PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Estevan Ledesma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ledesma comes to the cage accompanied by Mark Ronson ft Q-Tip - Bang Bang. Steel comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Survivor - Burning Heart kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ledesma
vs
Steel

179 cm
20
210 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI
SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Estevan Ledesma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Steel!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Russell Pearce and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ledesma avoids a punch combination nicely.
Steel misses with a looping left.
Steel moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Ledesma shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Steel is trying to defend but Ledesma finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steel is not content to let Ledesma control the position.
Ledesma moves nicely into side control.
Ledesma working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Ledesma scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Steel to see if he's OK.
Steel gets back to half guard.
Steel regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ledesma.
Steel keeping full guard, as Ledesma tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Ledesma from controlling successfully.
Steel wants to sweep here but Ledesma controlling him for the moment.
Steel pulls Ledesma in close to his closed guard and prevents Ledesma from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ledesma trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Steel 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ledesma tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Steel swivels and escapes.
John Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ledesma shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Steel throws a series of punches but Ledesma avoids them all with ease.
Steel throws a good cross that connects.
Steel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steel lands a nice looking body shot.
Steel with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Steel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Steel throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Steel lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Steel misses with the combination.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Steel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ledesma.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws an overhand right that lands on Ledesma's shoulder, as Ledesma tries to avoid the shot.
Steel getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ledesma displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.
Nice takedown defense from Steel. No joy for Ledesma on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Estevan Ledesma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big right from Steel misses.
Steel misses the jab.
Steel swings for the body but Ledesma moves out of range.
Steel lands a head shot.
Steel throws a hook to the side of Ledesma's head but Ledesma sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Steel misses with the combination.
Steel with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Steel misses with an uppercut.
Steel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ledesma.
Steel stuffs the takedown attempt from Ledesma. Ledesma gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel lands a jab to the head.
A punch combination from Steel misses.
Steel just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Steel.
Steel misses with a few strikes there.
Steel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A punch combination from Steel misses.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Steel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Steel misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ledesma shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steel but Steel pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Steel missing with a left hand there. Ledesma was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ledesma blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Steel dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ledesma looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Steel is fending him off so far but Ledesma persists. Nope, Steel circles away and we're back to standing.
Steel swinging wildly here.
Steel connects with a looping right hand.
A big left from Steel misses.
Ledesma uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steel.

Ledesma decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Steel is trying to maintain the position but Ledesma is very close to passing his half guard.
Steel tries to get to full guard but Ledesma has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Steel is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ledesma's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ledesma's back!
Steel throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Ledesma grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel missing with strikes from the back.
Steel has good solid back control here.
Steel struggling to keep hold of the position.
Steel has good solid back control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Steel wasn't active enough on the ground.
Some wild striking there from Steel.
Steel throws a hook but Ledesma avoids it easily.
Steel connects with the punch.
Ledesma shoots in looking for a takedown but Steel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ledesma's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ledesma moves out of range of the strikes.
Steel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
John Steel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steel takes a swing at Ledesma's ribcage but misses.
John Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Estevan Ledesma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Steel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ledesma shoots for a takedown but Steel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ledesma circles away quickly and effectively.
Steel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ledesma sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ledesma slips a jab and a cross from Steel.
Steel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice defenses there by Ledesma.
Steel throws a right and a left that Ledesma avoids nicely.
Ledesma uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ledesma slips under a jab from Steel.
Ledesma moves out of range of the strikes.
A slow jab from Steel misses its intended target.
Nice shot lands for Steel.
Steel swings for the body but Ledesma moves out of range.
Steel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ledesma avoids a punch combination nicely.

Ledesma bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ledesma misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ledesma trying to control the position but Steel is working away.
Ledesma sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Steel is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Ledesma.
Steel misses with a two punch combination.
Ledesma slips a jab and a cross from Steel.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel throws a jab when Ledesma was well out of range.

Ledesma closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ledesma content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Steel tries to kick Ledesma off but Ledesma keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ledesma seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Steel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ledesma lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steel is controlling Ledesma's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Ledesma wants to take a breather but Steel is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ledesma is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Steel is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Ledesma perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Estevan Ledesma.
Ledesma on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Steel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ledesma.
Steel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ledesma.
A right-left combo lands from Steel.
John Steel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ledesma circles away quickly and effectively.
Ledesma tries to score a power double leg takedown but Steel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ledesma somewhat.
Steel missing with a left hand there. Ledesma was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel misses with a body shot.
Steel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ledesma shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steel but Steel pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Estevan Ledesma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ledesma displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.

Ledesma throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Steel tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ledesma is in Steel's guard.
Steel controls Ledesma momentarily but Ledesma frees himself.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Ledesma from controlling successfully.
Ledesma tries to free his leg and advance position but Steel is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ledesma wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.
Steel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Ledesma from controlling successfully.

Estevan Ledesma has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Steel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ledesma circles away quickly and effectively.
Ledesma walks into a stiff left hand from Steel.
Steel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Steel swinging wildly here.
Steel looks to land a combination but Ledesma avoids it well.
Some wild striking there from Steel.
Ledesma slips a jab from Steel.
Estevan Ledesma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four 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.
Steel throws a jab but it's blocked by Ledesma.
Steel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ledesma.
Steel connects with a crisp jab.
Ledesma shoots in and drives through. Steel sprawls well.

Ledesma drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Steel struggling a bit here.
Ledesma wants to control but Steel is keeping him busy.
John Steel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Steel manages to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Steel.
I've got Steel winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Steel!