PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Bridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bridge
vs
Steel

175 cm
26
185 lbs
18 - 12 - 1

182 cm
23
187 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Bridge!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Steel!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Steel misses.
Steel misses with a combination

and Bridge counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bridge won't allow Steel to get back to his feet.
Bridge sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Bridge.

Steel gets a clinch.
Steel prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bridge takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Bridge instigates a clinch.

Bridge breaks from the clinch.
Steel lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Bridge clinches up with Steel and pushes him back against the cage.

Bridge pulls guard effortlessly.
Bridge wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.
Steel tries to free his leg and advance position but Bridge is retaining full guard.
Steel would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Bridge wants to sweep here but Steel controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel postures up in Bridge's guard and throws a big left but Bridge blocks it.
Bridge is trying to control the position but Steel postures up.
Steel preventing the sweep.
Bridge controls Steel momentarily but Steel frees himself.
Bridge throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Steel wants to stand but Bridge is controlling his posture from full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Steel misses with a leg kick

so Bridge counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Steel has his feet on Bridge's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bridge tries to score a power double leg takedown but Steel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bridge somewhat.
An inside leg kick lands from Steel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bridge counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bridge sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Steel pushes Bridge off looking to stand but Bridge dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

John Bridge has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Steel tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bridge counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bridge content to stall in guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because John Bridge wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Steel tries to clinch but Bridge moves away

and Bridge counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bridge dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Steel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Bridge decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Steel's guard.
Steel wants to stand up but Bridge is controlling him.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Steel has his feet on Bridge's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Steel wants to clinch up but Bridge keeps it at a distance.
Bridge shoots for a takedown but Steel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Steel gets caught flat footed, as Bridge shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bridge controls from within his opponent's 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.
Bridge won't allow Steel to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridge looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

We're going to have a standup here because John Bridge wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Bridge slips a jab and a cross from Steel.
Steel looks to clinch

and Bridge counters with a single leg into guard. Steel didn't expect that.
Bridge tries to free his leg and advance position but Steel is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bridge gets to his feet. Steel looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Steel throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bridge counters by clinching up.

Bridge escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steel wants to clinch but Bridge slips to the side

and Bridge counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bridge.
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!
Bridge controlling from the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bridge pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Steel is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Bridge dives into side control.
A lull in the action here as Bridge stalls from top position.

Bridge goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Steel rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Bridge's guard! Nice work there by Steel!

That's four 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.
Bridge looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bridge manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Steel manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bridge dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A low kick from Steel misses

and Bridge moves into the clinch.
Bridge has had enough of the clinch but Steel keeps him there for the moment.
Bridge tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Steel blocking some punches.

Bridge breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bridge is looking to clinch.
Steel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bridge tries to avoid it but Steel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bridge to the ground. Bridge escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A head kick by Bridge misses

and Steel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Steel.
Bridge looking for a sweep. Not yet Bridge, not yet.
Steel controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bridge looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bridge has his foot on Steel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Steel works his way back into a safe position though.
Bridge not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Steel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Steel decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Steel tries to clinch up

and Bridge holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bridge wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Steel looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bridge prevents Steel from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel tries to circle away but Bridge has him pinned against the cage.

Bridge breaks the clinch.
Steel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bridge fails with a takedown attempt.
John Bridge is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steel misses with a double jab
and Bridge counters with a nice uppercut.
Bridge checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nice sprawl there from Steel as Bridge shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bridge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bridge counters by clinching up.
Bridge tries to pull guard but Steel won't allow it.

Steel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel fails with the takedown

and Bridge counters with a nice double leg into side control. Steel won't be happy with that.
Steel wants to get back to his feet but Bridge drags him back down.
Bridge taking a breather here.
Steel wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Steel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel is being controlled here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because John Bridge wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Steel cracks the inside of Bridge's front leg.

Bridge scores a takedown into full mount!
Steel's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but John Bridge did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Steel tries to clinch up

and Bridge counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Steel's guard now.
Bridge trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bridge trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Bridge not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
John Bridge overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Bridge wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bridge takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like John Bridge has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steel. Bridge does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steel fails with a takedown attempt.
Bridge misses with a takedown attempt - Steel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Steel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Bridge counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bridge.

Bridge breaks from the clinch.
Steel throws a leg kick
and Bridge counters with a big head kick but Steel shrugs it off.
Bridge shoots in looking for a takedown but Steel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bridge's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Steel throws a leg kick

and Bridge counters with a takedown into side control.
Steel is trying to get back to his feet.
Steel is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bridge is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Steel's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Steel trying to remain calm as Bridge controls from the top position.

John Bridge has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Bridge shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Steel as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bridge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel tries to close the distance and clinch but Bridge swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steel's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Steel duly obliges.
Bridge shoots in but no luck this time.
Bridge looks for a takedown but Steel sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridge has a takedown stuffed.
Steel with a poor takedown

and Bridge counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Steel!
Steel squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bridge controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Steel is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bridge had his way with John Steel in that round.
The cut man is working on John Bridge's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bridge is looking to clinch but Steel is avoiding it.
Steel throws a combination that misses

and Bridge decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Steel's guard.
Bridge is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steel can do to turn this around?
Steel being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Bridge just wasn't active enough.
Steel throws a leg kick that is checked

and Bridge counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Steel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bridge is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridge tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Steel just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bridge jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Steel walks away with a smile on his face. Bridge gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bridge tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Steel swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bridge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel misses with a takedown attempt

and Bridge counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Steel wants to stand but Bridge is controlling the position.
Steel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bridge stays in close to Steel's body and controls the position.
John Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Bridge is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Bridge wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Steel gets caught flat footed, as Bridge shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bridge won't allow Steel to get back to his feet.
Bridge controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Bridge wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Bridge fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Steel, pushing him back against the cage.

Bridge manages to break the clinch.
Bridge fails with the takedown.
Steel throws a right hand that misses
and Bridge counters with a three punch combo that has Steel backing up. Steel nods at Bridge to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridge misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Steel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bridge moves away.

Bridge shoots in and bounces Steel off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Steel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bridge is controlling him.
Bridge is standing up over Steel. Steel looks to escape but Bridge dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel is trying to get back to his feet.
Steel is being controlled here.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Bridge showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bridge, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 50:45
Judge George Francis scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Bridge!
John Bridge retains his middleweight title!