PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Stepp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fowwest Gump (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stepp comes to the ring accompanied by Wherever I May Roam . Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Stepp
vs
Gump

193 cm
24
218 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

185 cm
26
215 lbs
12 - 13 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steven Stepp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Fowwest Gump!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepp defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gump.
Stepp throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gump.
Gump slips under a jab from Stepp.

Stepp rushes Gump and presses him up against the ropes.
Gump is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gump drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stepp gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Steven Stepp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fowwest Gump.
Stepp gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gump.
Stepp taking a breather.
Stepp is trying to maintain a safe position but Gump gets an underhook and turns Stepp into the ropes.

Stepp breaks the clinch.

Gump shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Stepp napping and manages to drive through into side control!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Stepp wants to get back to his feet but Gump drags him back down.
Gump in side control, throwing shots but Stepp defends.
The strikes coming from Gump are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gump goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Stepp has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gump but great work by Stepp.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gump taking punishment in the form of punches.
Stepp cracks Gump with a big right hand but Gump just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Gump manages to get back to half guard.
Stepp landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

It looks like Fowwest Gump has been cut.
Nice strikes from Stepp there.
Stepp is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gump trying to control from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stepp connects with a nice short shot to Gump's temple.
Gump has hold of Stepp's hands but Stepp slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gump has hold of Stepp's hands but Stepp slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gump regains full guard. Nicely done.

Gump had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stepp defends it easily.
Stepp postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Gump working for a triangle but Stepp defends it easily.
Gump is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepp content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gump looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stepp throws a big elbow that misses.
Stepp cracks Gump with a solid left hand.

Gump working for a triangle but Stepp defends it easily.
Stepp is working Gump over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Stepp with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Gump is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stepp defends well.
Stepp chips away with some ground and pound.
Stepp won't allow Gump to sweep him here.
Stepp working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gump's head.
Gump looking for a sweep. Not yet Gump, not yet.
Stepp working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stepp connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gump lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stepp!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Stepp is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gump is landing with some decent strikes but Stepp is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stepp slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Gump looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gump is thwarting Stepp's attempts to control the position.

Gump is working for a submission of some sort.
Gump passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepp tries to hold on but Gump postures up.
Stepp wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gump.
Stepp is in a horrible position here. Gump smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gump lands a nice shot to the head.
Gump landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gump landing strikes from the mount and Stepp is in trouble!
Stepp really wants to buck Gump off and get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gump dominating with strikes here.
Gump avoids the attempt from Stepp to control.
Gump has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stepp's face.
Stepp takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steven Stepp will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Fowwest Gump'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.

Gump drives through and clinches with Stepp against the ropes.
Stepp prevents the takedown attempt.
Gump has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stepp avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stepp prevents a takedown attempt there.
Steven Stepp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fowwest Gump.
Gump wants a takedown.
Stepp can't find room to land a body shot as Gump controls the action.

Stepp breaks the clinch.
Stepp wants to clinch.
Gump has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That has opened up Fowwest Gump's cut even more.
Stepp moves in looking to clinch but Gump pushes him off.
Stepp avoids a punch combination nicely.

Gump moves into the clinch.
Stepp misses with the head strike.
Stepp taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gump is trying to pull guard but Stepp has him pressed against the ropes.

Gump gets control of Stepp's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gump will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Stepp has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stepp missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stepp working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stepp trying to control but Gump is working from the bottom.

Gump is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stepp defends well.
Gump is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stepp is working Gump over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Stepp is working Gump over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Stepp trying to control but Gump is working from the bottom.
Stepp postures up in Gump's guard and throws a big left but Gump blocks it.
Gump wants to sweep here but Stepp controlling him for the moment.
Stepp working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stepp trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gump tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stepp stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gump swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gump wants to sweep here but Stepp controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Stepp is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stepp cracks Gump with a solid left hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gump is on top in guard.
Gump throws a big elbow that misses.
Stepp wants to stand and escape but Gump is having none of it.
Stepp has his hands on Gump's head, controlling the position.
Stepp wants to sweep here but Gump controlling him for the moment.
Gump won't allow Stepp to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepp controls Gump momentarily but Gump frees himself.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gump wants to pass the guard but Stepp is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Steven Stepp wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Gump looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Stepp drives through and clinches with Gump against the ropes.
Gump tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stepp just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Gump has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stepp avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gump fails to pull guard.

Gump pulls guard.
Stepp wants to control from the top but Gump keeps moving.
Gump keeping full guard, as Stepp tries to pass.
Stepp lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gump has momentary wrist control but Stepp slips an elbow through the middle.

Gump is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stepp defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gump is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stepp distracts Gump with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stepp scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Stepp working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stepp lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gump looking for a sweep. Not yet Gump, not yet.
Stepp with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stepp postures up and lands a big shot to Gump's brow.

Gump throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gump is breathing heavily.
Stepp lands a couple of elbows.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stepp scoring with some ground and pound.
Stepp postures up.
Steven Stepp overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stepp with a nice head shot there.
Stepp cracks Gump with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Stepp dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fowwest Gump's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gump is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stepp.
Stepp misses with a series of wild punches.

Gump takes the fight into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gump is trying to drag Stepp to the mat but Stepp just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Stepp tries to work over Gump's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gump blocks an uppercut.
Stepp lands with a light punch inside.
Still in the clinch, Stepp scores with a nice short uppercut.

Gump ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gump no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Gump is trying to control the position but Stepp postures up.
Gump takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stepp with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stepp is working Gump over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Stepp chips away with some ground and pound.

Gump is rocked!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gump is on top in guard.
Gump is still in real trouble! Can Stepp finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepp wants to stand up but Gump is controlling him.
Gump seems to have recovered his senses.
Stepp bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gump's guard.

Gump looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Gump avoids the attempt from Stepp to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepp gets back to half guard.
Stepp pushes Gump off looking to stand but Gump dives back in and keeps control.
Gump working Stepp over with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gump wants to work for an arm triangle but Stepp is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gump throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stepp pushes Gump off looking to stand but Gump dives back in and keeps control.
Gump thows a huge punch but Stepp dodges it nicely.
Stepp wants to control but Gump is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gump not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stepp manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stepp preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gump stopping the sweep attempt from Stepp.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gump scoring with some ground and pound.
Stepp wants to sweep here but Gump controlling him for the moment.

Gump thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gump throws a big right hand that misses.
Stepp is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gump is pressing down on Stepp's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Gump working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stepp doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stepp manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stepp stands up over Gump, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stepp lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stepp content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stepp lands a couple of digs.
Fowwest Gump has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stepp postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Stepp postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gump manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gump looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gump looking to ground and pound but Stepp is blocking nicely.
Gump throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Stepp because Gump loaded up on that one.
Gump avoids the attempt from Stepp to control.
Steven Stepp is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stepp is in all sorts of trouble here.
Stepp is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Gump is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Stepp is surviving well by controlling Gump's body position as best he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gump throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

Gump is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Stepp to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Stepp shrugs it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steven Stepp showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stepp has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Stepp!
Steven Stepp took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.