PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Denke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steel comes to the cage accompanied by Saliva - Ladies and Gentlemen. Denke comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Runnin With The Devil kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Max Steel had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Steel
vs
Denke

185 cm
34
204 lbs
30 - 11 - 0

186 cm
35
195 lbs
34 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

KAISER

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 30 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Karl Denke!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel digs a good hook to Denke's body.

Denke shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Steel's guard.
Steel keeping full guard, as Denke tries to pass.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Denke from controlling successfully.
Denke postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Denke postures up in Steel's guard and throws a big left but Steel blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denke stops Steel from standing up.
Denke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Steel has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Denke from controlling successfully.
Denke must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Steel controlling Denke's posture.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Steel misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Denke throws a leg kick
and Steel counters with a straight right hand.
Nice defenses there by Denke.
Steel throws a lazy right hand but Denke sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Denke wants to clinch up but Steel keeps it at a distance.
Steel throws a wild body kick that Denke sees coming a mile off.
An inside leg kick from Steel misses.
Steel throws a body kick that misses.
Steel throws a jab but it's blocked by Denke.
Steel staying out of range there.
Denke slips a jab from Steel.
Steel misses with a left hand
and Denke counters with an outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Denke, right into the meat.
Steel throws a leg kick
and Denke makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Steel misses with a series of wild punches.
Denke lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Steel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Denke.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Denke lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Steel misses with a hook
and Denke counters with an inside leg kick.
Steel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Denke.
Denke lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Max Steel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steel looks to land a right hand but Denke moved out of range.
Denke moves forwards but Steel connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Steel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Max Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Denke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel misses with a low kick.

Denke gets a double leg takedown into Steel's guard.
Denke controls from within his opponent's guard.
Denke told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Denke is looking to work some ground and pound but Steel has wrist control.
Steel being controlled here, momentarily.
Denke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Steel is keeping the position for now.
Denke trying to control the position from guard on top but Steel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denke tries to free his leg and advance position but Steel is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Karl Denke wasn't active enough on the ground.
A nice inside leg kick there by Steel. That's going to slow Denke down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Steel.
Denke ducks under a wild hook from Steel.
A slow jab from Denke misses its intended target.
Denke wants to land a leg kick but Steel is out of range.
Steel swings for the body but Denke moves out of range.
Steel feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Denke's calf.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Denke throws a leg kick but Steel sees it coming and checks it nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Denke.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Denke moves out of range as Steel strikes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Denke is defended easily by Steel.
Denke tried to score with a low kick but Steel checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Denke throws a leg kick that misses.
Denke shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Steel sprawls well. Steel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Denke gets slowly back to his feet.
Denke connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Steel's hands.
Steel takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Steel moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice body kick there by Steel.
Steel tried to score with a low kick but Denke checks it.
Steel scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Steel misses with an attempted mid kick.
A cross from Steel lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Good leg kick by Steel there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel misses with a low kick.
Denke throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Steel fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Denke looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Steel throws a wild body kick that Denke sees coming a mile off.
Steel misses with a left hand
and Denke counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Steel is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Denke fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Steel avoids it really well and circles away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Denke fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Steel is out of range.
Denke avoids a kick to the body.
Denke keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke moves out of range as Steel throws a body kick.
Steel takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Denke bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Steel slips a jab from Denke.
Steel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Denke lands a head kick. Steel smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Steel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Denke.
Max Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karl Denke.
Denke uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steel.
A bone on bone clash there as Steel blocks the leg kick.
Steel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Steel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Steel misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Denke counters with a series of strikes. Steel will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke tries to clinch but Steel moves out of range.
Denke misses with a straight left.
Good shot there by Steel.
A thudding body kick lands there by Denke!
Steel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Denke. Denke obviously looking to wear him down.
Denke checks a leg kick nicely.
Steel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Denke.
Denke thuds his right hand into Steel's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Denke dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Steel throws a low kick but Denke moves out of range easily.
Denke slips under a jab from Steel.
Steel tries to land a leg kick but Denke saw it coming and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denke slips a straight right by Steel.
Steel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Denke.
Denke looks for a takedown but Steel sprawls well.
Steel shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Steel uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Denke has time to react.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Steel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Denke shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Denke throws a right and a left that both miss.
A jab from Steel does it's job there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steel fails to land with a series of punches.
Steel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Denke's head backwards.
Steel misses with a leg kick
and Denke counters with a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Karl Denke will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Denke works Steel's body with a nice hook.
Karl Denke seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Denke scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Steel lands a jab to the head.
Steel swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Denke makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Denke looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Denke swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Steel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Denke counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Steel takes a swing at Denke's ribcage but misses.
Denke throws a body punch but Steel moves out of range.
A head kick from Steel lands but Denke takes it in his stride.
Denke moves out of range of the body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Denke. Steel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Denke slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke misses with a body shot.
Denke ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steel moves away.
Steel tries a low kick but Denke avoids it.
Good work by Denke as he checks the leg kick.
Denke moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Denke tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steel was well out of range. Poor timing from Denke.
Steel thows a body shot but no joy.
Denke shoots in looking for a takedown. Steel tries to sprawl out of it but Denke keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Steel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Steel takes a swing at Denke's ribcage but misses.
Denke scores with the left hand. Steel knows he should have avoided that one.
Max Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke misses with a head kick.
Denke on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Denke shoots for a double leg takedown but Steel sprawls well. He's pushed Denke's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Denke misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steel.
Denke cracks Steel with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice jab there from Denke.
Steel misses with a lunging right hand
and Denke counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Steel. Denke shrugs it off though.
Good work by Steel as he checks the leg kick.
Denke throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Steel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Denke.
Steel throws the kick towards the body but Denke avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel looks to land a left hand but Denke moved out of range nicely.
Denke throws out a leg kick but Steel moves out of range and Denke only half commits.
Denke checks a leg kick nicely.
Denke moves out of range as Steel throws a body kick.
Denke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steel's waist but Steel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Denke off to one side.
Max Steel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karl Denke.
Denke misses the shot to the body.
Denke thows a body shot but no joy.
Steel tests Denke's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Steel lands with an uppercut that bounces Denke off the cage and back into range.
Denke stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Steel looks to throw the jab but Denke is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel moves forwards but Denke connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Steel lands a really nice looking cross but Denke seems unphased.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Denke.
Denke cracks Steel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Steel checks a leg kick.
Steel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steel shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Denke moves into the clinch successfully.
Steel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Denke fails to land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Denke's elbow.
Denke tries to work over Steel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Steel fails to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Karl Denke.
Well Denke has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Karl Denke!
A very excited looking Karl Denke made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.