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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Takeru Ozaki (ranked 1310 p4p, 162 weight class) and James Steel (ranked 1081 p4p, 129 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 186 cm
38
189 lbs
32 - 11 - 2 |
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183 cm
36
202 lbs
20 - 19 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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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
32 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Takeru Ozaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
20 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, James Steel!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and William Peck.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel blocks a head kick by Ozaki.
Ozaki definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ozaki misses with a low kick.
Ozaki lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ozaki misses with an uppercut. Steel saw that one coming.
Steel connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Steel 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.
Ozaki throws a right hand that Steel ducks under and follows up with a left that Steel also avoids with ease.
Ozaki looks to land a right hand but Steel moved out of range.
Ozaki throws a jab when Steel was well out of range.
Steel tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A clash of legs there as Ozaki blocks the low kick.
Ozaki scores with a nice right hand.
Steel checks a leg kick.
Ozaki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Steel forces Ozaki back against the cage and clinches.
Ozaki throws a head punch that misses.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ozaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Steel.
Ozaki tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ozaki misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Steel.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozaki prevents the takedown attempt.
Ozaki can't find room to land a body shot as Steel controls the action.
Ozaki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ozaki pushes Steel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Ozaki fails to land.
Steel lands a nice shot to the body.
Steel blocks an uppercut.
Good body shot from Steel.
Ozaki misses with a punch on the inside.
Steel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ozaki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ozaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Steel misses with a punch to the body.
Steel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steel is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ozaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Steel is pressed up against the cage. Ozaki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Steel down to the mat. Steel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Steel moves away from the strike by Ozaki.
Ozaki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ozaki thows a left - swing and a miss!
A punch combination from Ozaki misses.
The fighters circling - Ozaki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Steel throws out a powerful jab.
Steel wants to clinch up but Ozaki keeps it at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd cheers as Steel lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ozaki doesn't seem phased though.
Steel tests Ozaki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Takeru Ozaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ozaki defending well as Steel loads up on a big left hand.
Good exchange - Ozaki coming out on top.
Steel scores with a takedown into Ozaki's guard.
Ozaki is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Ozaki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Steel stops a takedown attempt from Ozaki.
Ozaki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Steel pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takeru Ozaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ozaki tries a head kick but it misses.
Steel lands with a cross.
Steel moves out of range as Ozaki strikes.
Ozaki keeps the fight on the outside.
Ozaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Steel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ozaki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Steel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ozaki misses with an uppercut
and Ozaki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big left from Ozaki misses.
A jab from Steel does it's job there.
Ozaki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Steel is trying to defend but Ozaki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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!
Steel is trying to get back to full guard.
Steel is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ozaki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steel is trying to get back to full guard.
Steel is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ozaki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ozaki's back!
Ozaki is really stuck here.
Ozaki trying to control but not successfully.
I really don't envy Ozaki right now.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steel really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Ozaki.
Ozaki is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
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 Takeru Ozaki will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
The crowd cheers as Steel lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ozaki doesn't seem phased though.
Steel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Steel lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Steel feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ozaki's calf.
Ozaki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A jab from Steel does it's job there.
Ozaki looks to land a right hand but Steel moved out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Steel misses.
Ozaki loads up on a big right hand but Steel slips the punch.
Danga de danga de dang - Steel scores with a four punch combination!
Steel moves out of range as Ozaki strikes.
Steel staying out of range there.
Steel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steel scores with a nice strike.
James Steel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ozaki throws an off balance right hand
and Steel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ozaki misses with an uppercut. Steel saw that one coming.
Steel throws a lazy right hand but Ozaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozaki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ozaki dives in and grabs Steel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Steel pushes down on Ozaki's head and hops out.
Ozaki misses the jab.
A swing and a miss from Steel.
Ozaki throws a leg kick but Steel sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ozaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Steel.
A jab from Ozaki misses.
Ozaki connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Steel on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Steel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ozaki.
Steel let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Steel moves out of range as Ozaki strikes.
Steel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Steel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jab, jab by Ozaki - just one landing.
Steel lands a slapping body shot.
Steel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ozaki as he avoids it easily.
Ozaki scores with a leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Steel checks a leg kick.
A big left from Steel misses.
As Steel backs away, Ozaki returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ozaki tries for a takedown but Steel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Steel! But no joy.
