PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ross Devereux (ranked 1661 p4p, 217 weight class) and James Steel (ranked 2868 p4p, 347 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Devereux
vs
Steel

184 cm
36
190 lbs
26 - 12 - 2

183 cm
35
202 lbs
18 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 26 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ross Devereux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, James Steel!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Micheangelo Fripello and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Devereux throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Steel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Devereux manages to avoid it.
Devereux takes a swing at Steel's ribcage but misses.
Steel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Devereux fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steel manages to avoid it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Devereux.
Steel swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Devereux missing with a left hand there. Steel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Devereux uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Steel.
Devereux changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Devereux waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Steel.
Devereux lands with an overhand left.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
A big left from Steel misses.
Ross Devereux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Devereux misses with a jab to the body
and Steel counters with a one-two to the body.
Steel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Devereux lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A bone on bone clash there as Steel blocks the leg kick.
Devereux rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Steel makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Devereux jabs at Steel's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Devereux misses.
Steel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Devereux.
Steel takes a shot to the body in his stride.
An inside leg kick from Steel misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Devereux. That's going to slow Steel down.
Steel takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Devereux throws a body shot but no joy.
Steel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Steel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

It looks like Ross Devereux has been cut.
Devereux takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Devereux shoots in for a takedown but Steel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Devereux lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Steel at a distance.
Devereux attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A swing and a miss from Devereux.
Devereux looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Devereux scores with a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Steel avoids the body shot from Devereux.
Steel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Devereux needs to keep his hands up - Steel had a free shot at his head there.
Steel lands a slapping body shot.
Nice body kick from Devereux.
Devereux blocks a jab.
Steel misses with a straight left.
Devereux is looking to counter with a body kick.
Devereux throws a leg kick that is checked
and Steel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Devereux walks into a left hand.
Devereux delivers a nice body kick.
Devereux on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Steel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
James Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Devereux walks into a straight right hand from Steel.
Devereux moves forwards but Steel connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Devereux lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devereux with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Steel to score with a decent uppercut.
Steel takes one to the chin there.
Steel missing with a left hand there. Devereux was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Devereux lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Steel misses with a hook. Devereux ducked under it nicely.
Steel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Devereux takes a swing at Steel's ribcage but misses.
Devereux throws a front kick aimed at Steel's knee but Steel avoids it well.
Devereux lands a jab to the nose.
Devereux chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Devereux shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Steel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Devereux thinking.
Devereux avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Devereux throws a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel misses with a looping left.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Devereux.
It seemed like Steel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've been informed that Steel has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws an off balance right hand
and Devereux counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Devereux scores with a spinning back kick!
Steel throws a right hand that misses
and Steel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Devereux throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Steel moves forwards but Devereux connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Devereux misses with a straight left.
Devereux scores with a decent looking hook.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel connects with a solid leg kick.
Devereux throws a lazy right hand but Steel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Steel checks a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Devereux defending well as Steel loads up on a big left hand.
Steel takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Steel connects with a body shot that sends Devereux's belly button to the back.
Devereux swings widly with a right hand
and Devereux takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ross Devereux dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ross Devereux's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Devereux pushes Steel away with a front kick.
Devereux displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Steel might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Devereux has got the better of the exchanges.
Devereux throws an off balance right hand

and Steel counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Steel seems to be working for a kimura but Devereux defends the submission attempt.

Devereux is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Steel pulls his head out easily.
Steel is trying to control. Devereux wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Steel is looking for a kimura but Devereux is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Steel to get the leverage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel is thwarting Devereux's attempts to control the position.
Devereux is trying to get back to full guard.

Devereux looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Devereux is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Steel pulls his head out easily.

Steel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Devereux doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Steel.
Devereux is trying to get back to full guard.
Devereux gets back to full guard.
Devereux looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Devereux is working hard here to advance position.
Steel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Steel trying to control the position from guard on top but Devereux is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Devereux looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Devereux is looking for a triangle but Steel pushes his legs off easily.
Devereux looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Devereux keeping full guard, as Steel tries to pass.
Devereux tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Devereux escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Steel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devereux is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Steel tries to free his leg and advance position but Devereux is retaining full guard.

Devereux looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Devereux has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Steel is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Devereux.

Steel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Devereux tries to bench press Steel off him but Steel keeps the position.

Steel tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Steel has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Devereux's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
James Steel has got the better of the ground game so far.

Steel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Devereux sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Devereux moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Steel wants to control from the top but Devereux keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Devereux is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Steel is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Steel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Devereux drops down looking for a counter takedown but Steel sprawls and moves away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Devereux, as that shot connected.
Devereux doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.

Devereux drives through with a takedown into Steel's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Steel is looking for a triangle but Devereux pushes his legs off easily.

Steel is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Devereux controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Devereux is looking to pass into half guard but Steel pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Steel is in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Devereux has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Steel can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Steel looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Devereux has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Steel can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Devereux wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
Devereux working a defensive guard but Steel manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Devereux is looking to reverse the position.
Steel has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Devereux!
Steel controlling the position easily from mount.
Steel tries to control but Devereux wriggling away.

Steel looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Devereux is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel controlling from mount.
Devereux is wriggling around trying to escape.
Steel fails to advance to Devereux's back.
Devereux tries to improve his position but instead Steel has taken his back!
Steel slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
I really don't envy Devereux right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steel is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Devereux taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Steel.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Steel!
James Steel managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Urban Fighter, into his post fight interview.