PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Josh Koscheck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thom Sawyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sawyer's choice of entrance music: RUSH - THOM SAWYER. Thom Sawyer is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Koscheck
vs
Sawyer

178 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

175 cm
29
175 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Koscheck!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thom Sawyer!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koscheck has a takedown stuffed.
Koscheck is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sawyer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Koscheck is defended easily by Sawyer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Koscheck. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sawyer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Koscheck keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Koscheck wants to hold on but Sawyer pushes him away.

Koscheck defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sawyer.
Koscheck is looking to improve his position but Sawyer isn't that keen on the idea.
Koscheck wants to hold on but Sawyer pushes him away.
Koscheck punching to the body and holding on for dear life.

Sawyer is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Koscheck to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Koscheck shrugs it off.
Koscheck is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Sawyer jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Koscheck manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sawyer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Koscheck on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Koscheck tries to get out of the position.

Sawyer wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Koscheck, who protects the arm well.

Sawyer is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Koscheck knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sawyer working away.

Sawyer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Sawyer tries for a kimura but Koscheck is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Sawyer is trying to get an arm triangle but Koscheck is defending well.
Koscheck manages to get back to half guard.

Koscheck actively working from the bottom here.

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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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

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.

Koscheck actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Koscheck.

Koscheck had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sawyer defends it easily.
Sawyer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sawyer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sawyer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sawyer drops back looking for a leg! Koscheck is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Koscheck manages to kick Sawyer off! Sawyer jumps back into Koscheck's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

Sawyer is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thom Sawyer dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Koscheck closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sawyer circles away.

Koscheck tries to sprawl but Sawyer drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Koscheck looking for submissions off his back.

Koscheck looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Koscheck trying to control but Sawyer postures up.

Koscheck is defending against the submission attempts here by Sawyer.

Sawyer is looking for a kimura here.

Koscheck actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sawyer seems to be looking for submissions.
Thom Sawyer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koscheck is looking to control Sawyer's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Koscheck avoid being mounted?

Sawyer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Koscheck has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sawyer trying to mount his opponent but Koscheck defends it.

Sawyer is looking for a kimura here.

Sawyer is looking for a kimura but Koscheck is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sawyer to get the leverage.
Koscheck trying to hold on to Sawyer's head to control him but Sawyer postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sawyer is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Koscheck working to try and regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sawyer has control of Koscheck's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Koscheck regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Sawyer prevents Koscheck from getting the reversal.

Koscheck defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sawyer.
Koscheck is desperately trying to improve his position but Sawyer has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Koscheck has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Koscheck!
Sawyer keeping moving, preventing Koscheck from controlling successfully.

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

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

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Koscheck wants to stand but Sawyer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Koscheck drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Koscheck jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sawyer looking for a guillotine here but Koscheck defends easily.
Koscheck wants to stand but Sawyer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer is looking for a triangle but Koscheck pushes his legs off easily.
Koscheck wants to pass the guard but Sawyer is keeping the position.

Sawyer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sawyer keeping full guard, as Koscheck tries to pass.

Sawyer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sawyer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koscheck is aware though and is defending well.

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Koscheck shoots for a takedown but Sawyer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Sawyer closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Koscheck's guard.

Sawyer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sawyer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sawyer drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Koscheck dives on top into guard.

Sawyer working for a triangle but Koscheck defends it easily.

Sawyer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koscheck is aware though and is defending well.
Koscheck trying to control but Sawyer is working from the bottom.

Sawyer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Koscheck defends it easily.
Koscheck is looking to work some ground and pound but Sawyer has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koscheck scoring with punches to the head and body.

Koscheck drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Koscheck jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Koscheck looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sawyer working for a triangle but Koscheck defends it easily.

Koscheck drops back looking for a leg! Sawyer is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sawyer manages to kick Koscheck off! Koscheck jumps back into Sawyer's guard.
Koscheck trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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

Koscheck drops back looking for a leg! Sawyer is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sawyer manages to kick Koscheck off! Koscheck jumps back into Sawyer's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer looking for a guillotine here but Koscheck defends easily.
Koscheck working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Koscheck trying to control but Sawyer is working from the bottom.

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

Sawyer is looking for a triangle but Koscheck pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Koscheck is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Koscheck passes into side control.
Sawyer is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Koscheck seems to be looking for submissions.
Sawyer is pressing down on Koscheck's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sawyer is looking for a triangle but Koscheck pushes his legs off easily.
Josh Koscheck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Koscheck keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sawyer's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Sawyer working for a triangle but Koscheck defends it easily.
Koscheck stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sawyer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Koscheck throwing strikes from guard but Sawyer blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sawyer has his foot on Koscheck's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Koscheck works his way back into a safe position though.

Koscheck drops back looking for a leg! Sawyer is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sawyer manages to kick Koscheck off! Koscheck jumps back into Sawyer's guard.

Sawyer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Koscheck defends well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Thom Sawyer.
Well Sawyer 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

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