PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abraham Valuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valuev comes into the arena with TIMATI blaring out of the sound system. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Valuev
vs
Steele

214 cm
21
300 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

194 cm
23
290 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abraham Valuev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ben Steele!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valuev swats away the attempt to clinch by Steele.
Steele moves in looking to clinch but Valuev pushes him off.
Valuev leaves Steele with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Steele swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valuev misses with a looping right.
Steele looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Valuev.
Steele slips under a jab.
Steele fails with a takedown attempt.
Valuev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Valuev throws a hook but Steele blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Steele fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Abraham Valuev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Steele.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Steele.
Steele slips under a jab from Valuev.
A big right from Valuev misses.
Valuev stuffs the takedown attempt from Steele. Steele gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Steele.
Valuev is looking to land body kicks.

Steele shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Valuev's guard.
Steele postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Valuev keeping moving, preventing Steele from controlling successfully.
Steele is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valuev keeping full guard, as Steele tries to pass.
Steele stays in close to Valuev's body and controls the position.
Valuev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Steele takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Steele will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Horrible takedown by Steele or perhaps it was just good defense by Valuev which made him look bad.
Valuev looks to land a right hand but Steele moved out of range.
Steele tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Valuev swivels and escapes.
Nice uppercut there from Valuev.

It looks like Ben Steele has been cut.
A swing and a miss from Valuev.
Steele tries to close the distance and clinch but Valuev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Valuev misses.
Steele fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Abraham Valuev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Steele.
Steele tries for a takedown but Valuev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valuev throws a hook but Steele avoids it easily.
Steele takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valuev slaps away a takedown attempt from Steele, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Valuev slaps away a takedown attempt from Steele, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Steele is breathing heavily.
Steele loads up on a big right hand but Valuev slips the punch.
Steele looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Valuev is fending him off so far but Steele persists. Nope, Valuev circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valuev closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops Steele! Valuev dives in looking to finish! Steele is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:15 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Abraham Valuev!