PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harry Hole (ranked 1165 p4p, 166 weight class) and Mark Steve (ranked 239 p4p, 38 weight class). Steve is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: XXXTENTACION - Look At Me. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Hole
vs
Steve

182 cm
22
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
210 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harry Hole!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Steve!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Steve moves into the clinch.
Hole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steve leaning against his opponent.
A head punch on the inside from Hole fails to land.
Hole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hole pushes Steve back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short right from Hole on the inside.
Steve tries to throw a body punch but Hole avoids it by throwing Steve back against the cage.
Steve softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Steve lands a body shot in the clinch.
Steve working aggressively here.
Hole misses with a punch on the inside.
Hole scores with a shoulder strike.
Steve tries to stall but Hole uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Steve throws a punch but it's blocked by Hole.
Steve blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Hole.
Steve throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holes head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steve tries to work over Hole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hole can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.
Steve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A bit of stalling here from Steve.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hole misses with a punch on the inside.

Steve pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hole throws a body punch but Steve moves out of range.
Steve bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Steve throws a big shot that misses.

Steve pushes Hole up against the cage in a clinch.
Steve misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hole misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steve blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steve lands with a light punch inside.
Steve looking to stall.
Hole works on Steve's body with a couple of short punches.
Steve softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Steve stalling.
Hole lands a hook that snaps the head of Steve backwards.
Steve misses with a hook to the ribs.
A left hand lands to the body for Hole.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hole throws a punch but it's blocked by Steve.
Hole throws a head punch that misses.
Steve lands with a light punch inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hole.
Steve digs a right hand into Hole's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hole's gas tank.
Steve lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hole backwards.
Hole can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.

Steve breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hole looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hole throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Steve is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Hole lands an overhand right.

Hole clinches up against the cage.
Steve scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Steve swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee calls for Steve to work.
Hole lands a right hand that snaps the head of Steve backwards.

Steve escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steve ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hole showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steve.
Hole throwing a counter right hand but Steve manages to avoid it.
Hole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hole blocks a jab.
Steve scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hole doesn't seem bothered though.
Steve scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
An inside leg kick from Hole misses.
Hole moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Steve throws a right hand that misses
and Hole counters with a left to the body.

Steve drives through and clinches with Hole against the cage.
Steve goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steve lands a right hand.
Still in the clinch, Hole scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hole prevents a body shot from Steve.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve blocks a body shot from Hole.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hole goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hole lands a nice uppercut.
Hole lands a nice uppercut.
Hole lands a right hand.
Steve has Hole pushed against the cage.
Steve throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holes head.
Steve tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hole can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.
Hole struggles to land a body shot inside as Steve controls his hands.
Steve has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hole seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Steve can turn it around.
Steve misses with some punches.
Steve lands a body punch.
Steve goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Steve on the inside.
Hole blocks the elbow strike.
Steve lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch on the inside from Steve fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mark Steve will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fighters circle momentarily. Hole darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Steve throws a poor cross that misses
and Hole counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hole avoids the body shot from Steve.
Hole throws a lazy body kick
and Steve counters with a stiff right hand.
Steve throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hole on the side of the head.
Steve looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Jab by Hole.
Hole buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Good work by Steve as he checks the leg kick.
Hole chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Steve can pounce on him.
Hole dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steve tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hole was well out of range. Poor timing from Steve.
Steve swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hole closes the distance and clinches.
Hole misses with the head strike.
Steve lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Hole fails to land.
Steve lands an elbow just above Hole 's eye.
Hole lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hole blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Steve pushes Hole back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Mark Steve seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hole can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.
Hole throws a punch but it's blocked by Steve.
A short left from Steve.
Steve throws an elbow but it misses.
Hole misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steve lands with a right to the head.
Steve lands a right hand.
Hole has a couple of punches blocked by Steve.
Hole pushes Steve back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hole working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hole tries to throw a body punch but Steve avoids it by throwing Hole back against the cage.
Hole swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hole lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Steve or not.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hole.
Steve tries to throw a body punch but Hole avoids it by throwing Steve back against the cage.
Steve lands a left hand.
Hole lands a left hand.
Hole working aggressively here.
Steve blocks an uppercut.
Hole misses with a body punch.
Hole misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hole tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hole throws a punch but it's blocked by Steve.
Steve swings wildly with an uppercut but Hole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hole has a couple of punches blocked by Steve.
Hole blocking some punches.
A short right from Steve on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve struggles to land a body shot inside as Hole controls his hands.
Hole scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hole can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.
Hole misses with a body punch.
Hole takes a shot to the head.
Steve manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A head punch on the inside from Steve fails to land.
Hole avoids the elbow strike from Steve, against the cage.
Hole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Steve taking a breather.
Steve stalling the fight.
A nice right hand lands inside from Steve.
Hole misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hole tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hole blocks an uppercut.
Steve throws a punch but it's blocked by Hole.
Hole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steve's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steve manages to break the clinch.
Steve swings for the body but Hole moves out of range.
Hole ducks right into an uppercut from Steve.
Steve fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hole manages to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Hole tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steve connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steve looks to score with a jab to the body but Hole is just out of range.
Steve swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hole counters with an outside leg kick.
Steve throws a body shot but no joy.

