PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mr Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mads Nordskov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nordskov has chosen Fugle as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Steel
vs
Nordskov

165 cm
22
144 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

171 cm
22
138 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mads Nordskov!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A head kick misses from Nordskov.
Nordskov throws a body shot but no joy.
A counter left hand to the body from Steel misses its target.

Steel moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Nordskov fails to land.
Nordskov misses with a punch to the body.
Steel misses with some punches.

Nordskov breaks from the clinch.
Nordskov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Steel will feel that in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nordskov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little feinted left hand from Steel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Steel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nordskov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nordskov flicks out a counter leg kick but Steel steps away.
Nordskov digs a good hook to Steel's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel lands a head shot.
Nordskov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Steel doesn't seem bothered though.
Steel ducks under a wild hook from Nordskov.
Steel misses with a looping right.
Nordskov throws a fast counter high kick but Steel manages to duck under it in time.
Nordskov looks to score with a jab to the body but Steel is just out of range.
Nordskov throws a sloppy body shot
and Steel counters with a stiff right hand.

Steel darts in and clinches Nordskov up against the cage.
Nordskov misses with a punch on the inside.
Nordskov struggles to land a body shot inside as Steel controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov lands a right hand.
Steel tries to throw a body punch but Nordskov avoids it by throwing Steel back against the cage.
Nordskov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steel lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nordskov misses with a punch on the inside.
Nordskov misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steel prevents a body shot from Nordskov.
Nordskov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nordskov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nordskov misses with some punches.
Steel blocks a body shot from Nordskov.
A head punch on the inside from Nordskov fails to land.
Nordskov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Steel backwards.
Nordskov misses with a body punch.
Steel misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nordskov throws a head punch that misses.
Our sources have told us that Steel has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Nordskov tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nordskov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nordskov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nordskov can't find room to land a body shot as Steel controls the action.
Nordskov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nordskov wants to get back to striking at distance but Steel won't allow it.
Nordskov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nordskov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nordskov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Steel tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nordskov avoids it.
Nordskov misses with a punch to the body.
Steel tries to throw a body punch but Nordskov avoids it by throwing Steel back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel wants to stall.
Nordskov swings wildly with an uppercut but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steel with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nordskov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nordskov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nordskov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Steels head.
A nice left hand lands by Nordskov.
Nordskov misses with some punches.
Steel tries to land a knee to the head but Nordskov blocks with his arms.
Nordskov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Nordskov fails to land.
Steel is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nordskov is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mads Nordskov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nordskov misses with an uppercut
and Steel counters with a straight right hand.
Steel cracks Nordskov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Steel avoids the head kick by Nordskov.
Steel appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Steel pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nordskov is out of range and Steel settles back down.
Nordskov scores with a body shot.
Nordskov throws a head kick that misses
and Steel counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nordskov scores with a jab. Steel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nordskov just misses with a punch to the body.
Steel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nordskov throws a looping overhand right but Steel ducks down to avoid it.
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nordskov throws out the jab.
Steel tried to counter with a leg kick but Nordskov avoided it.
Nordskov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nordskov misses with an uppercut.
Steel swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nordskov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Nordskov lands a big head kick that sends Steel tumbling to the mat! Nordskov takes a step backwards and waves Steel back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Steel is rocked!

It looks like Mr Steel has been cut.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nordskov.
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!
A bone on bone clash there as Steel blocks the leg kick.
Mads Nordskov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Steel wants to clinch.
Nordskov tries a quick counter leg kick but Steel is wise to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Steel tries to clinch but Nordskov moves out of range.
Steel tries to clinch up
and Nordskov counters with a low kick, right behind Steel 's knee.
Nordskov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Steel rather than just go for the knockout.
Steel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nordskov is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Steel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Nordskov counter with a right hand.
Nordskov lands a nice looking body kick.
Steel scores with a nice right hand.
Nordskov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nordskov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steel avoids the head kick by Nordskov.
Nordskov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nordskov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Steel misses with a hook. Nordskov ducked under it nicely.
Nordskov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Steel at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel moves forwards but Nordskov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nordskov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Steel pushes Nordskov up against the cage in a clinch.
Steel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nordskov's efforts to push away.
Nordskov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steel blocking some punches.
Mads Nordskov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Steel trying to land knees to the body.
Steel blocks a body shot from Nordskov.
Nordskov tries a body shot but Steel blocks it.
A body shot lands from Nordskov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mads Nordskov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mr Steel'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. This is the final round!

Nordskov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Steel takes the fight into the clinch.
Steel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nordskov.
Nordskov throws a punch but it's blocked by Steel.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Steel blocking some punches.
Nordskov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nordskov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nordskov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nordskov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nordskov connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nordskov throws a shot to the body.
Nordskov swats away the attempt to clinch by Steel.
Nordskov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nordskov misses with a low kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Steel misses its target.
Steel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Nordskov in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Steel is looking to clinch but Nordskov is avoiding it.
Nordskov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nordskov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Steel will feel that in the morning.
Nordskov misses with a body punch
and Steel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nordskov counters with a stiff right hand.
Mr Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steel tries to clinch up but Nordskov circles away and keeps his distance.
Nordskov is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Nordskov looks to throw a body kick
and Steel counters with a nice uppercut.
Nordskov fakes the leg kick and cracks Steel in the body.
Nordskov throws a looping overhand right but Steel ducks down to avoid it.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nordskov.
Steel throwing a counter right hand but Nordskov manages to avoid it.
Mads Nordskov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nordskov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nordskov looks to land a left hand but Steel moved out of range nicely.
As Nordskov looks to move away, Steel throws a big counter combo but Nordskov just gets out of the way.
Steel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nordskov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nordskov misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Steel wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nordskov.
Steel misses with a two punch combination.
Nordskov throws out a counter right but Steel avoids it with no problem.
Nordskov throws a body kick that misses.
Steel wants to clinch up but Nordskov keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov misses the jab.
Steel appears to be looking for a big counter.
Steel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nordskov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nordskov connects with a jab.

Steel clinches up with Nordskov and pushes him back against the cage.
Nordskov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel's elbow.
Nordskov wants to break free but Steel has control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nordskov breaks from the clinch.
Mads Nordskov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Steel doesn't manage to clinch there - Nordskov circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mads Nordskov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nordskov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mads Nordskov!
Mads Nordskov thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Mr Steel stepped up to the mic, saying 'Shit. '.