PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vicente Escalante (ranked 265 p4p, 405 weight class) and Stanley Steele (ranked 40 p4p, 61 weight class). Steele has chosen Manowar - Heart of Steel as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Escalante
vs
Steele

183 cm
28
192
18 - 2 - 0

179 cm
35
188
29 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vicente Escalante!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stanley Steele!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steele 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.
Escalante closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Steele tries to clinch but Escalante moves away
enabling Escalante to counter with a crisp jab.
Jab from Escalante.

It looks like Stanley Steele has been cut.
Steele takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Steele misses with a hook.
Escalante lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fighters circling - Escalante throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Steele lands with a right hand.
Some wild striking there from Steele.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steele slips under a jab.
Steele unleashes a big counter combination but Escalante bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Vicente Escalante seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steele lands with an uppercut that bounces Escalante off the cage and back into range.
Steele fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele throws a lazy uppercut
and Escalante counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Escalante scores with a sloppy right hand. Steele should have avoided that one.
A big right from Escalante misses.
Escalante thows a leg kick but Steele checks it
enabling Steele to counter with a crisp jab.
Steele tries to bum rush Escalante with a series of wild strikes but Escalante uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Steele lands a nice leg kick that just misses Escalante's sensitive parts.
Steele throws a series of punches but Escalante avoids them all with ease.
Escalante lands a leg kick that knocks Steele off balance momentarily.
Steele has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Escalante throws a head kick that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Steele! But no joy.
Escalante bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Escalante misses with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steele uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Escalante.
Steele defending well as Escalante loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escalante lands with a hook. Steele tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Escalante misses with a low kick.
Escalante throws a sloppy head kick and Steele moves out of range easily.
Steele feints a counter leg kick.
Escalante moves out of range of the strikes.
Steele looks to land a right hand but Escalante moved out of range.
Escalante with a nice calf kick.
Escalante connects with a right hand. Steele shakes it off.
Steele moves out of range of the leg kick from Escalante.

Steele clinches with his opponent.
Steele tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Escalante lands an elbow just above Steele 's eye.
Escalante managing to block the knees to the body from Steele.
Escalante tries a body shot but Steele blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escalante on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Escalante tries to break the clinch but Steele is controlling the position.

Escalante pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Escalante misses the target.
Steele moves out of range of the strikes.
Escalante throws a shot from downtown. Steele moves away and avoids it.
Escalante scores with a nice right hand.
Escalante throws a leg kick which misses Steele's front leg but catches the back leg as Steele tries to avoid it.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Escalante.
Escalante looks to throw the jab but Steele is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Steele! But no joy.
Escalante wants to clinch.
A cross from Steele lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Escalante.
Steele feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Escalantes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Steele might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A slow jab from Escalante misses its intended target.
Steele wants to clinch up but Escalante keeps it at a distance.
Escalante swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Escalante ducks under a wild hook from Steele.
Steele takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steele's corner calls for a 1-2. Steele obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Steele on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Escalante. Escalante obviously looking to wear him down.
Escalante connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Steele's hands.

That has opened up Stanley Steele's cut even more.
Escalante connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vicente Escalante dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Stanley Steele's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Steele waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Escalante.
Steele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Steele! But no joy.
Steele looks to clinch
and Escalante counters with a straight right hand.

