PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Dragao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Steeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mark Steeler is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Dragao
vs
Steeler

187 cm
18
245 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

193 cm
22
275 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoto Dragao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Steeler!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steeler scores with a shot to the body.
Dragao takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Steeler lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Steeler connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Dragao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Steeler bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Steeler cracks Dragao with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Steeler lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Steeler throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dragao stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dragao throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steeler's waist but Steeler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dragao off to one side.
Dragao shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Dragao shoots in looking for a takedown. Steeler tries to sprawl out of it but Dragao keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Steeler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dragao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steeler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dragao looks to land a body kick but Steeler moved away.
Steeler lands a glancing blow to the side of Dragao's head.
Steeler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Steeler moves into range and connects with a jab.
Steeler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dragao tries to clinch there but Steeler circles away.
Dragao tries to clinch but Steeler moves out of range.
Steeler shoots in for a takedown but Dragao shows good takedown defense.
Steeler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dragao wants to clinch up but Steeler keeps it at a distance.
Steeler lands a with a good body shot.
Dragao could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Steeler lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steeler lands a head shot.
Steeler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Steeler scores with a one two! Dragao had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Dragao shoots in and drives through. Steeler sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyoto Dragao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dragao on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Steeler with a nice cross.
Dragao fails with a takedown attempt.
Steeler scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Dragao takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Dragao tries to clinch but Steeler is having none of it.
Steeler tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dragao sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Steeler somewhat.
Steeler with a nice cross.
Steeler swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragao.
Dragao throws a head kick that half lands.
Steeler scores with a nice right hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dragao trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragao misses with a punch to the body.
Steeler managing to block the knees to the body from Dragao.
Dragao keeps control of Steeler as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dragao is working for takedown but Steeler is calmly controlling the position for now.
Steeler lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dragao connects with a nasty looking knee right to Steeler's face.
Dragao is breathing heavily.
Steeler can't break the clinch.
Dragao prevents Steeler from breaking the clinch.
Dragao unloads a knee to the mid-section. Steeler lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dragao. Steeler does a little dance to reset his feet.
A left lands for Steeler.
Lyoto Dragao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab lands there for Steeler.
Dragao tries a head kick but it misses.
Steeler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Steeler misses with an uppercut.
Steeler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Donk. Steeler catches Dragao right on the button with a cross.
Steeler keeps the fight on the outside.
Dragao looks for a takedown but Steeler sprawls well.
Steeler connects with a single shot there.
Steeler's corner calls for a 1-2. Steeler obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Dragao closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steeler on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Steeler wants a takedown.
Dragao tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dragao prevents Steeler from breaking the clinch.
Steeler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Steeler is trying to force a seperation but Dragao has the dominant position.
Dragao swings wildly with an uppercut but Steeler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dragao is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Steeler is keeping busy.
Dragao can't find room to land a body shot as Steeler controls the action.
A left hand lands to the body for Steeler.
Dragao tries to throw a body punch but Steeler avoids it by throwing Dragao back against the cage.
Dragao tries to work over Steeler's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steeler looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steeler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dragao. Steeler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dragao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steeler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steeler scores with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Dragao.
Steeler misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dragao tries a head kick but it misses.
Dragao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steeler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dragao has a takedown stuffed.
Steeler is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Dragao had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's four 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.
Dragao tries to clinch up but Steeler circles away and keeps his distance.
Steeler 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.
Dragao shoots in for a double leg but Steeler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Steeler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steeler lands a nice looking body shot.
Steeler cracks a nice hook into Dragao's ribs.
Dragao shoots in but no luck this time.
Dragao takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Dragao tries to close the distance and clinch but Steeler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steeler scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Steeler uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Steeler scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Dragao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragao takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dragao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Dragao gets a clinch.
Dragao can't find room to land a body shot as Steeler controls the action.
Dragao misses with some punches.
Dragao goes for a takedown in the clinch but Steeler prevents it.
Nice body punch from Steeler - that landed with a thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Steeler dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dragao wants to clinch up but Steeler keeps it at a distance.
Steeler connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Dragao's hands.
Mark Steeler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dragao moves in looking to clinch but Steeler pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dragao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steeler swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dragao.
Dragao takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Steeler throws a jab but it's blocked by Dragao.
Steeler shoots for a takedown but Dragao saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dragao doesn't manage to clinch there - Steeler circles away.
No joy there for Steeler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Steeler throws a shot from downtown. Dragao moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Steeler misses.
Dragao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragao tries to clinch up but Steeler circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Steeler.
Nice body punch from Steeler.
Steeler is breathing heavily.
Dragao throws a head kick that misses.
Dragao lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Mark Steeler has been cut.
Steeler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dragao lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
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!
Steeler leaves Dragao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Dragao here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steeler keeps the fight on the outside.
Dragao wants to clinch up but Steeler keeps it at a distance.
Dragao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragao misses with a head kick.
Steeler is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Dragao doesn't manage to clinch there - Steeler circles away.
Dragao tries to clinch there but Steeler circles away.
Dragao tries to clinch but Steeler moves out of range.
Dragao wants to clinch.
Dragao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dragao fails with the takedown.
Steeler throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Steeler keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dragao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dragao misses with a head kick.