Steel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Steel lands a shot to the body.
Ozaki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Ozaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ozaki misses with a body punch.
Steel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ozaki's elbow.
Steel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ozaki tries a body shot but Steel blocks it.
Steel tries to work over Ozaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ozaki misses with a punch on the inside.
Steel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ozaki's elbow.
Ozaki breaks from the clinch.
Steel looking to score a takedown here. Ozaki is defending well but Steel drives through and ends up in Ozaki's guard.
Ozaki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Steel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Steel stopping the sweep attempt from Ozaki.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ozaki trying to keep a closed guard but Steel is proving a slippery customer.
Steel looking to pass the guard.
Ozaki seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Steel postures up.
Steel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Steel passes Ozaki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ozaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Steel seems to be working for a kimura but Ozaki defends the submission attempt.
Steel is looking for a kimura here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ozaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Ozaki wants to stand back up but Steel manages to pass into side control.
Ozaki can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steel looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ozaki is trying to improve his position.
Ozaki is working hard here to advance position.
Ozaki is not content to let Steel control the position.
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 fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ozaki throws out the jab.
Steel cracks Ozaki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ozaki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ozaki throws a hook but Steel blocks it.
That kick from Ozaki tenderised Steel's leg. Steel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Steel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ozaki ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
Steel fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel ducks under a wild hook from Ozaki.
Steel jabs Ozaki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ozaki throws out a loose jab but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
A bone on bone clash there as Steel blocks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ozaki dodges the punch combination from Steel.
Steel slips a jab from Ozaki.
Ozaki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Steel can pounce on him.
Ozaki throws an overhand right that lands on Steel's shoulder, as Steel tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Ozaki.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ozaki misses with a looping right.
Ozaki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steel.
Ozaki looks to land a left hand but Steel moved out of range nicely.
Ozaki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ozaki tries to score with a low kick but Steel moves his leg out of the way.
Steel throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Steel darts in looking for a takedown but Ozaki gets double underhooks and turns Steel into the cage.
Ozaki misses with an uppercut. Steel saw that one coming.
Ozaki misses with a low kick.
Ozaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Steel defending well as Ozaki loads up on a big left hand.
Steel cracks Ozaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ozaki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ozaki loads up on a big right hand but Steel slips the punch.
Steel was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ozaki misses with a straight right.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice shot by Ozaki.
Steel misses with the combination.
Ozaki throws an off balance right hand
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ozaki throws the left hand but Steel avoids the punch easily.
Ozaki swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ozaki throws a lazy uppercut
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Steel walks into a left hand.
Nice sprawl there from Ozaki as Steel shoots in.
Ozaki shoots and misses
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Steel fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ozaki checks it well.
A good leg kick by Steel.
Ozaki looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ozaki misses with a leg kick
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A low kick from Ozaki is predictable there
letting Steel counter with a right hand.
Ozaki jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ozaki throws a poor cross that misses
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.
Ozaki thows a left - swing and a miss!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ozaki throws the left hand but Steel avoids the punch easily.
Steel slips a jab from Ozaki.
A slapping leg kick lands for Steel.
Steel walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ozaki misses with a left hand
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Steel slips a straight right by Ozaki.
Ozaki throws a head kick that Steel semi-blocks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ozaki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Ozaki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ozaki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ozaki throws a poor cross that misses
and Steel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Steel connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ozaki is looking to chop away at Steel's legs.
Steel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ozaki misses with a looping left.
Ozaki lands a leg kick that knocks Steel off balance momentarily.
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!
Ozaki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steel's waist but Steel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ozaki off to one side.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ozaki moves out of range as Steel strikes.
Ozaki tried to counter with a leg kick but Steel avoided it.
Ozaki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ozaki gets tackled into the cage by Steel. Steel maintains the clinch.
Steel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steel stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ozaki misses with some punches.
Steel is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Ozaki can't fight it off and eventually Steel manages to take the fight to the floor. Ozaki looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Steel postures up.
Steel is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ozaki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ozaki keeping full guard, as Steel tries to pass.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ozaki has his hands on Steel's head, controlling the position.
Steel wants to control from the top but Ozaki keeps moving.
And that's the end of the fight!
James 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Steel!
Post fight, an emotional James Steel said 'I want William Wallace. That's all I have to say'.
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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
68% |
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