PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Michael Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Okonano Owahu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Sanders could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Okonano Owahu's chin.

Sanders
vs
Owahu

171 cm
26
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Okonano Owahu!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Owahu doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sanders connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Owahu gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sanders counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Owahu has his takedown stuffed
and Sanders counters with a straight right hand.
Michael Sanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Okonano Owahu.
Owahu misses with a takedown attempt
and Sanders counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Owahu has his takedown stuffed
enabling Sanders to counter with a crisp jab.
Owahu tries for a takedown but Sanders circles away easily
and Sanders counters with a stiff right hand.
Owahu shoots and misses
and Sanders connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Sanders feints and as Owahu raises his hands in defense, Sanders changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders controlling from the top position.

Owahu has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sanders is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Owahu.
A lull in the action here as Sanders stalls from top position.
Owahu tries to bench press Sanders off him but Sanders keeps the position.
Sanders taking a breather here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owahu is looking for a sweep.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanders is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Owahu's shoulder. That is not cool.
Owahu tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sanders wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

We're going to have a standup here because Michael Sanders wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Owahu misses with a takedown

and Sanders counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sanders controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Owahu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Owahu can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sanders controls the pace.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Michael Sanders wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Sanders drives through and clinches with Owahu against the cage.

Owahu is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sanders is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Owahu to the mat. Owahu regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Owahu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Owahu looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Sanders has picked Owahu up and slammed him! Owahu can't keep hold of the triangle and Sanders manages to pass to side control!
Owahu is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Owahu being controlled for a moment.
Owahu is trying to improve his position.
Sanders in side control, just content to control the action for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Sanders dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Owahu shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Sanders counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Sanders avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sanders controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Owahu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sanders slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Owahu working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sanders has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sanders is looking to advance position but Owahu won't allow it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Well, if Sanders is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Sanders wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Owahu with a poor takedown

and Sanders counters with a single leg into guard. Owahu didn't expect that.

Owahu is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sanders is aware though and is defending well.
Sanders content to stall in guard here.

Owahu throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sanders escapes and throws Owahu's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Owahu is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders controlling the position from side mount.
Owahu gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Sanders takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Owahu is trying desperately to improve position.
Sanders tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Owahu keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Owahu is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sanders tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Owahu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sanders tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Owahu is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Sanders dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Owahu misses with a takedown attempt

and Sanders counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Owahu tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sanders tries to work over Owahu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Owahu drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sanders gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Michael Sanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Okonano Owahu.
Sanders gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Owahu.
Sanders using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Owahu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders leaning his opponent against the cage.
Owahu has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sanders avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Sanders has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Owahu is trying to keep an underhook but Sanders manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Owahu is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sanders not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Owahu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanders pulls his head out easily.
Sanders is controlling the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Michael Sanders just wasn't active enough.
Owahu with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sanders counters with a takedown into side control.
Owahu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Owahu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Owahu is letting Sanders control him for a moment.
Sanders is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Owahu can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owahu is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Sanders tries to pass to full mount but Owahu defends it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sanders controlling the action here.

Michael Sanders has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Owahu has his takedown stuffed

and Sanders decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Owahu's guard.

Owahu is looking for a triangle but Sanders pushes his legs off easily.

Owahu is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sanders is aware though and is defending well.
Michael Sanders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sanders might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Owahu has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sanders is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Owahu.
Sanders controls the position from side control.
Michael Sanders is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Okonano Owahu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Sanders showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sanders 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

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