PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Steel (ranked 1660 p4p, 199 weight class) and Vadim Nazarov (ranked 3515 p4p, 366 weight class). James Steel is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Steel
vs
Nazarov

183 cm
33
202 lbs
16 - 13 - 1

187 cm
43
195 lbs
40 - 21 - 4

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Pit Bull Development

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 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, James Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 40 - 21 - 4, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vadim Nazarov!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, David Schapiro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nazarov looks to score with a jab to the body but Steel is just out of range.
Nazarov moves out of range of the body kick.
Steel moves out of range of the strikes.
Steel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nazarov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nazarov connects with a body shot that sends Steel's belly button to the back.
Nazarov's corner calls for a 1-2. Nazarov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nazarov slips under a jab.
Steel misses the jab.
Steel looks to clinch
and Nazarov counters with a right hand to the body.
A jab from Nazarov does it's job there.
A jab from Nazarov does it's job there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nazarov lands a nice shot that snaps Steel's head back.
Steel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nazarov as he jumps to the side.
Steel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nazarov moves away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nazarov checks a leg kick.
Nazarov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Steel moves out of range as Nazarov strikes.

Steel gets caught napping as Nazarov dives in and scores a takedown. Steel manages to retain guard.
Nazarov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Steel is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Nazarov postures up in Steel's guard and throws a big left but Steel blocks it.
Nazarov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nazarov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nazarov chips away with some ground and pound.
Steel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nazarov throws a big elbow that misses.
Steel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov is in close to Steel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nazarov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nazarov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nazarov throws a big elbow that misses.

Steel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nazarov defends well.
Nazarov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Nazarov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Steel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nazarov has managed to get both his arms back between Steel's legs - danger averted.
Nazarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Steel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Steel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Steel in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov tries to get to full guard but Steel has control of the leg.
Nazarov is trying to maintain the position but Steel is very close to passing his half guard.

Steel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nazarov is looking for a sweep. Steel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Steel is thwarting Nazarov's attempts to control the position.
Steel trying to control from half guard but Nazarov is working away.

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.

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

Steel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Nazarov tries to get to full guard but Steel has control of the leg.
Steel is trying to control. Nazarov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Steel trying to pass the guard but Nazarov defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Steel looks to throw a body kick
and Nazarov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Steel wants to clinch but Nazarov slips to the side
and Nazarov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A leg kick checked by Nazarov.
Steel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slow jab from Nazarov misses its intended target.
Steel walks into a stiff left hand from Nazarov.
Nazarov ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
Steel scores with a body shot.
Steel misses with a straight right.
Nazarov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Steel scores with a hook to the body. Nazarov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steel manages to avoid it.
Steel scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nazarov doesn't seem bothered though.
Steel scores with a sloppy right hand. Nazarov should have avoided that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nazarov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Steel gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nazarov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Steel.
Steel takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nazarov cracks Steel with a right hand to the side of the head.
Steel darts in looking for a takedown but Nazarov gets double underhooks and turns Steel into the cage.
Nazarov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Vadim Nazarov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nazarov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Steel circles away.
Steel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nazarov throws out the jab.
Nazarov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Steel.
Steel lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Steel forces Nazarov back against the cage and clinches.
Steel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nazarov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Steel tries to work over Nazarov's front leg with a kick but Nazarov checks it.
Nazarov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Steel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nazarov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Steel connects with a body shot that sends Nazarov's belly button to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nazarov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nazarov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nazarov misses with a straight right.
Nazarov lands with a right hand.
A jab lands there for Steel.
Steel misses with a low kick.
Nazarov scores with a jab. Steel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Steel throws a right hand that misses
and Nazarov counters with a right hand to the body.
Nazarov lands with a cross.
Steel throws a series of punches but Nazarov avoids them all with ease.
Steel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Steel thows a leg kick but Nazarov checks it
and Nazarov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Steel decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Steel seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Nazarov has recovered full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov has his hands on Steel's head, controlling the position.

Steel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Steel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nazarov working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Steel preventing the sweep.
Nazarov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nazarov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Steel defending well though.
Steel on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Steel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nazarov 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.

Nazarov seems to be working for a kimura but Steel defends the submission attempt.
Steel on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Nazarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nice body punch from Steel.
Nazarov throws an overhand right that lands on Steel's shoulder, as Steel tries to avoid the shot.
Steel lands with a good body shot.
Jab from Steel.
Steel misses the shot to the body.
Steel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nazarov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nazarov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Steel wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarov misses with a hook.
Nazarov lands a jab to the nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nazarov.
Steel tries to counter with a takedown but Nazarov is quick to defend against it.
Steel connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Steel throws a chopping leg kick but Nazarov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Steel misses with a lunging right hand
and Nazarov counters with a nice uppercut.
Nazarov staying out of range there.
Nazarov swings for the body but Steel moves out of range.
Nazarov lands a slapping body shot.
Steel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nazarov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nazarov lands a lovely overhand right.
Nazarov throws out a loose jab but Steel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nazarov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Steel.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nazarov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Steel's best efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nazarov is trying to control the position but Steel postures up.
Nazarov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Steel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Steel wants to control from the top but Nazarov keeps moving.
Nazarov is trying to keep Steel in close.
Steel works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Steel is trying to control. Nazarov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nazarov tries to roll over but Steel keeps him under control.

Steel seems to be working for a kimura but Nazarov defends the submission attempt.
Vadim Nazarov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Steel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nazarov defends it well.
James Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nazarov wants to control but Steel is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Steel is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Steel is trying to work for a kimura but Nazarov is defending well.
Nazarov trying to control from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Steel is defended easily by Nazarov.
Steel misses with a straight right.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to James Steel.
I think Nazarov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Nazarov!
Vadim Nazarov thanked the fans post fight for their support.