Flair 1 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig Long Lang (ranked 4563 p4p, 11108 weight class) and Sota Sankari (ranked 492 p4p, 590 weight class). 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.

Lang
vs
Sankari

183 cm
18
225
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
51
260
14 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 Las Vegas, Craig Long Lang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sota Sankari!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sankari gets tackled into the cage by Lang. Lang maintains the clinch.

Lang's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice sprawl there from Lang as Sankari shoots in.
Sankari shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lang counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sankari looks winded!

Lang clinches with his opponent.
Lang scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lang has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sankari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lang is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sankari is defending well.
Sankari wants to get back to striking at distance but Lang won't allow it.

Lang jumps into guard, dragging Sankari to the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sankari avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lang not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lang looking to control.

Lang looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lang pulls Sankari in to control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice takedown defense from Sankari. No joy for Lang on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Long Lang. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lang rushes Sankari and presses him up against the cage.
Lang tries to pull guard but Sankari forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Lang ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lang no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lang looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Lang working for a triangle but Sankari defends it easily.

Lang escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sankari gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lang holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sankari is controlling him.

Sankari avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lang is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Lang gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Lang breaks the clinch.
Lang shoots in but Sankari avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lang wants to clinch up but Sankari keeps it at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Lang.
Sankari swats away the attempt to clinch by Lang.
Sankari changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lang has a takedown stuffed.
Sankari wants to counter the offense by Lang and move into the clinch position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Long Lang dominated that round.
That's time! Lang's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sankari fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lang shoots in but no luck this time.

Lang rushes Sankari and presses him up against the cage.

Lang pulls guard.
Lang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Sankari avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lang bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sankari's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sankari is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang is trying to get back to full guard.

Lang looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lang is trying to control but can't.
Lang could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lang is looking to improve his position.
Lang trying to control here.
We've been informed that Sankari has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Sankari thows a huge punch but Lang dodges it nicely.
Lang is looking for a sweep. Sankari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sankari is trying to control. Lang wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lang is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sankari can do to turn this around?
Lang is trying is best to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lang slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sankari is refusing to be controlled, as Lang sits in half guard.
Lang is taking a breather. Sankari says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Lang wants to pass to mount but Sankari is defending the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sankari tries to get to full guard but Lang has control of the leg.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A cross from Lang lands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lang.
A countering left hand to the body from Sankari misses.
Nice straight punches there by Lang. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lang.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lang is trying to drag Sankari to the mat but Sankari just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Long Lang dominated that second round.
That's time! Lang's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lang shoots in for a takedown but Sankari shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Lang with that takedown attempt.
Lang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
It seemed like Sankari was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sankari is defended easily by Lang.
Lang shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sankari sprawls well. Sankari wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lang gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Long Lang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A cross from Lang lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sankari is looking to clinch but Lang is avoiding it.
Sankari misses with a shot to the body
letting Lang counter with a right hand.
Craig Long Lang is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lang fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sankari avoids it really well and circles away.
Lang shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sankari as he avoids it easily.
Lang shoots in looking for a takedown. Sankari tries to sprawl out of it but Lang keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sankari manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lang tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sankari slaps away a takedown attempt from Lang, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lang shoots in for a takedown but Sankari shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lang keeps the fight on the outside.
Lang slips a jab from Sankari.

Lang has closed the distance and engaged Sankari in a clinch.
Lang wants to break free but Sankari has control.
Sankari tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lang smiles and moves away.
Lang slaps away a takedown attempt from Sankari, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang lands a high kick!
Lang fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lang shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sankari as he avoids it easily.
Sankari looks for a takedown but Lang sprawls well.
Sota Sankari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lang doesn't manage to clinch there - Sankari circles away.
As Lang backs off Sankari throws a huge counter combo but Lang manages to avoid it all.
Sankari closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lang circles away.
Sankari takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Lang shoots for a takedown but Sankari saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sankari tries to counter with a clinch but Lang shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lang takes the fight into the clinch.
Lang tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sankari just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lang tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sankari smiles and moves away.

Sankari drives through and clinches with Lang against the cage.
Sankari looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lang content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Lang drags the fight down to the ground.
Craig Long Lang is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lang preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Long Lang showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lang 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Long Lang!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
25%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Talbain (ranked 24368 p4p, 4464 weight class) and Curtis Tate Iii (ranked 603 p4p, 488 weight class). Jon Talbain has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Talbain
vs
Tate Iii

210 cm
24
287
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Talbain!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Tate Iii!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Talbain goes for a double leg but Tate Iii avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tate Iii continues to drive forward.
Tate Iii is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tate Iii is trying to break the clinch but Talbain is controlling him.

