PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Smith (ranked 2914 p4p, 4355 weight class) and Tevan Saunders (ranked 360 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Smith
vs
Saunders

195 cm
18
210
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
204
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Thomas Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tevan Saunders!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith closes the distance looking to clinch

and Saunders counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Saunders trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Saunders stays in close to Smith's body and controls the position.
Saunders throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saunders trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith controls Saunders momentarily but Saunders frees himself.
Smith is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Saunders is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Saunders looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smith tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Saunders manages to circle out of the way.
Saunders misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saunders tries a head kick but it misses.
Saunders avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Saunders shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Thomas Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tevan Saunders.
Smith scoring well with a low kick there.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saunders defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith connects with a body shot.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Saunders circles away from the clinch attempt.

Saunders has managed to clinch.
Saunders is looking for a takedown.
Saunders is trying to drag Smith to the mat but Smith just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Saunders manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Smith is looking to advance position but Saunders has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Saunders jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Smith manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Saunders trying to control the position but Smith is working away.

Saunders decides to stand up, so the ref orders Smith to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunders fails with the takedown.

Saunders scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Saunders is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Smith defends it well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smith trying to hold on to Saunders's head to control him but Saunders postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saunders missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tevan Saunders dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Saunders takes the fight into the clinch.
Saunders avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Saunders looking for a takedown.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Saunders as Smith tries to tie him up.

Saunders pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saunders wants to improve his position but instead Smith has moved into half guard.
Saunders wants to control but Smith is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Saunders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith drops an elbow to the side of Saunders's head.
Saunders misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Saunders looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Saunders trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Smith wants to control but Saunders is keeping him busy.
Saunders keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Smith stops Saunders from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Saunders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith throws a big counter combination but Saunders scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Saunders throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.

Saunders closes the distance and clinches.
Saunders has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saunders has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saunders is pushing Smith up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith pulls guard effortlessly.
Saunders slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Saunders trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Saunders trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four 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.
Smith being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saunders's guard.

Saunders throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Saunders wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith trying to control but Saunders is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thomas Smith will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Saunders scores with a takedown into Smith's guard.
Saunders wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith wants to control but Saunders passes easily into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Saunders moves into full mount! Smith won't be happy about that!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
Smith wants to control but Saunders is having none of it.
Saunders thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Saunders has hold of Smith's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Smith manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Saunders trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two 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.

Saunders stands up from mount. Strange move.

Saunders pushes Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saunders tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually Saunders drops back down to his feet.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Saunders has double underhooks.

Saunders drags the fight down to the ground.
Saunders throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Tevan Saunders has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
Saunders wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Saunders is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Saunders working a defensive guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Saunders lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Saunders fails with a takedown attempt.
Thomas Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tevan Saunders.
Saunders shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saunders misses with a body kick.

Saunders shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Smith manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Smith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tevan Saunders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saunders has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tevan Saunders!