PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Santino Carelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Stepp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carelli comes into the arena with La vittoria è mia blaring out of the sound system. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Carelli
vs
Stepp

175 cm
19
167 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

174 cm
19
164 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Santino Carelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Stepp!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepp dodges the punch combination from Carelli.
Carelli lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stepp backs up against the cage.

It looks like Mark Stepp has been cut.
Stepp looks to land a right hand but Carelli moved out of range.
Carelli throws a series of punches but Stepp avoids them all with ease.
Stepp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Carelli swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mark Stepp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stepp dodges the punch combination from Carelli.

Stepp has Carelli up against the cage in a clinch.
Stepp throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stepp taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Carelli has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stepp avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stepp misses with a knee to the head.
Carelli blocks an uppercut.
Stepp lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Carelli backwards.
Stepp lands with a short shot to the head.
Stepp lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepp working aggressively here.
Knees to the body from Stepp.
Stepp throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stepp doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Carelli changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stepp fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stepp closes the distance but Carelli moves to the side
and Carelli counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Carelli has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Stepp finds it's way round the side to connect with Carelli's head.
Carelli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Carelli catches Stepp with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Carelli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Carelli connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stepp momentarily.
Stepp tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carelli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Stepp clinches up with Carelli and pushes him back against the cage.
Carelli managing to block the knees to the body from Stepp.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stepp breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Carelli swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepp dodges the punch combination from Carelli.
A looping hook to the body misses from Carelli. Stepp does a little dance to reset his feet.
Carelli throws a body punch but Stepp moves out of range.
A combination from Carelli does no damage.
Carelli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Carelli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stepp tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carelli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stepp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Stepp gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Stepp breaks from the clinch.
Stepp doesn't manage to clinch there - Carelli circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Carelli, as that shot connected.
Carelli connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stepp's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carelli keeps the fight on the outside.
Carelli closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Stepp is looking to clinch.
Stepp takes a swing at Carelli's ribcage but misses.
Carelli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Carelli stuns Stepp with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stepp looks to land a right hand but Carelli moved out of range.
Carelli throws a hook to the side of Stepp's head but Stepp sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Stepp has Carelli up against the cage in a clinch.
Stepp tries a knee to the head but Carelli blocks it.
Stepp misses with some punches.
Carelli drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santino Carelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stepp tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carelli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stepp tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stepp.
Stepp prevents a takedown attempt there.
Stepp lands a body shot.
Carelli is looking to take this one to the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Stepp - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Carelli is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stepp lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Carelli is trying to drag Stepp to the mat but Stepp just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Carelli has Stepp pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stepp manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A right hook to the body lands for Stepp.
Stepp is pushing Carelli up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mark Stepp will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mark Stepp's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stepp tries to clinch but Carelli is having none of it.
Carelli scores with a body shot.
Stepp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Carelli steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stepp.
Stepp closes the distance looking to clinch
and Carelli counters with a three punch combo that has Stepp backing up. Stepp nods at Carelli to acknowledge the strikes.
Carelli throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stepp.
Stepp scores with a leg kick.
Stepp fails with an attempt to clinch.

Carelli gets tackled into the cage by Stepp. Stepp maintains the clinch.
Stepp gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Carelli.
Carelli has Stepp pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stepp manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stepp breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Carelli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Carelli throws a right hand that Stepp ducks under and follows up with a left that Stepp also avoids with ease.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch but Carelli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stepp looks to clinch
and Carelli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stepp moves in looking to clinch but Carelli pushes him off.
Stepp tries to clinch but Carelli is having none of it.
Stepp moves in looking to clinch but Carelli pushes him off.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch but Carelli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Carelli swings for the body but Stepp moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Stepp breaks from the clinch.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch but Carelli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stepp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stepp throws the left hand but Carelli avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stepp clinches up against the cage.
Carelli blocks an uppercut.
Stepp swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Carelli tries for a takedown but Stepp manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santino Carelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stepp looking to throw knees to the head but Carelli is blocking nicely.

