PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roman Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thom Sawyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Owens's entrance music is Disturbed- Inside the Fire. A fine choice. Sawyer has chosen RUSH - THOM SAWYER as his entrance music. Thom Sawyer has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Owens
vs
Sawyer

180 cm
30
177 lbs
14 - 11 - 1

175 cm
28
175 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

knocKOut Brand Fight Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roman Owens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thom Sawyer!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sawyer fails with the takedown.
Sawyer takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Owens rushes Sawyer and presses him up against the cage.
Owens lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sawyer can't get the takedown.
Sawyer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Owens is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Roman Owens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thom Sawyer.

Owens manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Sawyer drops back, looking for a kneebar! Owens looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Owens looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Owens!
Sawyer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Owens wants to stand but Sawyer is controlling his arm.
Sawyer is trying to get back to half guard.
Sawyer is not content to let Owens control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Sawyer looking for submissions off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sawyer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Owens tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Sawyer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sawyer is not content to let Owens control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Owens wants to stand up but Sawyer has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sawyer manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Owens stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nice takedown defense from Owens. No joy for Sawyer on that attempt.

Owens has closed the distance and engaged Sawyer in a clinch.
Sawyer goes for a takedown attempt but Owens pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Sawyer or perhaps it was just good defense by Owens which made him look bad.
Nice sprawl there from Sawyer as Owens shoots in.
Sawyer takes one to the chin there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Owens leaves Sawyer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Owens lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Owens. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens throws a nice looking combination but Sawyer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Owens tries to close the distance and clinch but Sawyer swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Owens enables Sawyer to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Owens manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Sawyer drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Owens dives on top into guard.
Owens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sawyer is keeping the position for now.

Sawyer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Owens can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Owens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sawyer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Owens has managed to get both his arms back between Sawyer's legs - danger averted.

Sawyer working for submissions but it's allowed Owens to get to half guard.

Sawyer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer with the active half guard here but Owens passes nicely into side control.
Sawyer is looking to regain half guard here but Owens keeps moving and retains side control.
Sawyer manages to work his way to half guard, despite Owens's best efforts.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sawyer is trying to get back to full guard.

Sawyer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Roman Owens will probably get the nod.
That's time! Owens's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sawyer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sawyer misses with a takedown attempt - Owens sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Owens fails with an attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sawyer.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sawyer with a poor takedown
and Owens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Roman Owens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thom Sawyer.
Owens tries a head kick but it misses.
Owens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Owens shoots in for a double leg but Sawyer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Owens looks to land a combination but Sawyer avoids it well.
Owens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Owens wants to clinch up but Sawyer keeps it at a distance.
Owens defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sawyer.
Sawyer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Owens will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sawyer is defended easily by Owens.
Owens fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Sawyer throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Owens tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sawyer is in Owens's guard.

Sawyer drops back, looking for a kneebar! Owens looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Owens looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Owens!
Sawyer tries to improve position but can't.
Sawyer is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
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.
Sawyer is trying to work for a sweep but Owens has mounted him!
Thom Sawyer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sawyer is desperately trying to improve his position but Owens has a good base and remains in mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sawyer gets back to half guard.
Sawyer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Owens moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Sawyer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens works to advance to full mount. Sawyer defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Sawyer is looking to improve his position but Owens isn't that keen on the idea.
Sawyer is squirming around, avoiding Owens's attempts to control the action.
Sawyer tries to reverse the position but Owens maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thom Sawyer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Owens tries a head kick but it misses.
Sawyer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Owens's waist but Owens gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sawyer off to one side.
Sawyer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Owens shoots in but Sawyer avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Owens wants to clinch up but Sawyer keeps it at a distance.
Sawyer shoots in but Owens avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Roman Owens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thom Sawyer.
Sawyer shoots in but no luck this time.
Owens tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sawyer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Owens shoots in for a takedown but Sawyer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Owens connects with a body shot that sends Sawyer's belly button to the back.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sawyer is defended easily by Owens.
Owens misses with a few strikes there.
Roman Owens is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sawyer darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sawyer seems to be looking for submissions.
Owens tries to get to full guard but Sawyer has control of the leg.

Owens is defending against the submission attempts here by Sawyer.

Sawyer is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Owens sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens is concentrating on defense, preventing Sawyer from advancing position.
Owens looks like he's trying to stand up.

Sawyer wants to work for an arm triangle but Owens is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Sawyer seems to be looking for submissions.
Owens is trying to get back to full guard.

Sawyer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Sawyer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Owens has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sawyer wants to free his trapped foot but Owens is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are battling for position here. Owens manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Sawyer has gone for a leg lock! Owens slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sawyer's guard.

Sawyer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Owens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thom Sawyer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sawyer 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thom Sawyer!