Hole clinches.
Steve working aggressively here.
Steve misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hole misses with a body punch.
Hole misses with a body punch.
Steve digs a right hand into Hole's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hole's gas tank.
Steve misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mark Steve will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Steve closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Steve rushes Hole and presses him up against the cage.
Hole blocks an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Steve.
Hole lands a nice uppercut.
Hole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hole has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Hole tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Nice body punch from Steve - that landed with a thud.
Steve lands a nice uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Steve fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hole blocks an uppercut.
Steve misses with some punches.
Steve misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steve.
Steve tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hole's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steve manages to break the clinch.

Steve instigates a clinch.
Hole tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Steve tries to throw a body punch but Hole avoids it by throwing Steve back against the cage.
Hole tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Steve throws a punch but it's blocked by Hole.
Hole struggles to land a body shot inside as Steve controls his hands.
Steve lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hole backwards.
Steve digs a right hand into Hole's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hole's gas tank.
A right hook to the body lands for Steve.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hole tries to throw a body punch but Steve avoids it by throwing Hole back against the cage.
Steve lands a body punch.
Steve lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hole tries to throw a body punch but Steve avoids it by throwing Hole back against the cage.
Hole takes a shot to the head.
Steve lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Steve.

Hole is rocked!
Steve taking a breather.
Oh Hole is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hole seems to have got his legs back now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steve doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for Steve.
Hole misses with the head strike.
Steve swings wildly with an uppercut but Hole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steve has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hole works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hole blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hole lands with a light punch inside.
Steve throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holes head.
Steve looking to slow down the pace here.
Steve misses with a short punch on the inside.
Steve tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steve's elbow.
Hole working aggressively here.
Steve tries to work over Hole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve swings wildly with an uppercut but Hole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Come on Steve - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Steve cracks Hole with a nice body shot.
Steve throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holes head.
Hole lands an uppercut.
A short left from Hole.
Steve taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Steve tries to work over Hole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steve stalling in the clinch but Hole improves position.
Steve softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Steve.
Steve swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hole misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steve's elbow.
Hole tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Steve goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve digs a right hand underneath Hole's ribcage. Hole let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Steve tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hole.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steve taking a breather.

Steve breaks the clinch.
Hole loads up on a big right hand but Steve slips the punch.
Steve throws out a powerful jab.
Hole tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Steve counters with a nice uppercut.
Steve swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hole defending well as Steve loads up on a big left hand.
Steve tried to score with a low kick but Hole checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Steve really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Steve scores with a body shot.
Harry Hole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hole avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hole swings widly with a right hand
and Steve counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Hole tries to keep at a distance but Steve has taken the fight into the clinch.
Steve goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steve stalling in the clinch but Hole improves position.
Hole working aggressively here.

