PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Stepp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Dredd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dredd has chosen I Am The Law! as his entrance music. 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.

Stepp
vs
Dredd

193 cm
30
218 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

188 cm
26
214 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Steven Stepp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jackson Dredd!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Daniel Blasius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dredd misses with a looping right.
Dredd throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stepp tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Dredd counters with a body kick.
Stepp closes the distance looking to clinch
and Dredd counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Steven Stepp has been cut.
Stepp blocks a jab.
Stepp closes the distance but Dredd moves to the side
and Dredd counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stepp is looking to clinch.
Stepp moves to clinch but Dredd breaks away
and Dredd counters with a big head kick but Stepp shrugs it off.
Stepp avoids the body shot from Dredd.
Stepp tries to clinch up but Dredd circles away and keeps his distance.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dredd paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Dredd closes the distance and pushes Stepp back into the cage.
Stepp misses with a punch on the inside.

Dredd manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepp doesn't manage to clinch there - Dredd circles away.
Stepp doesn't manage to clinch there - Dredd circles away.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch but Dredd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stepp looks to clinch
and Dredd counters with a nice leg kick.
Dredd takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stepp tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Dredd counters with a right hand to the body.
Stepp is looking to clinch.
Stepp closes the distance looking to clinch
and Dredd counters with an inside leg kick.
Dredd lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dredd misses with a body kick.
Stepp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stepp tries to clinch there but Dredd circles away.
Dredd has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Stepp uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dredd.
Steven Stepp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stepp darts in trying to clinch
and Dredd counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepp doesn't manage to clinch there - Dredd circles away.
Dredd takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stepp wants to clinch
enabling Dredd to counter with a crisp jab.
Stepp is looking to clinch.
Dredd with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stepp is looking to clinch but Dredd is avoiding it.
Stepp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stepp tries to clinch but Dredd moves out of range.
Stepp looks to clinch
and Dredd counters with a body kick that stops Stepp in his tracks momentarily.

Dredd closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stepp.
Stepp being controlled against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stepp.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Stepp takes a shot to the head.

Dredd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stepp tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Dredd counters with a low kick, right behind Stepp 's knee.
Stepp closes the distance looking to clinch
and Dredd counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dredd paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stepp looks to clinch
and Dredd counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dredd throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stepp wants to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stepp closes the distance but Dredd moves to the side
and Stepp takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepp tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Dredd counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dredd circles away from the clinch attempt
and Dredd counters with a left to the body.
Dredd connects with a right hand. Stepp shakes it off.
Dredd jabs Stepp right on the nose. Stepp blinks but takes it well.
Stepp tries to clinch up
and Dredd counters with a nice kick to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stepp moves in looking to clinch but Dredd pushes him off.
Stepp tries to clinch up
and Dredd counters with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Dredd dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steven Stepp's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - Stepp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stepp avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Dredd lands a high kick to the side of Stepp's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Dredd dives into guard, looking to finish.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dredd works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Dredd wants to control but Stepp is keeping him busy.
Dredd prevents Stepp from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dredd is pressing down on Stepp's thigh, looking to free his foot. Stepp is holding on for now.
Stepp pushes Dredd off looking to stand but Dredd dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dredd looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Stepp wants to sweep but Dredd has passed to side control!
Stepp trying to remain calm as Dredd controls from the top position.
Dredd is looking to take a break and control but Stepp is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dredd taking a breather here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stepp can't do much from the bottom here.
Stepp is letting Dredd control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jackson Dredd.
Dredd swings for the body but Stepp moves out of range.
Stepp tries to clinch
and Dredd counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stepp's knee momentarily.
Stepp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stepp tries to clinch but Dredd moves away
and Dredd counters with a big head kick but Stepp shrugs it off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stepp moves to clinch but Dredd breaks away

and Dredd counters with a head kick that drops Stepp - he's looking to finish, following his stunned foe to the ground!

Stepp is rocked!

