PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kerr Sangster (ranked 4506 p4p, 3038 weight class) and JJ Kong (ranked 257 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.

Sangster
vs
Kong

178 cm
25
140
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
142
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kerr Sangster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, JJ Kong!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sangster moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Sangster fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kong, pushing him back against the cage.
Sangster stalls.

Sangster's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sangster drives through and clinches with Kong against the cage.
Kong wants to break free but Sangster has control.
A frustrated look appears on Kong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sangster stalling against the cage.
Sangster pushes Kong back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Kong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kong fails to pull guard.
Sangster stops a takedown attempt from Kong.

Sangster pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kong tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sangster.
Kong doesn't manage to clinch there - Sangster circles away.

Sangster closes the distance and pushes Kong back into the cage.
Sangster is looking for a takedown.
Kong goes for a takedown attempt but Sangster pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kerr Sangster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JJ Kong.
Sangster misses with a kick to the body.
Sangster misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kong is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sangster or perhaps it was just good defense by Kong, which made it look bad.
Despite the aggression on Kong's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Sangster moves into the clinch.
Kong is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kong tries to pull guard but Sangster forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sangster wants to take the fight to the mat but Kong manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kong fails to pull guard.

Sangster jumps guard and drags Kong to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kong gets to his feet - Sangster follows without any prompting.
Sangster pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kong back to the cage. Sangster follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Sangster misses with a wild combination.
Kong steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Sangster.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong keeps the fight on the outside.
Kong throws a counter combo.
Sangster will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Sangster fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kong, pushing him back against the cage.
Sangster is looking to break free of the clinch but Kong has double underhooks.
Kong tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kong is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Kong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kong drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kong sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kong's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong wants to control from the top but Sangster keeps moving.
Kong preventing the sweep.
Kong sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kong wants to control from the top but Sangster keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sangster trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sangster circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sangster wants to clinch up but Kong keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kong tries to pull guard but Sangster forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kong wants to get back to striking at distance but Sangster won't allow it.
Sangster keeps control of Kong as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kong drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Sangster successfully pulls guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sangster is keeping the position for now.
Kong wants to control from the top but Sangster keeps moving.
Sangster tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong tries to stand but Sangster is controlling from the bottom.
Sangster wants to sweep here but Kong controlling him for the moment.
Kong trying to control but Sangster is working from the bottom.
Kong looking to sit in guard and control but Sangster gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kong controlling the position.
Kong 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.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sangster wants to pass the guard but Kong is keeping the position.

Kong throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sangster knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kong on the ground.
Kong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sangster manages to get himself to full guard.

Sangster keeping full guard, as Kong tries to pass.
Sangster is trying to keep Kong in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sangster is really struggling to control Kong but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Kong won't allow Sangster to get back to his feet.
Kong wants to stand but Sangster has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kong stands and steps away. Sangster gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sangster throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kong misses with a leg kick.

Sangster darts in and clinches Kong up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong tries to pull guard but Sangster forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kerr Sangster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JJ Kong.
Sangster content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sangster is pressed up against the cage. Kong has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sangster down to the mat. Sangster avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Sangster instigates a clinch.

Sangster escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sangster is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kong can do to turn this around?
Sangster shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kong as he jumps to the side.
Kong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sangster manages to avoid it.
Sangster throws a big counter combination but Kong scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Sangster misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kong lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kong is looking to clinch but Sangster is avoiding it.
Sangster throws a big counter combination but Kong scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sangster enables Kong to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sangster manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Sangster wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Kong manages to pass to side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kong is figuring out what he wants to do next.
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 Kerr Sangster will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kong doesn't manage to clinch there - Sangster circles away.

Kong bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Sangster throws Kong to one side and escapes!

Sangster rushes Kong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sangster lands a body punch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sangster presses Kong against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Sangster has Kong pressed against the cage.

Sangster pulls guard successfully.
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!

Sangster is working an open guard so Kong takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sangster stalks Kong and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kong's face. Kong staggers backwards, shaken.
Kong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sangster sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kong walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sangster.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sangster counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kong wants to clinch up but Sangster keeps it at a distance.
Kerr Sangster is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sangster moves into the clinch.

Sangster pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kong shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Sangster has his feet on Kong's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sangster moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kong misses with a straight left.
Kerr Sangster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sangster shoots in for a takedown but Kong shows good takedown defense.
Sangster scores with the left hand. Kong knows he should have avoided that one.
Kong tries to close the distance and clinch but Sangster swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kong throws a hook to the side of Sangster's head but Sangster sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sangster stuffs the takedown.
Kerr Sangster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JJ Kong.
Sangster shoots in for a takedown but Kong shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sangster takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kong throws a right and a left that both miss.

Sangster drives through and clinches with Kong against the cage.
Kong jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sangster walks away with a smile on his face. Kong gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kong dives in for a single leg takedown but Sangster sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sangster manages to avoid it.
Sangster tries to clinch there but Kong circles away.
Sangster sets himself, and Kong steps forward looking for the clinch! Sangster avoids it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kong closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sangster's guard.
Kong throwing strikes but missing.

Sangster has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kong is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Sangster keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kong's efforts to push away.
Kong has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sangster is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Sangster's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sangster fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Sangster closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sangster lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kong.
Kong is trying to break the clinch but Sangster has him pressed against the cage.
Kong wants to break free but Sangster has control.
Sangster is trying to break the clinch but Kong has him pressed against the cage.

Sangster gets control of Kong's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sangster will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sangster not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kong passes Sangster's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Kong is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sangster sees it coming and defends easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kong is trying to control the action in half guard but Sangster is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
JJ Kong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kerr Sangster is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sangster's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kerr Sangster showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sangster 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kerr Sangster!