Stepp manages to break the clinch.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch but Carelli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Carelli connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stepp's hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stepp clinches up against the cage.
A short right from Stepp.
Stepp tries a knee to the head but Carelli blocks it.
Carelli looking for a takedown.
Stepp lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Carelli is looking to take this one to the mat.
A short right from Stepp.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carelli is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Stepp is defending well.
Carelli wants to take the fight to the mat but Stepp manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Carelli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stepp tries a knee to the head but Carelli blocks it.
Carelli is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stepp pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stepp has Carelli pushed against the cage.

Stepp escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Carelli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Carelli throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stepp stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Stepp tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carelli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stepp swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Carelli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Stepp has managed to clinch.
Stepp with a knee to the head.
Stepp misses with a knee strike.
Mark Stepp seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepp doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stepp tries to work over Carelli's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Carelli can't get the takedown.
Stepp throws a head punch that misses.

Stepp escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Carelli circles away from the clinch attempt
and Carelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Carelli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stepp rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Carelli counters with a two punch combo.
Stepp tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carelli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stepp tries to clinch there but Carelli circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carelli misses with a hook.
Stepp tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carelli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Carelli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Stepp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mark Stepp'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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Some wild striking there from Carelli.
Stepp misses with a right hand
and Carelli counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Carelli takes a swing at Stepp's ribcage but misses.
Stepp takes one to the side of the head.
Stepp doesn't manage to clinch there - Carelli circles away.
Stepp is looking to clinch but Carelli is avoiding it.
Stepp tries to clinch
and Carelli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Good standup being displayed there by Stepp as he connects with a hook.
Nice uppercut lands for Carelli. That snapped Stepp's head back.
Carelli connects with a looping right hand.
Stepp tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Carelli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stepp thinking.
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!

Stepp clinches with his opponent.
Stepp tries to land a knee to the head but Carelli blocks with his arms.
Carelli can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carelli is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stepp landing knees to the head.
Stepp misses with a punch to the body.
Stepp looking to throw knees to the head but Carelli is blocking nicely.
Carelli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Carelli changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stepp fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santino Carelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big left from Stepp misses.
Stepp tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Carelli makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Stepp closes the distance and clinches.

Stepp's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Carelli throws a series of punches but Stepp moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Carelli throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stepp moves in looking to clinch but Carelli pushes him off.
Carelli tries to bum rush Stepp with a series of wild strikes but Stepp uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Carelli does no damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stepp tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carelli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Carelli swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stepp doesn't manage to clinch there - Carelli circles away.
Stepp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Carelli misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stepp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stepp looks to throw the jab but Carelli is out of range.
Stepp fails in his attempt to clinch.
Carelli throws a looping overhand right but Stepp ducks down to avoid it.
Stepp connects with a body shot that sends Carelli's belly button to the back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stepp fails with an attempt to clinch.
Carelli throws a right hand that Stepp ducks under and follows up with a left that Stepp also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepp is looking to clinch.
Stepp moves to clinch but Carelli breaks away
and Carelli counters with a left and a right that stings Stepp.

Stepp gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Stepp breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Carelli fails to land with a series of punches.
Carelli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stepp moves in looking to clinch but Carelli pushes him off.
Stepp tries to clinch up.

Stepp has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stepp swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stepp lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stepp tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Carelli tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stepp scores with a knee to the head.
Stepp gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Carelli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepp lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stepp gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Carelli.
A short right from Stepp on the inside.
Mark Stepp is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carelli drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stepp gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Carelli has Stepp pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stepp manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stepp tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Good body shot from Stepp.
Stepp scores with a shot to the side of Carelli's head.
Santino Carelli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carelli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Stepp comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stepp 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Stepp!
Mark Stepp looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Thanks to all my fans and my people. Im gonna come out next fight and do the same thing. I dont mean to make it look easy it just comes natural. Im learning in this sport ya gotta mix it up. That's my plans so stay tuned. :P'.