PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vartan Mamikonyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mamikonyan has chosen True Armenian Hero as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Steele
vs
Mamikonyan

196 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Good gas tank

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Stefan Steele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vartan Mamikonyan!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steele avoids the head kick by Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan moves out of range of the leg kick from Steele.
Steele bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mamikonyan's head backwards.

It looks like Vartan Mamikonyan has been cut.
A head kick misses from Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mamikonyan throws a sloppy head kick and Steele moves out of range easily.
Mamikonyan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Steele throws a right and a left that Mamikonyan avoids nicely.
Mamikonyan wants to clinch.
Mamikonyan tries to move into range but Steele moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mamikonyan fails with an attempt to clinch.

Steele steps into range and cracks Mamikonyan with a monster punch that buckles his knees! Mamikonyan flops backwards and Steele dives into his guard looking to finish!

Mamikonyan is rocked!
Steele advances position into side control!
Mamikonyan is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Steele is looking to advance position but Mamikonyan won't allow it.
Mamikonyan regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mamikonyan is keeping the position for now.
Steele would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Mamikonyan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Steele defends well.
Steele pushing down on Mamikonyan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Steele with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mamikonyan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mamikonyan keeping full guard, as Steele tries to pass.
Mamikonyan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Steele looking to pass the guard.
Steele will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steele stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Steele will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mamikonyan lands a high kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mamikonyan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mamikonyan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Steele.
Mamikonyan with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Steele to score with a decent uppercut.

That has opened up Vartan Mamikonyan's cut even more.

Steele gets the takedown into side control.
Mamikonyan tries to improve position but can't.
Steele tries to advance to mount but can't.
Steele trying to control the position but Mamikonyan is working away.
Steele controlling the position.
Mamikonyan is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Steele off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mamikonyan working for a choke but Steele is defending well.

Mamikonyan looking to break Steele's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Steele remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Mamikonyan will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Mamikonyan looking for the choke but no joy.

Mamikonyan is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan wants to control but Steele is keeping busy.
Mamikonyan gets his hands free as Steele looks to control.

Steele manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
Good leg kick by Mamikonyan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed right hand from Steele misses the target.
Mamikonyan throws a nice head kick!
Steele swats away the attempt to clinch by Mamikonyan.
A solid body kick from Mamikonyan.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan moves out of range as Steele strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mamikonyan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mamikonyan throws a sloppy head kick and Steele moves out of range easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mamikonyan enables Steele to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mamikonyan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Mamikonyan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stefan Steele dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vartan Mamikonyan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Steele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Steele throws a jab when Mamikonyan was well out of range.
A head kick from Mamikonyan lands but Steele takes it in his stride.
Mamikonyan throws a head kick but Steele moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Steele throws an overhand right that lands on Mamikonyan's shoulder, as Mamikonyan tries to avoid the shot.
Steele throws a series of punches but Mamikonyan moves out of range.
Steele throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mamikonyan throws a head kick that misses.
Steele avoids the head kick by Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan throws a sloppy head kick and Steele moves out of range easily.
Mamikonyan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A big left from Steele misses.
Steele blocks a head kick by Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Mamikonyan throws a head kick that misses.
Mamikonyan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steele circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steele misses with a wild combination.
Mamikonyan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Steele.
Mamikonyan is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No joy there for Steele, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mamikonyan slips a straight right by Steele.
Mamikonyan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Steele tries to work over Mamikonyan's front leg with a kick but Mamikonyan checks it.
Steele takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick misses from Mamikonyan.
Steele lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Steele is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Mamikonyan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mamikonyan ducks under a wild hook from Steele.
Steele scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Steele connects with a nice looking jab.

The cut above Vartan Mamikonyan's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steele avoids the head kick by Mamikonyan.
Nice defenses there by Mamikonyan.

Mamikonyan gets caught napping as Steele dives in and scores a takedown. Mamikonyan manages to retain guard.

Mamikonyan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Steele gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Steele looking to pass the guard.
Steele has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele is working hard here to advance position.

Steele got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mamikonyan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Steele has managed to get both his arms back between Mamikonyan's legs - danger averted.
Stefan Steele overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Mamikonyan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Steele doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Steele manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Mamikonyan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Steele defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele tries to free his leg and advance position but Mamikonyan is retaining full guard.
Steele showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Steele wanted to stand there but Mamikonyan had control of the position.
Mamikonyan keeping full guard, as Steele tries to pass.
Mamikonyan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Mamikonyan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Steele can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Steele looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mamikonyan's guard.

Mamikonyan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Steele pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mamikonyan is keeping the position for now.
Steele wants to control from the top but Mamikonyan keeps moving.
Steele content to stall in guard here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steele trying to control the position from guard on top but Mamikonyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stefan Steele will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vartan Mamikonyan's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Mamikonyan gets caught napping as Steele dives in and scores a takedown. Mamikonyan manages to retain guard.

Mamikonyan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Steele tries to free his leg and advance position but Mamikonyan is retaining full guard.
Mamikonyan trying to control the position.

Mamikonyan looking for a guillotine here but Steele defends easily.
Steele looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele trying to control but Mamikonyan is working from the bottom.
Steele stands and throws Mamikonyan's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mamikonyan is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Steele off and has taken his back!

Steele fending off the submission attempt from Mamikonyan.

Mamikonyan is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Steele has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Mamikonyan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mamikonyan is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Steele knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Steele for a finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan gets his hands free as Steele looks to control.

Mamikonyan has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Steele is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mamikonyan is trying to stick to Steele's back but Steele is turning into Mamikonyan. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Mamikonyan's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Steele.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan keeping moving, preventing Steele from controlling successfully.
Steele passes Mamikonyan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Mamikonyan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Steele prevents Mamikonyan from improving his position.
Steele tries to stand but can't do so whilst Mamikonyan controls his leg.
Mamikonyan trying to control but Steele postures up.
Steele is pressing down on Mamikonyan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mamikonyan is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mamikonyan keeps working.
Steele passes to full mount!
Mamikonyan can't escape the position.
Steele tries to take Mamikonyan's back but instead Mamikonyan uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Steele wants to free his trapped foot but Mamikonyan is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Mamikonyan looking for submissions off his back.
Vartan Mamikonyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mamikonyan actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vartan Mamikonyan.
Well Steele has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Stefan Steele!