PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jason Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Almer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steele comes to the cage accompanied by The Terminator Theme. Thiago Almer acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Steele
vs
Almer

179 cm
27
175 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

175 cm
24
177 lbs
11 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jason Steele!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Almer!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Thiago Cunha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steele scores with a jab. Almer acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Almer looks for the body kick but Steele saw that one coming.
Thiago Almer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Steele misses.
Steele tests Almer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Steele connects with a good right hand that stumbles Almer. Almer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Steele moves out of range as Almer strikes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Steele closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Almer ducks under a wild hook from Steele.
Almer misses with a left hand
letting Steele counter with a right hand.
Steele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Steele moves out of range as Almer strikes.
Steele connects with a nice looking jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Almer sizes up Steele with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A leg kick checked by Steele.

Steele changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Almer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Check out the look on Steele's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Almer defending against the ground and pound.
Steele sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Almer is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Steele has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Almer sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Steele swings around for an armbar but Almer sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Steele's guard.
Almer won't allow Steele to sweep him here.

Steele looking for a guillotine here but Almer defends easily.

Steele is looking for a triangle but Almer pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steele is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Almer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Steele looking for a guillotine here but Almer defends easily.

Steele looking for subs off his back but Almer has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Steele makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Steele.
Steele striking off his back but it's not causing Almer any problems.

Steele isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Almer stacks Steele on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Almer!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele is looking to regain half guard here but Almer keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steele regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Steele dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Almer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steele.
Almer staying out of range there.
Steele connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Almer's hands.
Steele throws a jab when Almer was well out of range.
Almer lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Almer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Steele's sensitive parts.
Steele on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Almer throws a looping overhand right but Steele ducks down to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Almer.
Almer misses with a body kick.
Almer connects with a solid leg kick.
Almer leaves Steele with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Almer.
Almer misses with a low kick.
Steele takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body kick there by Almer.
Jason Steele is winning the standup battle so far.
Almer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nice straight punches there by Almer. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Almer.
Nice jab there from Steele.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almer misses with a leg kick.
Almer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steele.
Steele shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Almer sprawls well. Almer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Steele gets slowly back to his feet.
The fighters circling - Steele throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Almer connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Almer throws a right hand that Steele ducks under and follows up with a left that Steele also avoids with ease.
Steele is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Almer throws a hook but Steele avoids it easily.
Steele tries to move into range but Almer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Almer throws out a loose jab but Steele uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Almer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Steele dodges the punch combination from Almer.
Almer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steele.
Steele misses with a few strikes there.
Steele misses with a wild combination.
Almer dodges the punch combination from Steele.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele catches Almer with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A slow jab from Steele misses its intended target.
Almer walks into a left hand.
Steele lands with a nice body punch.
A head kick misses from Almer.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Almer.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steele throws out a loose jab but Almer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steele lands the left hand.
Almer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Steele is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Almer.
Almer misses the jab.
Steele paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Steele throws a lazy right hand but Almer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Almer throws a low kick, looking for Steele's leg but Steele calmly moves out of range.
Steele lands with an uppercut that bounces Almer off the cage and back into range.
Steele throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Steele scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almer lands a jab to Steele's midsection.
Almer lands a nice hook to Steele's body. Steele takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Almer misses the shot to the body.
Steele moves out of range of the body kick.
Good exchange - Almer coming out on top.
Steele looks to score with a jab to the body but Almer is just out of range.
Steele takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Almer stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Steele. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Almer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Almer misses with a looping right.
Steele uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Almer has time to react.
Steele steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Almer.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Almer.
Steele fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Steele works the jab nicely.
Almer fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Steele has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Almer looks to score with a jab to the body but Steele is just out of range.
Almer leaves Steele with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Almer scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele misses with a looping left.
Almer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Thiago Almer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steele changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Almer tries to avoid it but Steele manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Almer to the ground. Almer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Almer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steele.
Almer lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Steele takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Steele misses with an uppercut. Almer saw that one coming.
Almer looks to land a right hand but Steele moved out of range.
Almer getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Almer throws a hook but Steele blocks it.
Almer scores with a nice body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice leg kick lands there from Almer.
Almer fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Steele has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Almer goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Almer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Steele looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Almer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Almer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Steele's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice shot lands for Almer.
Steele swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Steele misses the shot to the body.
Steele throws a right hand that Almer ducks under and follows up with a left that Almer also avoids with ease.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Almer, right into the meat.
Almer explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Almer throws a wild body kick that Steele sees coming a mile off.
Almer throws a body kick that misses.
Almer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Almer slips a jab and a cross from Steele.
Almer thows a body kick. Steele tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Almer fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Almer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Steele just misses with a punch to the body.
Steele has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Almer finds it's way round the side to connect with Steele's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good standup being displayed there by Almer as he connects with a hook.