Tate Iii has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Talbain regains guard immediately.
Talbain tries to strike from the bottom.
Talbain keeping moving, preventing Tate Iii from controlling successfully.
Tate Iii must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Tate Iii stands up from Talbain's guard - Tate Iii perhaps looking for a knockout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Talbain is defended easily by Tate Iii.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tate Iii closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tate Iii lands in his opponent's guard.
Talbain wants to get back to his feet but Tate Iii passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Talbain throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Talbain 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.
Talbain wants to control but Tate Iii is keeping busy.
Tate Iii content to control rather than advance.
Tate Iii trying to mount his opponent but Talbain defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tate Iii prevents Talbain from improving his position.

Tate Iii stands up and beckons Talbain to join him on the feet.
Talbain tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tate Iii is able to avoid easily.
Tate Iii steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Talbain.
Talbain thows a left - swing and a miss!
Talbain avoids a punch combination nicely.
Talbain thinks about countering with a head kick.
Talbain checks a leg kick.

Tate Iii rushes Talbain and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Talbain drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tate Iii gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Talbain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Talbain is trying to pull guard but Tate Iii has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tate Iii jumps guard and drags Talbain to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tate Iii is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Talbain throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Tate Iii escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Talbain gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tate Iii looks winded!
Talbain has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tate Iii is proving hard to escape from.
Tate Iii really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Talbain. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tate Iii throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Talbain trying to control but Tate Iii is working from the bottom.
Tate Iii trying to keep a closed guard but Talbain is proving a slippery customer.
Talbain passes into half guard.
Talbain thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tate Iii's head.
Tate Iii is refusing to be controlled, as Talbain sits in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Talbain missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tate Iii trying to control from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Tate Iii dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tate Iii keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tate Iii tries to counter by closing the distance.
Talbain dives in for a single leg takedown but Tate Iii sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Talbain can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Talbain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Talbain manages to pull guard.
Talbain keeping full guard, as Tate Iii tries to pass.
Talbain throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Talbain looking to control but Tate Iii passes into half guard.
Tate Iii prevents Talbain from improving his position.
Talbain makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Talbain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Iii working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Talbain keeping moving, preventing Tate Iii from controlling successfully.
Talbain trying to strike off his back.
Talbain controls Tate Iii momentarily but Tate Iii frees himself.

Tate Iii lying in Talbain's guard like a wet fish here, stalling away. Talbain decides he's had enough of all that nonsense - he escapes his hips and locks up an armbar! Wow, that was slick! Tate Iii taps! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jon Talbain!
Jon Talbain is the new heavyweight champion!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
26%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Morrison Dickson (ranked 24347 p4p, 24176 weight class) and Boxing Powerhous (ranked 218 p4p, 213 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Dickson
vs
Powerhous

225 cm
19
283
0 - 7 - 0

225 cm
26
300
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Morrison Dickson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Boxing Powerhous!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Powerhous displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Morrison Dickson has been cut.
Nice straight punches there by Dickson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Dickson.
Powerhous takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Powerhous drives through with a takedown into Dickson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Powerhous lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Powerhous stopping the sweep attempt from Dickson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Powerhous is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Powerhous scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Powerhous slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Powerhous has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Powerhous passes Dickson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powerhous is looking to advance position but Dickson won't allow it.
Powerhous is taking a breather. Dickson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Powerhous works his way into full mount!
Dickson is just holding on here. Powerhous manages to take his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dickson is trying to remain composed but Powerhous is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

Powerhous is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Dickson with him. Dickson is trying to defend but Powerhous has an arm under the chin now! Dickson grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Boxing Powerhous!
Boxing Powerhous is the new super heavyweight champion!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
44%

Main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jax Thomas (ranked 18942 p4p, 4591 weight class) and James Braddock (ranked 650 p4p, 508 weight class). 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.

Thomas
vs
Braddock

175 cm
36
221
24 - 24 - 0

180 cm
18
208
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jax Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Braddock!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thomas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Braddock napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Thomas stands up and beckons Braddock to his feet.

Thomas drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Thomas stands up from Braddock's guard - Thomas perhaps looking for a knockout.
Thomas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Braddock.
Thomas is looking to counter punch.

Thomas changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Braddock looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thomas stands up.
Braddock shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense.

Thomas shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Braddock is trying to defend but Thomas finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Thomas decides to stand up.

Thomas closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Braddock quickly recovers to half guard.

Thomas escapes and gets back to his feet.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Braddock napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Braddock looks winded!

Thomas has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas gets a powerful takedown and that's hurt Braddock.

Braddock is rocked!

Thomas decides to stand up, so the ref orders Braddock to his feet.
Braddock is still on wobbly legs! Can Thomas finish him?

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Thomas decides to return to a standing position.

Thomas lands a huge takedown. Braddock is out but the ref is slow to react and Thomas lands 3 more undefended punches before the fight is stopped. Brutal finish. Braddock lies on the canvas for a good minute before the doctors bring him round. Good to see he's OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jax Thomas!
Jax Thomas is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Jax Thomas 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.