PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Merlin Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Steggman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Church
vs
Steggman

187 cm
19
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Merlin Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Christian Steggman!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Church gets tackled into the cage by Steggman. Steggman maintains the clinch.
Steggman working Church over with knees to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Steggman.

Steggman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steggman falls off balance throwing a combination
and Church makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Steggman really felt that one!
Church fails with the takedown.

Steggman moves into the clinch successfully.
Church is trying to pull guard but Steggman has him pressed against the cage.
Church fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Merlin Church. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steggman lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steggman unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Church is breathing heavily.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Steggman takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Steggman gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Church regains guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Steggman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Steggman's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Church is looking to stand up but Steggman isn't so interested in that idea.

Christian Steggman has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Steggman shoots in and gets a takedown into Church's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Steggman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steggman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Church, up you get!

Steggman clinches with his opponent.
Steggman manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Steggman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Steggman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Church, pushing him back against the cage.
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!
Steggman presses Church against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Church wants to break the clinch but can't.

Steggman breaks the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Steggman.

Steggman rushes Church and presses him up against the cage.
Steggman lands with a right to the head.

Church is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Church wants to get back to striking at distance but Steggman won't allow it.
Oh Church is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Steggman breaks the clinch.

Steggman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Steggman lands a big knee to the head and Church goes down! Steggman pounces and finishes the fight with strikes! He jumps to his feet and celebrates with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:15 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Christian Steggman!