PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bill Paxton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paxton comes to the cage accompanied by Tomorrow by Salif Keita. Bill Paxton had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Paxton
vs
Sanders

178 cm
26
147 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

171 cm
26
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Experienced

L.A. Elite Supplements

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bill Paxton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Sanders!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paxton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sanders sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Sanders has closed the distance and engaged Paxton in a clinch.
Paxton wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanders won't allow it.

Paxton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paxton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sanders as he jumps to the side.
Paxton looks to land a right hand but Sanders moved out of range.
Paxton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sanders.
Paxton misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Paxton lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sanders doesn't seem phased though.
Bill Paxton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paxton misses with a straight right.

Paxton throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sanders was covering up waiting for the punch and Paxton finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders has a closed guard, preventing Paxton from standing up.
Sanders seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Paxton wants to get up but he can't break Sanders's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sanders slips under a jab.
Sanders bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paxton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sanders.
Sanders avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Paxton with a nice cross.
Paxton has a takedown stuffed.
Sanders is looking to clinch.

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.
Sanders takes one to the side of the head.
Sanders tries to work over Paxton's front leg with a kick but Paxton checks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Paxton misses the target.
Sanders tries to clinch up.
Paxton throws an overhand right that lands on Sanders's shoulder, as Sanders tries to avoid the shot.
Sanders blocks a jab.
Sanders misses with a looping right.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paxton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Paxton looks to land a right hand but Sanders moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Paxton dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Paxton pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Michael Sanders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paxton throws a big shot that misses.

Sanders takes the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sanders has Paxton pressed against the cage, preventing Paxton from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paxton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanders has him pressed against the cage.
Sanders keeps control of Paxton as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Paxton is looking to break free of the clinch but Sanders has double underhooks.
Paxton has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Paxton manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Paxton throws a jab but it's blocked by Sanders.
Sanders ducks under a wild hook from Paxton.
Paxton misses with a looping right.
Paxton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sanders but Sanders pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sanders avoids the body shot from Paxton.
Paxton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sanders counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Let's hope that Sanders has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Sanders was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sanders avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Paxton is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paxton lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sanders slips a straight right by Paxton.
Sanders tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good exchange - Paxton coming out on top.
Sanders slips under a jab.
Paxton shoots and misses

and Sanders decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Paxton's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Paxton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paxton is looking to sweep but instead, Sanders has passed into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders controlling the action here.
Paxton is trying to control but can't.
Sanders takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Paxton on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Paxton tries to get out of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Sanders showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Paxton misses with an uppercut. Sanders saw that one coming.
Sanders is looking to chop away at Paxton's legs.

Sanders throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Paxton was covering up waiting for the punch and Sanders finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Paxton trying to keep a closed guard but Sanders is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Paxton is trying to keep Sanders in close.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sanders moves out of range as Paxton strikes.

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.
Sanders slips a jab from Paxton.

Sanders shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Sanders controlling from the full mount.
Paxton tries to lock up and control but Sanders gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders controlling the pace for now.
Paxton is looking to get to half guard.
Paxton tries to hold on but Sanders pushes him away.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sanders controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Paxton is looking to improve his position but Sanders isn't that keen on the idea.
Sanders tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Michael Sanders has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Sanders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sanders 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Sanders!