PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Sagat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Sagat had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Sagat
vs
Jones

177 cm
30
197 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

193 cm
24
193 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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F.ighters U.nlimited K.lothing C.ompany ☯

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Sagat!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tom Jones!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sagat misses with a kick to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Jones checks a leg kick.
Sagat throws a head kick but Jones moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jones. Sagat does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jones waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sagat.
Jones moves out of range of the leg kick from Sagat.
Jones tests Sagat's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jones waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sagat.
Sagat connects with a solid leg kick.
Sagat throws a head kick that misses
and Jones counters with a good low kick that Sagat was not able to check.
Sagat takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tom Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Sagat misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jones. Sagat does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sagat pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagat throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jones scores with a nice strike.
Some bone on bone action there as Sagat checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jones checks a leg kick.
John Sagat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sagat lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Jones has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Jones and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sagat. Jones does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jones connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Jones looks to land a combination but Sagat avoids it well.
Sagat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sagat misses with a low kick.
Jones walks into a jab.
Jones avoids the body shot from Sagat.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sagat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sagat momentarily.
Good leg kick by Jones there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jones has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sagat keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jones thows a body shot but no joy.
Sagat staying out of range there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones throws a front kick aimed at Sagat's knee but Sagat avoids it well.
Sagat throws a leg kick but Jones moved away.
Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Sagat, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Sagat against the cage but Sagat circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jones throws a body punch but Sagat moves out of range.
Sagat thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Jones if he has to take too many more of those.
Jones steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sagat.
Jones looks to throw the jab but Sagat is out of range.
Jones throws a low kick but Sagat avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jones.
Sagat regains half guard.
Sagat is looking to control Jones's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sagat avoid being mounted?
Jones trying to pass the guard but Sagat defending well.
Sagat is trying to get back to full guard.
Sagat is looking to escape.

Sagat looking for submissions off his back.
Jones content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Jones might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Sagat is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sagat is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jones pulls his head out easily.
Sagat is looking to improve his position.
Sagat is trying to control but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones is taking a breather. Sagat says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jones lands with a punch from half guard.
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 John Sagat will probably get the nod.
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.

Jones thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jones dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jones lands a nice looking body kick.
Jones punishes Sagat's body with a nice straight punch.
That kick from Jones tenderised Sagat's leg. Sagat is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sagat doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jones looks to land a right hand but Sagat moved out of range.
Jones lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice cross by Jones.
Jones throws a hook but Sagat blocks it.
Sagat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sagat looks to score with a jab to the body but Jones is just out of range.
Sagat lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagat throws the kick towards the body but Jones avoids it.
Jones is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Jones is looking to land body kicks.
Jones throws a jab but it's blocked by Sagat.
Sagat staying out of range there.
Sagat ducks under a wild hook from Jones.
Good leg kick by Jones there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sagat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tom Jones seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jones fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sagat manages to avoid it.
Jones scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Jones misses with a body shot.
Jones has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jones there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Tom Jones has been cut.
Jones thuds his right hand into Sagat's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice jab there from Jones.
Jones misses with a right hand
and Sagat counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Jones is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones lands a nice looking body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sagat checks a leg kick.
Jones looks to land a body kick but Sagat moved away.
Jones looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sagat connects with a good right hand that stumbles Jones. Jones circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Jones throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sagat on the side of the head.
Jones looks to land a right hand but Sagat moved out of range.
Jones staying out of range there.
Jones tries to score with a low kick but Sagat moves his leg out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a slapping body shot.
Jones dodges the punch combination from Sagat.
A shot to the liver by Jones. Beautiful body shot.
Sagat avoids a kick to the body.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jones closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jones connects with an inside leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Jones.
A leg kick checked by Jones.
Sagat swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Jones scores with a sloppy right hand. Sagat should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Sagat if he has to take too many more of those.
Jones throws a push kick but Sagat slaps the foot to one side.
Sagat tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Sagat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jones throws a big shot that misses.
Jones connects with a right hand. Sagat shakes it off.
Sagat attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jones misses with a hook. Sagat ducked under it nicely.

