PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jackson Sanderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Butler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Sanderson
vs
Butler

155 cm
21
134 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

175 cm
23
155 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

BLKOUT Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Jackson Sanderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Butler!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanderson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanderson shoots in looking for a takedown. Butler tries to sprawl out of it but Sanderson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Butler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Butler stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Butler wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Sanderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanderson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Butler as he jumps to the side.
Sanderson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanderson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Butler swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanderson misses with a takedown attempt - Butler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Butler gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sanderson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Butler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanderson is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Butler is retaining full guard.
Butler wants to sweep here but Sanderson controlling him for the moment.

Sanderson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Butler looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Butler looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Butler!
Butler trying to control the position but Sanderson is working away.

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.
Butler controlling the position.
Sanderson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Butler goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sanderson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Butler but great work by Sanderson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanderson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Sanderson swings around for an armbar but Butler sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sanderson's guard.
Sanderson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Butler controls the pace.
Sanderson keeping moving, preventing Butler from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Butler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sanderson is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butler sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanderson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Butler as he jumps to the side.
Sanderson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanderson shoots in but Butler avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Sanderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sanderson tries for a takedown but Butler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanderson shoots in looking for a takedown. Butler tries to sprawl out of it but Sanderson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Butler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanderson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Sanderson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Butler's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Butler is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sanderson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sanderson is trying to buck Butler off.

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.
Sanderson wants to get back to his feet but Butler is dominant here and he's now got Sanderson's back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
A lull in the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson trying to get back to his feet but Butler is in full control for now.

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.
Good control from Butler.
Butler trying to control momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Butler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sanderson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Butler is defending against the submission attempts here by Sanderson.

Sanderson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Butler sees it coming and defends easily.

Sanderson is trying to work for a kimura but Butler is defending well.
Butler wants to improve his position but Sanderson is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanderson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Butler has managed to free his arm - good work.

Sanderson seems to be working for a kimura but Butler defends the submission attempt.
Butler wants to control but Sanderson is keeping busy.

Sanderson looking for a submission but Butler manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Sanderson won't allow Butler to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sanderson closes the distance and clinches up with Butler, looking for a takedown. Sanderson pushes Butler against the cage but Butler circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Butler looks to throw the jab but Sanderson is out of range.
Butler lands a nice shot to the body.
Butler throws out a powerful jab.
Sanderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Sanderson has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Sanderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Butler slaps away a takedown attempt from Sanderson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sanderson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Butler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Sanderson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Butler's guard.

Sanderson has gone for a leg lock! Butler slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sanderson's guard.
Butler trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Butler is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Butler is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Butler postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sanderson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Butler, into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Butler.
I've got Butler 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Butler!