PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between sonny bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). bishop comes to the cage accompanied by ard boddy. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

bishop
vs
Steel

225 cm
23
300 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

195 cm
21
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, sonny bishop!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Dick Steel!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Steel closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
bishop wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Steel working the head and body with strikes.
Steel lands a few punches from side control.
bishop is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steel in side control lands a decent elbow.
Steel scoring with punches from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Steel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Steel trying to control the position but bishop is working away.
bishop is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Steel is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. bishop knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Steel scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Steel postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
bishop tries to bench press Steel off him but Steel keeps the position.

Steel goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, bishop has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Steel but great work by bishop.
bishop will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Steel regains half guard.
bishop throwing shots but Steel is blocking nicely.
Steel tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
bishop is thwarting Steel's attempts to control the position.
Steel looks gassed!
Steel wants to improve his position but bishop is controlling well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. bishop connects with a nice short shot to Steel's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Steel throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
bishop trying to control the action but Steel is working from the bottom.
Steel landing strikes from the bottom.
Steel has hold of bishop's hands but bishop slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
bishop thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Steel's head.
Steel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Steel.
bishop throwing strikes from guard but Steel blocks nicely.
bishop scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Steel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
bishop wanted to stand there but Steel had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel looking for a sweep. Not yet Steel, not yet.
Steel will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Steel lands some strikes from the bottom.
Steel striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Steel has a closed guard, preventing bishop from standing up.
bishop connects with a couple of short punches.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Steel scores a takedown into full mount!
The referee warns bishop that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Steel with a couple of short strikes.
A nice elbow there by Steel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
bishop is desperately trying to improve his position but Steel has a good base and remains in mount.
A nice elbow there by Steel.
Steel lands a big elbow.
bishop is desperately trying to improve his position but Steel has a good base and remains in mount.
Steel unloading with bombs!
Steel lands a big elbow.
Steel connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Steel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
bishop is trying to escape the mount.
A nice elbow there by Steel.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
bishop tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A nice elbow there by Steel.
Steel in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Steel dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Steel looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for bishop!
bishop is in a horrible position here. Steel smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
bishop regains half guard.
Steel throwing shots but bishop is blocking nicely.
bishop on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if bishop tries to get out of the position.
bishop missing with punches from the bottom.
bishop taking some punishment here, with Steel in his half guard.
Steel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
bishop flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Steel is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Steel lands strikes from half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Steel looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Steel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Steel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. bishop defending well though.
bishop has hold of Steel's hands but Steel slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Steel is nestled in close to bishop, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
bishop regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Steel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

bishop throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
bishop tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Steel lands a couple of elbows.
Steel is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Steel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of bishop's head.
Steel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
bishop can't keep his opponent in guard - Steel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Steel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed bishop's head.
Steel working bishop over with strikes.
bishop gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Steel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Steel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. bishop is keeping the position for now.
Steel stopping the sweep attempt from bishop.
Steel trying to control the position from guard on top but bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Steel stands and steps away. bishop gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Steel gets a takedown into half guard.
bishop wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
bishop is refusing to be controlled, as Steel sits in half guard.
Steel winds up and cracks bishop with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
bishop taking some punishment here, with Steel in his half guard.
bishop is trying to stand up here but Steel is controlling him well.

Steel stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows bishop to get to his feet.

Steel closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Steel landing a few strikes.
bishop knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Steel on the ground.
Steel working the ground and pound.
bishop is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Steel's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Steel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Steel closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Steel keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
bishop wants to get back to his feet.
Steel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
bishop is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Steel scores with a couple of nice shots.

Steel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. bishop doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Steel.
The fighters are battling for position here. bishop manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Steel working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of bishop's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
bishop throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Steel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Steel trying to control but bishop is working from the bottom.
Steel with a flurry of punches that miss.
Steel won't allow bishop to get back to his feet.
Dick Steel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Steel connects with a couple of short punches.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Steel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Steel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has bishop pinned against the cage. bishop gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A punch lands to the side of Steel 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Steel looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
bishop looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
bishop looking to control.
Steel lands a couple of elbows.
Steel lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Steel lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Steel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Steel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Steel working some strikes from top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
bishop lands a nice leg kick that just misses Steel's sensitive parts.

