PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miralem Pjanic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steamboat kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dragon Fire. Miralem Pjanic will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Steamboat
vs
Pjanic

180 cm
21
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
178 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Rastafarii Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ricky Steamboat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Miralem Pjanic!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pjanic misses with a double jab.

Steamboat scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Pjanic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Steamboat off and has taken his back!
Steamboat tries to break free.
Steamboat manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pjanic's guard. Nice work there by Steamboat.
Steamboat throws a big right hand that misses.

Steamboat drops back looking for a leg! Pjanic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pjanic manages to kick Steamboat off! Steamboat jumps back into Pjanic's guard.

Pjanic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Steamboat gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Steamboat is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Steamboat thows a big elbow that misses.
Pjanic wants to sweep here but Steamboat controlling him for the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pjanic throws a right hand that Steamboat ducks under and follows up with a left that Steamboat also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Steamboat.
Sloppy strikes there by Steamboat.

Steamboat tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Steamboat is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pjanic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Steamboat is breathing heavily.
Pjanic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pjanic manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Steamboat missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pjanic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pjanic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Steamboat.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steamboat is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Steamboat postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Steamboat trying to control but Pjanic is working from the bottom.

Pjanic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Steamboat is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Steamboat is looking to work some ground and pound but Pjanic has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat trying to control the position from guard on top but Pjanic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pjanic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Pjanic does no damage.

Steamboat shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Steamboat prevents Pjanic from improving his position.
Pjanic keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Steamboat is trying to work for a kimura but Pjanic is defending well.
Pjanic looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pjanic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Steamboat loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pjanic lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Steamboat!
Steamboat swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Steamboat is desperately trying to improve his position but Pjanic has a good base and remains in mount.

Steamboat defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Pjanic.
Steamboat is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Pjanic moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Steamboat has worked his arm free - good work by Steamboat!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Steamboat closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Steamboat is working for a kimura but Pjanic is defending it quite comfortably.

Pjanic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Steamboat is looking to advance position but Pjanic won't allow it.
Pjanic is looking to get back to full guard here but Steamboat has managed to pass to side control instead.
Steamboat misses with a head shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pjanic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Steamboat thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Pjanic manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Steamboat 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.

Steamboat is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pjanic is just riding it out for now. Steamboat eventually gives up the hold.

Steamboat is working for a submission of some sort.
Steamboat has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pjanic is trying to get back to full guard.
Pjanic wants to get back to full guard but Steamboat has mounted him!

Steamboat working for a submission but Pjanic is keeping him at bay.

Steamboat is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Pjanic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Pjanic is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Steamboat prevents Pjanic from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Pjanic because Steamboat loaded up on that one.
Steamboat throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Pjanic because Steamboat loaded up on that one.

Steamboat working for a guillotine from mount but Pjanic is in no mood to give up.
Pjanic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Steamboat throwing strikes here but Pjanic is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Pjanic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pjanic slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Steamboat is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Steamboat is looking to advance position but Pjanic won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Steamboat is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Pjanic is pressing down on Steamboat's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Steamboat wants to pass the guard but Pjanic is keeping the position.

Pjanic working for submissions but it's allowed Steamboat to get to half guard.
Ricky Steamboat overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pjanic looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Steamboat 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Pjanic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pjanic moves away from the strike by Steamboat.
Pjanic throws a right and a left that both miss.

Steamboat shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Steamboat was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Steamboat throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Steamboat sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Steamboat wants to finish this one by submission but Pjanic is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Steamboat.
Pjanic is working to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steamboat looking to finish Pjanic with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pjanic!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pjanic can't escape the position.

Steamboat working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Pjanic is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Steamboat looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Steamboat is working for a guillotine from mount but Pjanic frees his head quite easily.
Pjanic holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Steamboat tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Pjanic working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Pjanic defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Steamboat.
Pjanic is trying desperately to improve position.
Steamboat throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Pjanic is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Steamboat is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Pjanic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Pjanic blocking the ground and pound.
Steamboat unloads with some shots from mount but Pjanic bucks and avoids them well.
Pjanic manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pjanic slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Pjanic working for a triangle but Steamboat defends it easily.
Pjanic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Steamboat manages to get himself to full guard.

Pjanic postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Steamboat is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pjanic, into his guard.

Pjanic looking for a guillotine here but Steamboat defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steamboat drops back looking for a leg! Pjanic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pjanic manages to kick Steamboat off! Steamboat jumps back into Pjanic's guard.
Pjanic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pjanic can't keep his opponent in guard - Steamboat advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Steamboat is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Steamboat 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Steamboat showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Steamboat 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 Andi Peters scores the fight for Ricky Steamboat!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for Ricky Steamboat!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Ricky Steamboat!

Ricky Steamboat wins by unanimous decision!