PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Danush Towraghondi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spike Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Towraghondi comes into the arena with Coal Chamber - Amir of the Desert blaring out of the sound system. Saunders has chosen break stuff - Limp Bizkit as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Danush Towraghondi has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Towraghondi
vs
Saunders

195 cm
22
220 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
29
201 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Danush Towraghondi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Spike Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Towraghondi circles away from the clinch attempt

and Towraghondi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Saunders's guard now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Saunders can do anything to dispel that myth.
Saunders bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Towraghondi's guard.
Saunders prevents Towraghondi from getting back to his feet.
Saunders looking to pass the guard.
Saunders is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Saunders is looking to work some ground and pound but Towraghondi has wrist control.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saunders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Towraghondi has control of Saunders's left arm, preventing Saunders from doing any damage.
Saunders lands a couple of elbows.
Saunders has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunders working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saunders preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saunders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saunders missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saunders throwing strikes from guard but Towraghondi blocks nicely.
Saunders with a nice head shot there.
Saunders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saunders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saunders lands a couple of elbows.
Saunders throws a big right hand that misses.
Towraghondi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Saunders looking to pass the guard.
Saunders with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saunders stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Towraghondi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saunders missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Towraghondi wants to stand and escape but Saunders is having none of it.
Towraghondi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saunders on the ground.
Towraghondi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Saunders scoring with some ground and pound.
Saunders in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunders in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Saunders postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Saunders postures up in Towraghondi's guard and throws a big left but Towraghondi blocks it.
Saunders working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saunders postures up in Towraghondi's guard and throws a big left but Towraghondi blocks it.
Saunders cracks Towraghondi with a solid left hand.
Towraghondi looking to control.
Saunders advances position into side control!
An elbow from Saunders crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Towraghondi tries to bench press Saunders off him but Saunders keeps the position.
Towraghondi is trying to buck Saunders off.
Saunders working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Towraghondi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Saunders.
Saunders connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Towraghondi some visible discomfort.
Saunders working the ground and pound but Towraghondi is defending the strikes.
Saunders grinds an elbow into Towraghondi's temple.
Saunders fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Towraghondi can't do much from the bottom here.
Towraghondi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Saunders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Towraghondi defending against the ground and pound.
An elbow from Saunders crashes against the mat.
Saunders connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Towraghondi some visible discomfort.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Towraghondi prevents Saunders from improving position.
Saunders sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Towraghondi is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Saunders is putting a hurting on Towraghondi here, landing some big shots from side control.
Towraghondi dodges the ground and pound from Saunders.
Towraghondi is looking for a sweep.
Towraghondi pushes Saunders away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Saunders gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saunders throws an elbow but Towraghondi slips to the side and avoids it well.
Saunders working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Saunders cracks Towraghondi with a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Towraghondi tries for a takedown but Saunders sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Towraghondi leaves Saunders with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Saunders closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Towraghondi quickly recovers to half guard.
Saunders wants to free his trapped foot but Towraghondi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Towraghondi is looking to control Saunders's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Towraghondi avoid being mounted?
Saunders thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Towraghondi's head.
Saunders throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Saunders missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Saunders working over Towraghondi with some ground and pound. Towraghondi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Towraghondi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Saunders takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Towraghondi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saunders.
Spike Saunders has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders misses with a head shot. Towraghondi uses the momentum to regain guard.
Saunders is looking to work some ground and pound but Towraghondi has wrist control.
Saunders throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Towraghondi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saunders is looking to work some ground and pound but Towraghondi has wrist control.
Saunders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Towraghondi is trying to control the position but Saunders postures up.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Saunders cracks Towraghondi with a solid left hand.
Towraghondi wants to stand and escape but Saunders is having none of it.
Towraghondi has control of Saunders's left arm, preventing Saunders from doing any damage.
Saunders is looking to work some ground and pound but Towraghondi has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders working some strikes from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Saunders's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Saunders throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Towraghondi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saunders missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Saunders throwing strikes but missing.
Saunders missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saunders thows a big elbow that misses.
Saunders scoring with punches to the head and body.
Saunders postures up.
Saunders scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Saunders throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Towraghondi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saunders postures up and lands a big shot to Towraghondi's brow.
Saunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders looking to pass the guard.
Saunders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Towraghondi is trying to control the position but Saunders postures up.
Towraghondi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Saunders with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Saunders throws a big right hand that misses.
Saunders works over Towraghondi with some ground and pound from guard.

Towraghondi is looking for a triangle but Saunders pushes his legs off easily.
Towraghondi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Towraghondi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Towraghondi is looking to stand up but Saunders isn't so interested in that idea.
Towraghondi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Saunders scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Saunders advances to half guard.
Towraghondi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saunders.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Saunders not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Saunders takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunders is nestled in close to Towraghondi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Towraghondi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saunders.
Towraghondi tries to get to full guard but Saunders has control of the leg.
Towraghondi wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike Saunders showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Towraghondi checks a low kick from Saunders.
Saunders stuffs the takedown.
Spike Saunders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saunders scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Towraghondi stuffs the takedown attempt from Saunders. Saunders gets slowly back to his feet.
Saunders is looking to clinch.
Saunders connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Towraghondi shoots in for a takedown but Saunders shows good takedown defense.

Saunders clinches.
Saunders has Towraghondi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Towraghondi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Towraghondi has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Saunders regains guard immediately.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Towraghondi throws a strike but Saunders rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Towraghondi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Saunders passes into half guard.
Towraghondi pushes Saunders off looking to stand but Saunders dives back in and keeps control.
Saunders slips a nice elbow through Towraghondi's hands, connecting with Towraghondi's forehead.
Saunders lands with a punch from half guard.
Towraghondi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Saunders with the ground and pound but Towraghondi uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Saunders postures up and lands a big shot to Towraghondi's brow.
Towraghondi wants to get back to his feet but Saunders is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Saunders working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Towraghondi's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saunders works over Towraghondi with some ground and pound from guard.
Saunders is in close to Towraghondi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Saunders works over Towraghondi with some ground and pound from guard.
Saunders scoring with punches to the head and body.
Towraghondi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Saunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saunders keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Towraghondi's head.
Towraghondi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Saunders works over Towraghondi with some ground and pound from guard.
Saunders postures up in Towraghondi's guard and throws a big left but Towraghondi blocks it.
Saunders distracts Towraghondi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Towraghondi wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders working some strikes from top position.
Saunders in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Saunders makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Saunders missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saunders chips away with some ground and pound.
Saunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saunders lands a couple of elbows.
Saunders throws a big right hand that misses.
Saunders has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saunders lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Saunders throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Towraghondi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saunders trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throwing strikes from guard but Towraghondi blocks nicely.
Towraghondi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders pushing down on Towraghondi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Saunders not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Towraghondi tries to kick Saunders off but Saunders keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Saunders thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Towraghondi's head.
Nice strikes from Saunders there.
Saunders is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Towraghondi is looking for a sweep. Saunders is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Danush Towraghondi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spike Saunders is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Saunders controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spike Saunders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saunders 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spike Saunders!