PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Steeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Velasquez
vs
Steeler

188 cm
22
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Steeler!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Mauricio Rocha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez tries for a takedown but Steeler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Steeler drives through and clinches with Velasquez against the cage.
Velasquez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Steeler pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Steeler tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Velasquez wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velasquez wants a takedown.
Steeler goes for a takedown attempt but Velasquez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Velasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Steeler. Steeler gets slowly back to his feet.
Velasquez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Steeler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Velasquez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Steeler tries to avoid it but Velasquez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Steeler to the ground. Steeler escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice body punch from Steeler.
Steeler lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Steeler darts in and clinches Velasquez up against the cage.
Steeler wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Velasquez has him pressed against the cage.
Velasquez tries for a takedown but Steeler manages to get underhooks.
Steeler wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Velasquez has him pressed against the cage.
Steeler is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Velasquez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Steeler wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Steeler wants to get back to striking at distance but Velasquez won't allow it.
Steeler wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Steeler wants to break free but Velasquez has control.
Steeler prevents the takedown attempt.
Velasquez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steeler prevents the takedown attempt.
Velasquez wants a takedown.

Steeler decides to pull guard.
Velasquez prevents Steeler from getting back to his feet.
Steeler managing to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Steeler wriggles free and stands up.
A jab from Steeler finds it's way through Velasquez's defenses.
Velasquez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Steeler shoots in for a takedown but Velasquez shows good takedown defense.

Steeler closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Velasquez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Steeler pulls his leg out and moves away.
Steeler displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Steeler stalks Velasquez and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Velasquez's face. Velasquez staggers backwards, shaken.
Steeler throws a series of strikes that have Velasquez backpedaling.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Steeler instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is working for takedown but Steeler is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short left from Steeler.
Steeler is trying to break free.
Steeler is trying to break free.
Velasquez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Steeler prevents it.
Steeler drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Steeler breaks the clinch.
Steeler connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Velasquez momentarily.
Steeler scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Steeler should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Steeler goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Velasquez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Steeler jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Steeler breaks the clinch.
Steeler with a poor takedown

and Velasquez counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Steeler's guard now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez stands and throws Steeler's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Velasquez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez has hold of Steeler's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Steeler seems comfortable defending it but Velasquez has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Steeler is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Steeler is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Velasquez couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:14 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Cain Velasquez!