PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Stepp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rainer Zufall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stepp's entrance music is Wherever I May Roam . A fine choice. Zufall is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Rammstein - Sonne. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stepp
vs
Zufall

193 cm
22
218 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
219 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Rebel Pride Clothing. Everything in STOCK $5

Hilo Nutrition

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 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Steven Stepp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rainer Zufall!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepp on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Stepp dips to his left and cracks Zufall with an uppercut!

Zufall scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stepp is trying to stand up here but Zufall is controlling him well.
Zufall wants to control but Stepp is keeping him busy.
Stepp is trying to stand.
Zufall is thwarting Stepp's attempts to control the position.

Zufall is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stepp is trying to stand.
Zufall throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Stepp to regain full guard.
Zufall trying to control the position from guard on top but Stepp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zufall not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stepp is on top in guard.
Zufall is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Stepp avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zufall wants to sweep here but Stepp controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepp in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zufall 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zufall looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stepp won't allow Zufall to sweep him here.
Stepp pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zufall is keeping the position for now.
Zufall manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Stepp is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Stepp is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Stepp is looking to improve his position but Zufall isn't that keen on the idea.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zufall throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Stepp because Zufall loaded up on that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stepp somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Zufall lands with a nice body punch.
Zufall throws a lazy right hand but Stepp sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zufall moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Stepp uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zufall.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stepp connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zufall momentarily.
Zufall moves out of range of the strikes.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Zufall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steven Stepp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zufall misses with a hook
and Stepp counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Zufall misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stepp misses with a hook.

Zufall shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Zufall was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Stepp is trying to stand.
Stepp holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Zufall tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Stepp wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zufall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepp manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Zufall looking for a submission but Stepp manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Zufall loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stepp looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zufall throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stepp wants to stand but Zufall is controlling the position.
Zufall is fighting to break Stepp's control of his arms but Stepp is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zufall trying to stand up but can't free himself from Stepp's guard.
Stepp is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zufall is controlling him.
Stepp keeping full guard, as Zufall tries to pass.
Zufall postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Steven Stepp just wasn't active enough.
Zufall throws a head kick but Stepp moves out of range.
Zufall throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Zufall looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zufall tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Stepp manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Stepp takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A punch lands to the side of Zufall 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zufall tries to clinch but Stepp is having none of it.
A telegraphed right hand from Zufall misses the target.
Stepp avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Zufall enables Stepp to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Zufall manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stepp throwing strikes from guard but Zufall blocks nicely.
Stepp scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zufall has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Stepp has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rainer Zufall will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zufall leaves Stepp with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stepp keeps the fight on the outside.

