PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Wilson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Byron Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wilson
vs
Sanders

173 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

S.W.A.T.

Knock Out

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Wilson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Byron Sanders!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sanders tries to avoid it but Wilson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sanders to the ground. Sanders escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wilson is looking to clinch but Sanders is avoiding it.

Sanders closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sanders lands in his opponent's guard.
Sanders pushing down on Wilson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sanders seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Wilson is trying to stand up here but Sanders is controlling him well.
Nice strikes from Sanders there.
Sanders trying to mount his opponent but Wilson defends it.
Wilson pushes Sanders off looking to stand but Sanders dives back in and keeps control.
Wilson tries to roll over but Sanders keeps him under control.
Wilson taking some punishment here, with Sanders in his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sanders lands a nice short elbow.
Sanders scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Wilson looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilson wants to get back to his feet.
Wilson is breathing heavily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sanders lands a nice short elbow.
Wilson wants to control but Sanders is keeping busy.
Sanders seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sanders looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sanders seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanders looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wilson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sanders scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wilson has hold of Sanders's hands but Sanders slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sanders seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sanders works his way into full mount!
Wilson is bucking up trying to escape but Sanders cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Sanders with shots to the head and body - Wilson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Sanders has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Wilson's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Sanders working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanders dominating with strikes here.
Sanders looking to finish Wilson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Wilson!
Sanders fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Sanders has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Wilson's face.
Sanders lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
You get the feeling that Wilson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Wilson is working to get back to half guard.
Sanders lands a heavy elbow.
Wilson manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Wilson is pressing down on Sanders's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Wilson throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Wilson manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Wilson tries for a takedown but Sanders circles away easily

and Sanders counters with a single leg into guard. Wilson didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wilson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sanders is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sanders postures up and lands a big shot to Wilson's brow.
Sanders lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sanders postures up and lands a big shot to Wilson's brow.
Wilson is trying to keep Sanders in close.
Sanders wants to control from the top but Wilson keeps moving.
Sanders is working Wilson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wilson keeping moving, preventing Sanders from controlling successfully.
Sanders is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sanders lands a couple of digs.
Wilson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sanders landing some decent shots from guard.
Sanders postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Wilson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sanders postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanders cracks Wilson with a solid left hand.
Sanders trying to move into half guard but instead Wilson has managed to sweep!
Sanders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sanders winds up and cracks Wilson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Wilson wants to get back to full guard.
Sanders working Wilson over with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanders scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sanders scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sanders is nestled in close to Wilson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sanders moves into full mount! Wilson won't be happy about that!
Sanders landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanders takes the fight into the clinch.
Wilson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sanders tries to score a body lock takedown but Wilson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sanders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Wilson.
Wilson misses with an elbow strike.
Wilson misses with a knee strike.

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

Sanders bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wilson tries to improve position but can't.
Wilson controls the position for a moment.
Wilson gets back to half guard.
Sanders throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wilson moves into full guard.
Wilson is looking to stand up but Sanders isn't so interested in that idea.
Sanders is breathing heavily.

Wilson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wilson is trying to control the position but Sanders postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wilson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wilson trying to control the position.
Sanders throwing strikes from guard but Wilson blocks nicely.
Wilson wants to stand up but Sanders is controlling him.
Wilson has his hands on Sanders's head, controlling the position.
Sanders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Sanders avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Byron Sanders has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sanders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Wilson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sanders doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sanders manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wilson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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.

Wilson looking for a guillotine here but Sanders defends easily.
Wilson trying to control the position.
Wilson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sanders won't allow Wilson to sweep him here.
Sanders prevents Wilson from getting back to his feet.

Wilson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Sanders looking to throw knees to the head but Wilson is blocking nicely.
Wilson trying to land knees to the body.
Sanders is trying to stall.
Sanders takes an elbow to the temple.
Wilson lands a nice knee to the body.
Wilson scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Wilson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wilson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sanders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sanders has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wilson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Steve Wilson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Byron Sanders.
Sanders stalling in the clinch but Wilson improves position.
Sanders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wilson trying to land knees to the body.
Wilson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wilson tries to land a knee to the head but Sanders blocks with his arms.
Wilson crunches a lovely knee into Sanders's ribcage.
Sanders tries to pull guard but Wilson won't allow it.
Sanders tries to score a body lock takedown but Wilson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wilson scores a nice knee to the body.
Sanders takes an elbow to the forehead.
Wilson lands an elbow inside.
Sanders fails to pull guard.
Sanders throws a head punch that misses.
Sanders takes an elbow to the temple.
Wilson misses with a knee to the head.
Sanders tries for a takedown. No joy.
Knees to the body from Wilson.
Sanders with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wilson prevents the takedown attempt.
Sanders tries to pull guard but Wilson won't allow it.
Wilson misses with an elbow strike.
Sanders managing to block the knees to the body from Wilson.
Sanders tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wilson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sanders blocks an elbow strike.

Sanders lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sanders landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Wilson has hold of Sanders's hands but Sanders slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Wilson is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sanders connects with a nice short shot to Wilson's temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanders is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Wilson is looking to control Sanders's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wilson avoid being mounted?
Sanders stalling.
Wilson is in trouble now - Sanders has advanced to mount!
Wilson is in a horrible position here. Sanders smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Wilson regains half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wilson is trying to control but can't.
Wilson gets full guard.
Wilson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Wilson looking for a guillotine here but Sanders defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Wilson dominated that second round.
That's time! Wilson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sanders with a poor takedown

and Wilson counters by clinching up.
Wilson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanders has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wilson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees in the clinch landing for Wilson.
Sanders fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Wilson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Wilson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wilson lands a damaging elbow.
A knee to the head by Wilson.
Wilson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sanders wants a takedown.
Steve Wilson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Byron Sanders.
Sanders tries to pull guard but Wilson won't allow it.
Wilson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Byron Sanders has been cut.
Sanders tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sanders tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wilson smiles and moves away.
Wilson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wilson closes the distance and clinches up with Sanders, looking for a takedown. Wilson pushes Sanders against the cage but Sanders circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wilson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sanders moves into the clinch.
Wilson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Sanders has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Wilson regains guard immediately.

Wilson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Sanders uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanders working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wilson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Wilson manages to get to full guard.
Sanders postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Wilson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wilson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sanders advances to half guard.
Sanders thows a huge punch but Wilson dodges it nicely.
Sanders tries to pass the half guard into mount. Wilson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Wilson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders chips away with some ground and pound.
Sanders looking to pass the guard.
Sanders working some strikes from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sanders's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sanders scoring with some ground and pound.

Wilson is looking for a triangle but Sanders pushes his legs off easily.
Sanders scoring with some ground and pound.
Sanders is looking to work some ground and pound but Wilson has wrist control.

Wilson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Wilson working for a triangle but Sanders defends it easily.

Wilson working for a triangle but Sanders defends it easily.
Sanders must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilson 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.
Sanders is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sanders scoring with some ground and pound.
Sanders is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sanders stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wilson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sanders lands a couple of elbows.
Sanders trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sanders thows a big elbow that misses.
Wilson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanders connects with a couple of short punches.
Sanders works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Sanders working the head and body with strikes.
Sanders lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sanders looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sanders scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wilson trying to control here.
Wilson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sanders is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Wilson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sanders throwing shots but Wilson is blocking nicely.
Sanders thows a huge punch but Wilson dodges it nicely.
Wilson tries to get to full guard but Sanders has control of the leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wilson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sanders counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Wilson!
Wilson tries to reverse the position but Sanders maintains control.
Wilson is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanders working the ground and pound effectively.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wilson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Byron 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 James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

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