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.
Steeler lands with a straight right. Dragao didn't see that one coming.
Dragao throws a head kick but Steeler moves out of range.
Steeler lands with a nice body punch.
Steeler lands with an overhand left.
Steeler lands a head shot.
Steeler scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Dragao doesn't manage to clinch there - Steeler circles away.
Dragao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Steeler keeps the fight on the outside.
Dragao looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyoto Dragao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good standup being displayed there by Steeler as he connects with a hook.
Steeler scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Dragao doesn't seem bothered though.
Dragao wants to clinch.
Dragao shoots in looking for a takedown. Steeler tries to sprawl out of it but Dragao keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Steeler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Steeler scores with a crisp jab that stopped Dragao in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragao avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dragao tries to clinch up but Steeler circles away and keeps his distance.
Steeler avoids the head kick by Dragao.
Dragao wants to clinch.
Dragao throws a head kick but Steeler moves out of range.
Dragao looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Steeler bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dragao's head backwards.
Steeler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick misses from Dragao.
Steeler lands a head shot.
Dragao lands a head kick. Steeler smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Dragao gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Dragao on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Steeler throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Dragao is looking to clinch.
Dragao fails to land the takedown.
Steeler lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dragao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steeler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steeler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dragao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragao is looking to clinch but Steeler is avoiding it.
Dragao throws a head kick but Steeler moves out of range.
Dragao takes a jab right on the kisser.
Dragao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dragao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Steeler scores with the left hand. Dragao knows he should have avoided that one.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dragao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Dragao closes the distance and clinches.
Steeler is trying to break the clinch but Dragao has him pressed against the cage.
Steeler prevents a body shot from Dragao.
Dragao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dragao stops a takedown attempt from Steeler.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dragao. Steeler does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Dragao dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mark Steeler's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Steeler throws out a loose jab but Dragao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steeler slaps away a takedown attempt from Dragao, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Steeler tests Dragao's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Steeler connects with a single shot there.
Dragao slaps away a takedown attempt from Steeler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dragao shoots for a takedown but Steeler saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dragao tries to clinch but Steeler is having none of it.
A head kick misses from Dragao.
Steeler swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dragao.
Steeler works over Dragao's head and body with a nice combination.
A jab lands there for Steeler.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dragao closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Steeler on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Steeler prevents a body shot from Dragao.

Dragao breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dragao is looking to clinch.
Nice jab there from Steeler.
Dragao looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steeler jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Steeler lands a nice looking body shot.
Dragao is looking to clinch but Steeler is avoiding it.
Dragao wants to clinch.
Steeler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dragao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steeler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dragao tries to close the distance and clinch but Steeler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steeler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Steeler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Dragao moves into the clinch.
Dragao misses with a punch to the body.
Dragao misses with a body punch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Dragao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dragao misses with a punch to the body.
Steeler trying to stall but Dragao improves his position.
Steeler lands a right hand.
Steeler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dragao trying to land knees to the body.

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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dragao. Steeler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dragao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dragao uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Steeler.
Steeler lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Dragao shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Steeler as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyoto Dragao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steeler blocks a head kick by Dragao.
Dragao is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Steeler.
Steeler connects with a nice looking jab.
Dragao misses with a head kick.
Dragao wants to clinch.
Dragao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Steeler pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dragao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A left lands for Steeler.
Dragao tries to clinch but Steeler is having none of it.
Dragao tries to clinch but Steeler moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragao takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Dragao tries to clinch up.
Dragao tries to clinch up but Steeler circles away and keeps his distance.
Steeler swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragao.
Steeler stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Dragao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dragao tries to clinch there but Steeler circles away.
Steeler lands a two punch combo.
Dragao is looking to clinch but Steeler is avoiding it.
Steeler swats away the attempt to clinch by Dragao.
A head kick misses from Dragao.
Steeler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dragao as he jumps to the side.
Steeler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dragao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steeler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dragao tries to clinch but Steeler moves out of range.
Dragao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dragao walks into a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dragao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dragao walks into a straight right hand from Steeler.
Steeler with a jab.
Dragao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Steeler is fending him off so far but Dragao persists. Nope, Steeler circles away and we're back to standing.
Steeler connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dragao momentarily.
Dragao avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Steeler connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Dragao tries to clinch there but Steeler circles away.
Steeler jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Dragao tries to clinch there but Steeler circles away.
Dragao tries to clinch up but Steeler circles away and keeps his distance.
Dragao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steeler with a nice cross.
Dragao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Steeler as he jumps to the side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Steeler scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dragao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steeler scores with a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Steeler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Steeler 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Steeler!