Zufall rushes Stepp and presses him up against the cage.
Zufall fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stepp has had enough of the clinch but Zufall keeps him there for the moment.
Zufall struggles to land a body shot inside as Stepp controls his hands.
Zufall connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Steven Stepp has been cut.
Stepp drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zufall gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stepp is trying to break the clinch but Zufall has him pressed against the cage.
Zufall tries to land a knee to the head but Stepp blocks with his arms.
Zufall softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zufall looking to throw knees to the head but Stepp is blocking nicely.
Zufall swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zufall struggles to land a body shot inside as Stepp controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zufall.
Zufall misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zufall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zufall misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Stepp.
Zufall lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stepp tries to break free but Zufall pushes him back against the cage.
Zufall tries to throw a body punch but Stepp avoids it by throwing Zufall back against the cage.
Stepp is trying to break free.
Zufall utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Zufall lands a right hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zufall.
A short left from Zufall.
Stepp is working for takedown but Zufall is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Stepp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zufall unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zufall lands an elbow inside.
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!
Zufall lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stepp backwards.
Zufall lands an elbow inside.
Stepp is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zufall lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zufall works on Stepp's body with a couple of short punches.
Zufall misses with an elbow over the top.
Zufall scores with a shoulder strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zufall.
Zufall lands a shot to the body.
Zufall lands an elbow just above Stepp 's eye.
Zufall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zufall lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stepp backwards.
Zufall is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stepp is defending well for now.
Stepp blocks a body shot from Zufall.
Zufall using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stepp has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stepp blocks a body shot from Zufall.
Stepp drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zufall pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stepp throws a hook but Zufall avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Stepp misses the target.
Zufall is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zufall lands a head kick!
Stepp avoids the head kick by Zufall.
Stepp throws a nice looking combination but Zufall bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stepp uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zufall swinging wildly here.
Zufall jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zufall misses the shot to the body.
A combination from Stepp does no damage.
Stepp misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stepp keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zufall.
A big right from Stepp misses.
Stepp throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stepp pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stepp lands a jab.
Steven Stepp is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zufall scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stepp in his tracks.
Stepp dives in and grabs Zufall's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zufall pushes down on Stepp's head and hops out.
Stepp throws a right and a left that Zufall avoids nicely.
Stepp throws a series of punches but Zufall moves out of range.
Zufall tries to clinch but Stepp moves out of range.
Zufall defending well as Stepp loads up on a big left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stepp lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zufall backs up against the cage.
Zufall ducks under a wild hook from Stepp.
Zufall shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zufall moves out of range as Stepp strikes.
Stepp misses with a hook.
Stepp throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zufall clobbers Stepp with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zufall looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stepp throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zufall fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stepp manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rainer Zufall showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steven Stepp's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Stepp displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zufall throws out the jab.
Zufall throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stepp avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zufall slips under a jab from Stepp.
Stepp thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stepp scores with a jab. Zufall acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zufall on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Zufall shoots in and drives through. Stepp sprawls well.
Zufall ducks under a wild hook from Stepp.
Zufall connects with the punch.
Zufall throws a body punch but Stepp moves out of range.
Zufall blocks a jab.
Stepp scores with the left hand. Zufall knows he should have avoided that one.
Zufall swings for the body but Stepp moves out of range.
Zufall misses with a looping right.
Zufall walks into a left hand.
Stepp changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zufall tries to avoid it but Stepp manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zufall to the ground. Zufall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zufall throws a body punch but Stepp moves out of range.
Zufall scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepp lands a nice shot to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stepp.
Zufall defending well as Stepp loads up on a big left hand.
Stepp takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zufall misses with a looping right.
Zufall throws a leg kick but Stepp moved away.
Stepp shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zufall sprawls well. Zufall wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stepp gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Stepp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zufall moves out of range as Stepp strikes.
Zufall slips under a jab from Stepp.
Zufall ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stepp steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zufall.
Stepp is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Jab by Zufall.
Zufall defending well as Stepp loads up on a big left hand.
Zufall takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepp shoots in but no luck this time.
Zufall is looking to clinch but Stepp is avoiding it.
Stepp tries for a takedown but Zufall sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stepp stuffs the takedown attempt from Zufall. Zufall gets slowly back to his feet.
Zufall shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stepp sprawls well. Stepp wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zufall gets slowly back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stepp looks for a takedown but Zufall sprawls well.
Stepp gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice defenses there by Zufall.
Zufall bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheers as Stepp lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zufall doesn't seem phased though.
Zufall tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zufall uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stepp.
Stepp misses with a looping right.
Zufall paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepp keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zufall is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stepp misses with a series of wild punches.
Zufall keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stepp.
Stepp throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Zufall counters with a right hand to the body.
Zufall moves away from the strike by Stepp.
Zufall avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stepp avoids the body shot from Zufall.

Zufall drives through with a takedown into Stepp's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Stepp wants to get back to his feet but Zufall is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zufall postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zufall wants to control from the top but Stepp keeps moving.
Zufall makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zufall is looking to work some ground and pound but Stepp has wrist control.
Zufall missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stepp keeping moving, preventing Zufall from controlling successfully.
Zufall looking to pass the guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zufall being controlled here momentarily.
Rainer Zufall has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zufall trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stepp controls Zufall momentarily but Zufall frees himself.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zufall throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stepp manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zufall manages to get himself to full guard.
Zufall will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Stepp working some strikes from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rainer Zufall.
I've got Zufall 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 Donald Grub scores the fight for Rainer Zufall!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Rainer Zufall!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Rainer Zufall!

Rainer Zufall wins by unanimous decision!
After the big win, Rainer Zufall made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Hilo Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.