Steele looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Almer!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Almer holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Steele tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele misses with a head shot.
Jason Steele overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Steele raining down shots from the mount!
Steele postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Almer looks a forlorn figure.
Almer is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Steele unloading with bombs!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Almer wants to control but Steele is having none of it.
Steele lands a big elbow.
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!

Steele working for a guillotine from mount but Almer is in no mood to give up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Almer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Almer really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele lands a big elbow.
Steele has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Almer's face.
Steele with a couple of short strikes.

Steele has hold of Almer's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Almer manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Steele unloads with some shots from mount but Almer bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steele postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Almer looks a forlorn figure.
Steele lands a big shot there that rocks Almer but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Steele working for a submission but Almer is keeping him at bay.
Steele lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steele punching from mount but Almer doing a good job of avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Steele clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Steele with a jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Almer. That's going to slow Steele down.
Steele defending well as Almer loads up on a big left hand.
Steele throws a body punch but Almer moves out of range.
A big left from Steele misses.
Steele throws a right and a left that both miss.
Almer scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Steele on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Almer misses with an attempted mid kick.
Steele fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Almer misses with a body kick.
Almer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steele moves away.
Steele misses the jab.
Steele scores with a nice right hand.
Steele throws a shot to the body.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Almer.
Almer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Steele feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Almers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Almer pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almer looks to land a right hand but Steele moved out of range.
Steele is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Almer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Steele connects with a body shot.
Almer slips a jab from Steele.
Almer looks to land a left hand but Steele moved out of range nicely.
Steele throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Almer is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Almer is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Steele.
Almer walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Steele checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Almer throws the left hand but Steele avoids the punch easily.
Almer lands a nice shot that snaps Steele's head back.
Almer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Steele bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Almer's head.
Almer with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Steele shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Almer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Steele misses with an uppercut. Almer saw that one coming.
A cross from Steele lands.
Almer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steele keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Steele will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Steele takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Steele misses with a two punch combination.
Steele moves into range and connects with a jab.
Almer throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Steele stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Almer throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Almer moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Almer misses with an uppercut.
Steele throws a right and a left that Almer avoids nicely.
Steele's jab looks to have found its range, popping Almer under the eye.
Almer scores with a spinning back kick!
Steele moves out of range as Almer throws a body kick.
Steele takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Almer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Almer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steele was well out of range. Poor timing from Almer.
Steele uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Almer.
Steele jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almer scores with a body shot.
Almer blocks a jab.
Steele moves out of range as Almer throws a body kick.
Almer fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Steele.
Steele looks to land a left hand but Almer moved out of range nicely.
Steele swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Almer misses with a hook.
Almer throws a jab but it's blocked by Steele.
Almer throws a push kick but Steele slaps the foot to one side.
Almer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Almer moves out of range of the body kick from Steele.
Steele slips under a jab.
A big right from Steele misses.
Steele takes one to the chin there.
Almer misses with a body shot.
Steele misses with a wild body shot.
Almer throws a front kick that sends Steele stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele misses the shot to the body.
Almer throws an overhand right that lands on Steele's shoulder, as Steele tries to avoid the shot.
Steele dips to his left and cracks Almer with an uppercut!
Almer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steele misses with an uppercut.
Almer throws a wild body kick that Steele sees coming a mile off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steele throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steele stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Almer.
Almer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Almer looks to land a body kick but Steele moved away.
Almer pushes Steele away with a front kick.
Steele ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Almer misses with a hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Almer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steele.
Almer defending well as Steele loads up on a big left hand.
Almer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Almer throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Thiago Almer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Almer motions for Steele to come forward. Almer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Steele misses the target.
Almer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Almer lands a nice shot to the body.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Almer.
Steele misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Almer.
A big right from Steele misses.
Steele connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Steele looks to score with a jab to the body but Almer is just out of range.
Steele jabs Almer to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Almer. That snapped Steele's head back.
Steele takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Almer throws a sloppy head kick and Steele moves out of range easily.
Almer lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Almer blocks a jab.
Almer throws a body kick that misses.
Steele slips a straight right by Almer.
Almer is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Steele takes a swing at Almer's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele throws a jab but it's blocked by Almer.

Steele closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Steele is looking for a kimura here.
Steele throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Steele missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Steele not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Steele seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Steele throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Steele takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Steele is looking for a kimura here.
Almer won't allow Steele to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Steele throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Steele thows a huge punch but Almer dodges it nicely.
Almer avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Steele.
Steele thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Almer's head.
Almer wants to get back to full guard.
Steele throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele lands with a punch from half guard.
Steele throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Steele is trying to work for a kimura but Almer is defending well.
Steele scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Steele is looking for a kimura but Almer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Steele to get the leverage.
Steele missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Steele showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Steele has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 48:47
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Steele!
Jason Steele retains his welterweight title!
After the fight, Jason Steele was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.