands there with Steel around his waist. Steel gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Henry Hayden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Steel.
Steel tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hayden just stands there and leans against the cage.
Steel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hayden jumps guard but Steel turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Hayden.
Steel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hayden breaks the clinch.

Steel clinches up with Hayden and pushes him back against the cage.
Hayden goes for a takedown attempt but Steel pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Steel drives through and clinches with Hayden against the cage.

Hayden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Steel with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hayden moves into the clinch.
Steel gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hayden.
Hayden drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Steel gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel is trying to pull guard but Hayden turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hayden tries a body shot but Steel blocks it.
Hayden dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hayden wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hayden is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hayden tries for a takedown but Steel manages to get underhooks.
Steel tries to break free but Hayden pushes him back against the cage.
Hayden 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.
Hayden has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Steel after a bit of a struggle.
Steel has Hayden pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hayden manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hayden is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Steel has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Steel tries to pull guard but Hayden won't allow it.
Hayden tries to pull guard but Steel holds him up against the cage and eventually Hayden drops back down to his feet.
Hayden is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Steel pulls guard successfully.
Hayden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Steel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayden is standing up over Steel. Steel looks to escape but Hayden dives into side control.
Steel tries to buck Hayden off but Hayden is having none of it.
Steel sneaks back into half guard.
Steel slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Steel striking off his back but it's not causing Hayden any problems.
Chris Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henry Hayden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hayden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Steel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Steel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hayden has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henry Hayden!