Steven Stepp's cut is getting worse.
Dredd trying to mount his opponent but Stepp defends it.
Stepp throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Dredd trying to control the action but Stepp is working from the bottom.
Dredd slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dredd looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Stepp kicks Dredd off and gets back to his feet.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dredd paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stepp tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Dredd counter with a right hand.
Stepp tries to clinch but Dredd is having none of it.
Dredd throws a jab but it's blocked by Stepp.
Dredd swats away the attempt to clinch by Stepp.
Stepp throws a right and a left that Dredd avoids nicely.
Dredd has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dredd circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dredd tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stepp avoids a kick to the body.
Stepp tries to clinch
and Dredd counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stepp's knee momentarily.
Stepp moves to clinch but Dredd breaks away
and Dredd counters with a nice kick to the body.
Dredd throws the left hand but Stepp avoids the punch easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dredd keeps the fight on the outside.
Stepp bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stepp wants to clinch but Dredd slips to the side
and Dredd counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stepp thinking.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stepp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dredd circles away from the clinch attempt
and Stepp takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Dredd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steven Stepp's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stepp takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stepp tries to clinch there but Dredd circles away.
Stepp doesn't manage to clinch there - Dredd circles away.
Stepp moves in looking to clinch but Dredd pushes him off.

Stepp clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dredd.
Stepp lands with a left to the head.
Stepp lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dredd backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dredd lands with a right to the head.
Stepp misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dredd effectively controlling the action here.
Stepp working aggressively here.
A short right from Stepp on the inside.
Dredd leaning his opponent against the cage.
Stepp blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stepp is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dredd tries to stall but Stepp uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Stepp throws a punch but it's blocked by Dredd.
Stepp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dredd lands with a short shot to the head.
Dredd has a couple of punches blocked by Stepp.
Dredd works on Stepp's body with a couple of short punches.

Dredd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dredd tries a head kick but it misses.
Dredd circles away from the clinch attempt

and Dredd counters with a head kick that drops Stepp - he's looking to finish, following his stunned foe to the ground!
Oh Stepp is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
Dredd blocks the strikes from Stepp.
Stepp seems to have got his legs back now.
We've been hearing good reports from Stepp's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stepp manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stepp not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dredd is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepp is trying to control the position but Dredd postures up.
Stepp wants to stand up but Dredd is controlling him.
Dredd slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Stepp looking for a sweep. Not yet Stepp, not yet.

Steven Stepp has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Stepp closes the distance but Dredd moves to the side
and Dredd counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stepp fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stepp connects with a single shot there.
Stepp closes the distance looking to clinch
and Dredd counters with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dredd slips under a jab from Stepp.
The crowd cheers as Stepp lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dredd doesn't seem phased though.
Stepp tries to clinch up
and Dredd counters with a right hand to the body.
Jackson Dredd is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stepp tries to clinch
and Dredd counters with a low kick, right behind Stepp 's knee.
Dredd bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stepp's head backwards.
Stepp's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Dredd connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stepp scrambles back to his feet.
Dredd misses with a straight right.

Dredd clinches up with Stepp and pushes him back against the cage.
Dredd lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stepp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stepp is looking to break free of the clinch but Dredd has double underhooks.
Dredd blocks an uppercut.
Jackson Dredd seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepp takes a shot to the head.
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!
A head punch on the inside from Dredd fails to land.
Stepp misses with the head strike.
Stepp misses with the head strike.
Dredd tries a body shot but Stepp blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stepp trying to stall but Dredd improves his position.
Steven Stepp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dredd lands a right hand.
Dredd lands with a right to the head.
Stepp lands a hook that snaps the head of Dredd backwards.
Stepp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stepp lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dredd misses with the head strike.

Stepp breaks from the clinch.
Stepp tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dredd paws at him with a jab and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jackson Dredd comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dredd 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jackson Dredd!
A very excited looking Jackson Dredd 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.