Steel shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
bishop has momentary wrist control but Steel slips an elbow through the middle.
Steel working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of bishop's head.
Steel is working bishop over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Steel postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
bishop striking off his back.
Steel stops bishop from standing up.
Steel distracts bishop with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Steel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
bishop is looking to sweep but instead, Steel has passed into half guard.
Steel landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Steel working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Steel prevents bishop from improving his position.
Steel looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks bishop with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Steel lands with a punch from half guard.
Steel winds up and cracks bishop with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
bishop is trying to control but can't.
Steel scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Steel working the head and body with strikes.
Steel takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
bishop is looking for a sweep. Steel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ground and pound from Steel.
Steel lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Steel lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Steel really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

bishop stuffs the takedown attempt from Steel. Steel gets slowly back to his feet.
bishop slips under a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Steel. No joy for bishop on that attempt.

Steel scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
bishop blocking the ground and pound attempt from Steel.
Steel scoring with strikes to the body and head.
bishop is trying to stand back up but Steel is controlling him
bishop tries to get to full guard but Steel has control of the leg.
Steel working over bishop with some ground and pound. bishop looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Steel lands with a punch from half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Steel lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
bishop trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
bishop tries to clinch there but Steel circles away.

Steel looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Steel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
bishop has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Steel is working away from the top position though.
Steel working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Steel.

Steel wants to work for an arm triangle but bishop is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Steel lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
bishop wants to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Steel scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Steel stops bishop from getting back to his feet.
Steel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Steel drops an elbow to the side of bishop's head.
Steel is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Steel slips a nice elbow through bishop's hands, connecting with bishop's forehead.
bishop trying to hold on to Steel's head to control him but Steel postures up.
Nice strikes from Steel there.
Steel winds up and cracks bishop with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Steel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel working over bishop with some ground and pound. bishop looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
bishop is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Steel scores with a couple of nice shots.
Steel scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Steel.

Steel is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so bishop is just riding it out for now. Steel eventually gives up the hold.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Steel connects with a nice short shot to bishop's temple.
Steel missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Steel working bishop over with strikes.

Steel looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
bishop lands a jab-cross combination.
Dick Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from bishop.
sonny bishop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Steel fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. bishop sprawls well initially but Steel persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
bishop looks like he's trying to stand up.
Steel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Steel is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Steel seems to be looking for submissions.
bishop is staying active underneath Steel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Steel dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

bishop tries to close the distance and clinch but Steel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
bishop catches Steel with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Horrible takedown by Steel or perhaps it was just good defense by bishop which made him look bad.
Steel fails to land the takedown.
Steel has his takedown stuffed

and bishop counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by bishop.
sonny bishop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick Steel.
bishop jumps guard but Steel stands there with bishop around his waist. bishop gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Steel tries for a takedown but bishop manages to get underhooks.
bishop is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

bishop breaks from the clinch.
bishop scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Steel fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. bishop sprawls well initially but Steel persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Steel blocks the strikes from bishop.
bishop is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
bishop tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Steel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nice strikes from Steel there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Steel lands a nice short elbow.
Steel working bishop over with strikes.
bishop wants to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Steel feints and as bishop raises his hands in defense, Steel changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Steel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Steel won't allow bishop to sweep him here.
bishop is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Steel with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Steel makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel is looking to work some ground and pound but bishop has wrist control.
bishop wants to stand but Steel is controlling the position.

Steel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

bishop gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Steel postures up in bishop's guard and throws a big left but bishop blocks it.
Steel scoring with punches to the head and body.
Steel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Steel gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Steel shoots in but bishop avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Steel shoots in looking for a takedown. bishop tries to sprawl out of it but Steel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. bishop manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
bishop tries to clinch there but Steel circles away.
Steel avoids the head kick by bishop.

Steel feints and as bishop raises his hands in defense, Steel changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Steel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dick Steel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Steel prevents bishop from getting back to his feet.
bishop tries to land a sweep but no joy.
bishop wants to get back to his feet but Steel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Steel controls from within his opponent's guard.
bishop keeping moving, preventing Steel from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
bishop looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Steel pushes down on bishop's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Steel is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Steel lands a nice short elbow.
bishop is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Steel scores with a couple of nice shots.
sonny bishop has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
bishop tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dick Steel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Steel 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 45:50
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dick Steel! Dick Steel retains his super heavyweight title!