PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Steel (ranked 2360 p4p, 313 weight class) and Mario Jones (ranked 1299 p4p, 185 weight class). 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
Jones

183 cm
33
202 lbs
17 - 16 - 1

184 cm
27
186 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 17 - 16 - 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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mario Jones!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Alyssa Summers and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel throws a lazy right hand but Jones sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Jones has taken the fight to the clinch.

Steel gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Jones is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jones is staying active underneath Steel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Steel is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Steel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jones defends it well.
Jones felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones keeping control of the position.
Steel is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Steel is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Jones sees it coming and defends easily.
Steel prevents Jones from improving his position.
Steel wants to free his trapped foot but Jones is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Steel performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Steel prevents Jones from improving his position.
Steel wants to pass to mount but Jones is defending the position.
Steel slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Steel has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short body shot lands from Jones as the two fighters clinch.
Steel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jones lands a right hand.
Jones is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Steel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jones throws a leg kick but Steel moved away.
Steel swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Steel.
Jones smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Jones avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jones scores with a body shot.
Jones throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones thumps Steel with a low kick.
Mario Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jones slips a jab from Steel.
Jones's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Steel connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Jones scrambles back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steel connects with a body shot.
Steel shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones throws a looping overhand right but Steel ducks down to avoid it.
Steel catches Jones with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A leg kick checked by Steel.
Steel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Jones sprawls and moves away.
Steel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jones defends well and Steel ends up having to push Jones into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jones fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Steel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jones cracks Steel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like James Steel has been cut.
Jones scores with a punch to the head.
A low kick from Steel is predictable there
enabling Jones to counter with a crisp jab.
Steel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jones as he avoids it easily.
Jones tries a quick counter leg kick but Steel is wise to it.
A lazy left from Steel finds it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Jones dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Steel's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jones has Steel up against the cage in a clinch.
Steel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jones is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Steel struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.
Jones throws a head punch that misses.
Jones struggles to land a body shot inside as Steel controls his hands.
Steel can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
Jones lands a nice shot to the body.
Jones has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short left from Jones.
Steel prevents a body shot from Jones.
Jones tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steel's elbow.
Jones throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones blocking some punches.
Jones lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Steel turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Steel manages to end up in side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Steel looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Steel working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Steel tries to move to full mount but Jones actually manages to regain half guard.
Jones preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Jones tries to get to full guard but Steel has control of the leg.
Steel is thwarting Jones's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Steel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Jones knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jones is controlling Steel's trapped leg to prevent Steel from advancing to side control.
Jones is not content to let Steel control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The fighters circling - Jones throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Steel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jones tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Steel is able to avoid easily.
Mario Jones seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Steel moves into the clinch successfully.
Jones is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Jones scores with a shoulder strike.
Steel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steel is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel lands a body shot.
Jones lands a body punch in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Jones scores with a nice short uppercut.
Steel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Jones gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Steel throws a punch but it's blocked by Jones.

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steel is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.
James Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Jones tenderised Steel's leg. Steel is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Steel.
Jones digs a good hook to Steel's body.
Jones fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Steel checks it well.
Jones feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Steel's calf.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jones lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Steel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jones manages to avoid it.
Steel misses with a body shot.
Steel fails with the takedown.
Jones misses with a low kick.
Steel darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Jones scores with a body shot.
Jones throws a leg kick but Steel checks it.
Jones cracks the inside of Steel's front leg.
Jones misses with a wild body shot.
Jones misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Jones showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Steel's cut.
That's time! Steel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Jones misses with a straight left.
Jones throws a body shot but no joy.
Steel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Jones.
Steel lands with a right hand.
Jones wants to clinch up but Steel keeps it at a distance.
Jones throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jones lands with a thumping leg kick.
Steel connects with a leg kick. Jones looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Jones moves out of range of the strikes.

Steel closes the distance and clinches.
Jones blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jones avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jones struggles to land a body shot inside as Steel controls his hands.

Steel turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Steel manages to end up in side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jones is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jones defends it well.

Jones looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
James Steel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Steel trying to control from half guard but Jones is working away.
Steel is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Steel is working for a submission of some sort.
Steel controlling the action here.
Mario Jones is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Steel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jones doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Steel.
Jones trying to hold on to Steel's head to control him but Steel postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel wants to control but Jones is keeping him busy.
Jones wants to control but Steel is keeping busy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jones tries to land a leg kick but Steel saw it coming and moves away.
Steel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jones defends it nicely.
Jones throws a nice outside leg kick.
James Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steel looks to land a left hand but Jones moved out of range nicely.
Steel has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jones finds it's way round the side to connect with Steel's head.
Jones lands with a thumping leg kick.
Steel goes for a double leg but Jones avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jones continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel tries to move into range but Jones moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Steel misses with a two punch combination.
A nice combination there by Jones.
Jones dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Steel. That did some damage!
Steel takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jones ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Steel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jones's head.
Jones sizes up Steel with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Steel on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jones lands a right hook to the body.
Jones scoring well with a low kick there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Jones.
Jones connects with a jab.
Jones fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jones scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jones 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Jones!
Mario Jones bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.