PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andreas Webster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andreas Webster has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Webster
vs
Sampson

188 cm
23
195 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
26
185 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andreas Webster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Sampson!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Webster tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sampson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Webster somewhat.
Andreas Webster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sampson just misses with a punch to the body.
Webster shoots for a takedown but Sampson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sampson stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andreas Webster. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sampson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sampson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Webster's head.
Sampson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Webster will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sampson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Webster swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Webster wants to sweep but no luck.
Webster can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sampson controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson wants to control from the top but Webster keeps moving.
Webster keeping full guard, as Sampson tries to pass.
Sampson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sampson stopping the sweep attempt from Webster.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Webster not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Webster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sampson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Webster wants to improve his position but Sampson is controlling well.
Webster is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sampson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sampson's back!

Sampson defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson wants to control from the top but Webster keeps moving.
Webster working a defensive guard here.
Sampson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Webster swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sampson controls from within his opponent's guard.

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.
Sampson trying to control but Webster is working from the bottom.
Sampson won't allow Webster to sweep him here.
Webster is trying to control the position from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Webster has his takedown stuffed

and Sampson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sampson.
Sampson slows down the pace here.
A short body shot lands from Sampson as the two fighters clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Sampson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sampson closes the distance and pushes Webster back into the cage.
Nice body punch from Sampson - that landed with a thud.
Sampson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Sampson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sampson lands an uppercut.
Webster tries to score a body lock takedown but Sampson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Sampson tightens his grip and picks Webster up, before dumping him to the ground. Webster manages to land in guard.
Sampson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sampson trying to control but Webster is working from the bottom.
Sampson stops Webster from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson wants to control from the top but Webster keeps moving.
Webster being controlled here, momentarily.
Sampson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sampson controlling from the top position.
Webster trying to keep a closed guard but Sampson is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Sampson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sampson showed some decent athleticism there.
Webster trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Webster is pressing down on Sampson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Webster bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sampson's guard.
Sampson is pulling down on Webster's head to control his posture.

Webster drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sampson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sampson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sampson!
Webster sneaks back into half guard.
Sampson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Webster is desperately trying to improve his position but Sampson has a good base and remains in mount.
Sampson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Webster is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sampson controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Sampson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Webster fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sampson manages to avoid it.
Webster tries for a takedown but Sampson circles away easily

and Sampson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sampson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Webster is looking to get to half guard.
Webster tries to improve his position but instead Sampson has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson controlling the position well here. Webster rolled but Sampson kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Sampson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Sampson is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
You can see the frustration on Webster's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Good control from Sampson.
Webster can't escape the position.
Sampson avoiding Webster 's attempts to control his hands.
Sampson has good solid back control here.
Steve Sampson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Webster rolls, trying to escape but Sampson keeps control of the position.
Webster trying to control the action but Sampson just sinks the hooks in.
Webster breaks Sampson's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Webster trying to control the position from guard on top but Sampson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andreas Webster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Sampson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Webster thows a big elbow that misses.
Sampson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Webster throwing strikes from guard but Sampson blocks nicely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Sampson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Webster has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sampson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Sampson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sampson 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Sampson!