PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Steven Gerrard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Imposer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steven Gerrard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gerrard
vs
Imposer

168 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
18
149 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Lightning Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steven Gerrard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Will Imposer!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Chad Campbell and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gerrard throws a series of punches but Imposer avoids them all with ease.
Imposer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gerrard.
Gerrard throws a series of punches but Imposer moves out of range.
No joy there for Gerrard, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gerrard misses with a few strikes there.
Imposer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gerrard circles away.
Gerrard throws a nice looking combination but Imposer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gerrard misses with a wild combination.
Gerrard misses with the combination.
Gerrard fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gerrard lands a nice looking body shot.
No joy there for Gerrard, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Imposer slips under a jab.
Imposer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gerrard throws a series of punches but Imposer moves out of range.
Gerrard throws a right hand that Imposer ducks under and follows up with a left that Imposer also avoids with ease.
Gerrard misses with a takedown attempt

so Imposer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Imposer scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gerrard throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Imposer wants to pass the guard but Gerrard is keeping the position.
Gerrard trying to keep a closed guard but Imposer is proving a slippery customer.
Imposer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Imposer thows a big elbow that misses.
Gerrard 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Imposer looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Imposer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gerrard.
Gerrard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imposer takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gerrard swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Imposer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gerrard is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gerrard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gerrard tries to strike from the bottom.

Imposer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Imposer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gerrard keeping moving, preventing Imposer from controlling successfully.
Gerrard keeping full guard, as Imposer tries to pass.
Imposer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Imposer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Imposer changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gerrard looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gerrard is not content to let Imposer control the position.
Gerrard avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Imposer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Gerrard stops Imposer from passing to mount.

Imposer wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gerrard, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gerrard is trying to improve his position.
Imposer creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Gerrard sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gerrard tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Imposer presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Gerrard is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Imposer looking to control but Gerrard is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gerrard wants to control but Imposer is having none of it.
Imposer prevents Gerrard from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Imposer looking to ground and pound but Gerrard is blocking nicely.
Gerrard gets back to half guard.
Imposer throwing shots but Gerrard is blocking nicely.
Gerrard wants to improve his position but Imposer is controlling well.
Gerrard blocking the ground and pound attempt from Imposer.
Gerrard tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Imposer thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gerrard manages to get to full guard.
Imposer looking to pass the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gerrard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gerrard misses with a two punch combination.
Imposer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Imposer dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Imposer on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gerrard fails with the takedown

so Imposer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Imposer passes Gerrard's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Imposer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gerrard's head.
Gerrard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Imposer connects with a nice short shot to Gerrard's temple.
Gerrard throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Imposer performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Imposer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gerrard moves into full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Imposer pushes down on Gerrard's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Imposer scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Imposer is nestled in close to Gerrard, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Imposer wants to pass to mount but Gerrard is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imposer stalling away here and it's allowed Gerrard to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Imposer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gerrard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gerrard preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gerrard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Imposer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gerrard keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gerrard falls off balance throwing a combination

and Imposer counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gerrard's guard now.
Gerrard wants to sweep but no luck.
Imposer trying to control the position from guard on top but Gerrard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gerrard preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Imposer wants to control from the top but Gerrard keeps moving.
Will Imposer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gerrard striking off his back but it's not causing Imposer any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imposer chips away with some ground and pound.
Imposer throws a big right hand that misses.
Imposer with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Imposer slips a jab from Gerrard.
Gerrard shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Imposer counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Gerrard!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Imposer cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gerrard sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
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!
Gerrard wants to get back to his feet.
Imposer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gerrard is trying to maintain the position but Imposer is very close to passing his half guard.
Gerrard is pressing down on Imposer's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gerrard is on top in guard.
Gerrard postures up in Imposer's guard and throws a big left but Imposer blocks it.

Gerrard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imposer keeping moving, preventing Gerrard from controlling successfully.

Imposer looking for a guillotine here but Gerrard defends easily.
Imposer looking for a sweep. Not yet Imposer, not yet.

Imposer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gerrard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gerrard content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gerrard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Imposer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gerrard.
Gerrard misses the jab.
Gerrard scores with a punch to the head.
Imposer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Imposer takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gerrard falls off balance throwing a combination

and Imposer counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gerrard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Imposer trying to control from Gerrard's half guard. Gerrard has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Imposer wants to pass the guard but Gerrard is keeping the position.
Imposer stands up over Gerrard, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gerrard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gerrard lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Imposer!
Gerrard pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Imposer manages to regain half guard. Good work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Imposer moves into full guard.
Gerrard tries to stand but Imposer is controlling from the bottom.
Gerrard throwing strikes from guard but Imposer blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Imposer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gerrard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Imposer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gerrard throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Imposer counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Gerrard bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Imposer's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gerrard trying to control but Imposer is working from the bottom.
Gerrard won't allow Imposer to sweep him here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Imposer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Imposer striking off his back but it's not causing Gerrard any problems.
Imposer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gerrard is one step ahead there.
Gerrard throws a big right hand that misses.
Imposer throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Gerrard looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gerrard swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Imposer counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gerrard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gerrard bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Imposer's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Imposer is pulling down on Gerrard's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gerrard trying to control the position from guard on top but Imposer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gerrard lands a couple of digs.
Gerrard is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Imposer is trying to keep Gerrard in close.
Imposer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Imposer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gerrard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gerrard preventing the sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Gerrard scores with a jab to the body.
Imposer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gerrard.
Gerrard shoots and misses

and Imposer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Imposer sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gerrard's guard.
Imposer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gerrard defending well though.
Gerrard is refusing to be controlled, as Imposer sits in half guard.
Gerrard is looking to control Imposer's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gerrard avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imposer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gerrard keeps working.

Imposer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Imposer is thwarting Gerrard's attempts to control the position.

Imposer is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gerrard is just riding it out for now. Imposer eventually gives up the hold.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Imposer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gerrard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard lands with a straight right. Imposer didn't see that one coming.
Gerrard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Imposer.
Gerrard scores with a three punch combo!
Gerrard misses with a two punch combination.
Gerrard looks to score with a jab to the body but Imposer is just out of range.
Gerrard misses with a wild body shot.
Gerrard fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Imposer misses with a takedown
and Imposer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gerrard comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gerrard lands a jab-cross combination.

Imposer is rocked!
Gerrard lands a hook that stumbles Imposer back into the cage. Gerrard follows up with a straight and another hook that land right on the button, dropping Imposer to the canvas! Gerrard pounces and lands several unanswered shots - Imposer has had enough and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Steven Gerrard!