Steele rushes Escalante and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Steele breaks from the clinch.
Escalante takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Steele jabs Escalante to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Steele uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Escalante.
Steele doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Steele closes the distance but Escalante moves to the side
and Escalante makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steele tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escalante was well out of range. Poor timing from Steele.
Escalante 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.
Escalante is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steele can do to turn this around?
Escalante walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Steele checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escalante scores with a jab. Steele acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Steele scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Escalante doesn't seem bothered though.
Escalante throws a low kick but it's checked well by Steele.
Escalante scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Escalante finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Steele checks the leg kick nicely there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escalante. Steele does a little dance to reset his feet.
Escalante tries to close the distance and clinch but Steele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steele moves into range and connects with a jab.
Escalante moves away from the strike by Steele.
Escalante is looking to counter with a body kick.
A shot to the body from Steele misses
and Escalante counters with a good low kick that Steele was not able to check.
Steele clobbers Escalante with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele misses with a low kick as Escalante jumps back.
Steele's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Steele scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Escalante lands a head shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Steele.
Steele misses the jab.
Escalante fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Steele is out of range.
Escalante ducks under a wild hook from Steele.
A low kick from Steele is predictable there
and Steele takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Steele looks to land a right hand but Escalante moved out of range.
Escalante throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steele digs a good hook to Escalante's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele misses with a wild body shot.
Escalante slips under a jab from Steele.
Steele misses with a wild body shot.
A quick step to the side and Escalante tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escalante throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Steele tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Escalante fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Steele on the side of the head.
Steele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Escalante lands an overhand right.
Escalante connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Escalante misses with a head kick.
A little jabbing left from Steele on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Escalante misses with a hook. Steele ducked under it nicely.
Escalante jabs at Steele's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escalante misses with a straight right.
Escalante misses with a left hand
and Steele counters with a nice low kick that buckles Escalante's knee momentarily.
Steele throws a jab but it's blocked by Escalante.
Steele throws a series of punches but Escalante moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Escalante tries to clinch up but Steele circles away and keeps his distance.
Steele throws a body shot but no joy.
Steele lands a nice hook to Escalante's body. Escalante takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Escalante connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Donk. Escalante catches Steele right on the button with a cross.

The cut above Stanley Steele's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Steele slips under a jab.
Escalante tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steele paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vicente Escalante will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stanley Steele's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Escalante tries to clinch but Steele moves away
and Steele counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Steele misses with a lunging right hand
and Escalante makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice cross by Escalante.
Escalante scores with a nice strike.
Escalante tries a head kick but it misses.
Steele waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Escalante.
Steele has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Escalante moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Steele throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escalante throws a lazy head kick
and Steele counters with a nice uppercut.
Escalante looks to land a left hand but Steele moved out of range nicely.
Escalante tries to clinch up but Steele circles away and keeps his distance.
Steele uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Escalante.
Steele steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Escalante.
Steele loads up on a big right hand but Escalante slips the punch.
Escalante throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Steele scores with a nice strike.
Escalante moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Escalante pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Steele lands with a good body shot.
Vicente Escalante is winning the standup battle so far.
Steele throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steele takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Steele digs a good hook to Escalante's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escalante takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Escalante throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steele throws a nice looking combination but Escalante bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A big left from Steele misses.
Escalante throwing a counter right hand but Steele manages to avoid it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Steele.
Escalante throws a leg kick but Steele sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Steele throws out a powerful jab.
Escalante takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Steele tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escalante manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Steele doesn't manage to clinch there - Escalante circles away.
Escalante throws an off balance right hand
and Steele counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escalante throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steele sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Steele! But no joy.
Steele takes one to the side of the head.
Steele circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steele misses the body punch
and Escalante counters with an outside leg kick.
Steele uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Escalante.
Steele only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Vicente Escalante is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Escalante takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Steele cracks a nice hook into Escalante's ribs.
A cross from Steele lands.
Escalante dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Escalante misses with a straight left.
Steele takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele sizes up Escalante with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Steele tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Escalante paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steele takes one on the button.
Steele throws a hook but Escalante blocks it.
A bone on bone clash there as Escalante blocks the leg kick.
Steele rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Escalante moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Escalante throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Steele is looking to clinch but Escalante is avoiding it.
Escalante throwing a counter right hand but Steele manages to avoid it.
Escalante finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Escalante throws the left hand but Steele avoids the punch easily.
Stanley Steele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Escalante scores with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Stanley Steele.
I think Escalante has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vicente Escalante!
After the big win, Vicente Escalante made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Brooklyn Apothecary and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.