Steve breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Steve clinches with his opponent.
Hole pushes Steve back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steve.
Hole swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steve blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steve lands a shot to the body.
Steve lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A hook to the body from Steve.
Good body shot from Steve.
Steve presses Hole against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from Steve.
A short right from Steve.
Steve has Hole pushed against the cage.
Hole tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Steve has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
With the fighters up against the cage, Steve throws an elbow but misses.
Steve cracks Hole with a nice body shot.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hole can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.
Steve lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Steve lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hole prevents a body shot from Steve.
Steve lands a body shot in the clinch.
Steve lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steve lands a hook that snaps the head of Hole backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Steve.
Steve pushes Hole back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Steve stalling.
Steve can't find room to land a body shot as Hole controls the action.
Hole misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steve tries to stall but Hole uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from Hole.
Steve taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Steve lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hole backwards.
Steve goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steve misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Steve lands a left hand.
Steve lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hole.
A body shot lands from Steve.
Steve looking to stall.
A nice left hand lands by Steve.
Steve trying to control the position but instead, Hole has worked for underhooks and has pushed Steve into the cage.
Hole scores with a shoulder strike.
Steve working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Steve on the inside.
Steve lands a nice shot to the body.
Steve lands a nice uppercut.
Steve tries to work over Hole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steve cracks Hole with a nice body shot.
Steve working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hole misses with a punch on the inside.
Hole prevents a body shot from Steve.
Steve manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Steve blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Steve.
Hole tries to throw a body punch but Steve avoids it by throwing Hole back against the cage.

Steve breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steve fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hole looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hole shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Steve has Hole up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Steve.
Hole throws a punch but it's blocked by Steve.
Hole lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Steve dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Steve misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hole feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Hole takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Steve lands a jab to Hole's midsection.
Steve cracks Hole with an open hand slap.
Steve connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Steve throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hole.
Hole takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hole gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steve misses the shot to the body.
Hole appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Steve takes a swing at Hole's ribcage but misses.
Hole doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hole misses the body punch
and Hole takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steve tests Hole's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A punch lands to the side of Hole 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hole thows a leg kick but Steve checks it
and Steve counters with a nice uppercut.
Steve comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Steve scores with a nice right hand.

Steve has closed the distance and engaged Hole in a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Hole.
Hole struggles to land a body shot inside as Steve controls his hands.
Hole blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steve misses with a punch on the inside.
Hole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steve blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hole lands a shoulder strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hole as Steve tries to tie him up.
Steve is trying to stall.
Hole tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Hole lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steve misses with a body punch.
Hole scores with a nice hook to the head.
Steve throws a punch but it's blocked by Hole.
Hole lands a right hand.
Steve scores with a shoulder strike.
Hole works on Steve's body with a couple of short punches.
Hole lands a nice uppercut.
Hole has a couple of punches blocked by Steve.
Steve prevents a body shot from Hole.

Steve breaks from the clinch.
Steve throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hole avoids the body shot from Steve.
Good work by Steve as he checks the leg kick.
Hole misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steve.
Steve lands a jab.
Steve throws a big shot that misses.
Hole appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hole slips under a jab.
Mark Steve is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hole misses with a hook
and Steve counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Steve misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mark Steve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hole misses with a hook
and Steve counters with a good, hard body kick but Hole shrugs it off.
A solid leg kick lands there for Steve.
Steve connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hole looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Steve swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Steve moves into the clinch.
Hole scores with a shot to the side of Steve's head.

Steve breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steve lands the left hand.
Hole looks to score with a jab to the body but Steve is just out of range.
Hole swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Steve counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Steve fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hole looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Steve bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hole's head.
Hole misses with a looping left.
Steve tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hole was well out of range. Poor timing from Steve.
Hole connects with a single shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Steve comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Steve 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 45:50
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 45:50
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Steve!
Mark Steve is the new light heavyweight champion!
Mark Steve spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.