Jones shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Jones was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jones looking to control but Sagat is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Jones prevents Sagat from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Jones showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tom Jones's cut.
That's time! Sagat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jones tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sagat was well out of range. Poor timing from Jones.
Sagat stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Jones.
Sagat scores with a crisp jab that stopped Jones in his tracks.
Sagat throws a head kick that misses.
Sagat moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sagat fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jones misses with a body shot.
Sagat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sagat fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jones has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jones swings for the body but Sagat moves out of range.
Sagat moves out of range as Jones throws a body kick.
Jones connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones throws a body punch but Sagat moves out of range.
Jones tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sagat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jones somewhat.
Sagat showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jones.
Sagat bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sagat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jones works the jab nicely.
Jones fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sagat manages to avoid it.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Sagat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Sagat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sagat.
Jones throws a looping overhand right but Sagat ducks down to avoid it.
Jones throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sagat slips under a jab from Jones.
Sagat throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Sagat lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sagat lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sagat takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
Jones scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sagat in his tracks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from Jones misses its intended target.
Sagat just misses with a punch to the body.
Sagat pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jones is out of range and Sagat settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Jones - that will leave a mark!
Sagat misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sagat fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jones manages to avoid it.
Sagat lands with a good body shot.
Jones scores with a nice head shot.
Sagat uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Sagat takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sagat misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sagat throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sagat takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jones has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sagat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Jones scores with a sloppy right hand. Sagat should have avoided that one.
Jones swings for the body but Sagat moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sagat. Jones does a little dance to reset his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jones finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Jones throws a hook but Sagat blocks it.
Sagat moves out of range of the body kick from Jones.
Jones throws a shot from downtown. Sagat moves away and avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sagat pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jones is out of range and Sagat settles back down.
Jones steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sagat. That one must have hurt.
Sagat swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but John Sagat did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Tom Jones's cut.
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.

Sagat is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jones fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sagat.
Sagat throws a front kick aimed at Jones's knee but Jones avoids it well.
Jones is looking to slow Sagat down with leg kicks.
Jones shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sagat as he jumps to the side.
Sagat pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jones is out of range and Sagat settles back down.
Sagat drops his hands momentarily and Jones takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jones throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Sagat with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sagat catches Jones with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sagat takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagat leaves Jones with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jones lands with a shot to the body.
Jones walks into a jab.
A head kick from Sagat lands but Jones takes it in his stride.
Jones throws a chopping leg kick but Sagat manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sagat takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sagat takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd cheers as Jones lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sagat doesn't seem phased though.
Sagat looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sagat throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sagat is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sagat misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Jones is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Sagat defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jones.
John Sagat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Jones.
Sagat throws the kick towards the body but Jones avoids it.
Good leg kick by Sagat there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sagat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A good leg kick by Sagat.
Jones tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sagat was well out of range. Poor timing from Jones.
Jones is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sagat.
Sagat tries to land a front kick but Jones steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sagat misses with a kick to the body.
Nice defenses there by Sagat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sagat tried to score with a low kick but Jones checks it.
Sagat takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sagat tries to land a leg kick but Jones saw it coming and moves away.
Jones lands with a nice body punch.
Jones throws a solid leg kick but Sagat takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Jones.
Jones looks for the body kick but Sagat saw that one coming.
Sagat throws a front kick aimed at Jones's knee but Jones avoids it well.
Sagat goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A shot to the liver by Jones. Beautiful body shot.
Jones lands a two punch combo.
Jones thows a leg kick but Sagat checks it
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sagat walks into a jab.
Sagat lands with a shot to the body.
Jones throws a shot to the body.
Good work by Jones as he checks the leg kick.
Sagat throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sagat is looking to wear down Jones with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Jones misses with a two punch combination.
A slow jab from Sagat misses its intended target.
Sagat misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sagat just misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sagat pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jones misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Sagat had his way with Tom Jones in that round.
The cut man is working on Tom Jones's cut.
That's time! Sagat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Jones lands a right hook to the body.
Jones throws a leg kick but Sagat sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sagat misses with a hook. Jones ducked under it nicely.
Jones shoots in but no luck this time.
Jones ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jones misses with a looping right.
Sagat throws a head kick that misses.
Jones throws a hook but Sagat blocks it.
Jones throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jones throws a right and a left that Sagat avoids nicely.
Jones looks to land a left hand but Sagat moved out of range nicely.
Jones keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones tries a low kick but Sagat avoids it.
Sagat misses with a hook.
Jones walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sagat checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sagat ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jones moves away.
Jones fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sagat on the side of the head.
Sagat throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jones pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jones keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Jones blocks a head kick by Sagat.
Jones keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jones lands a nice looking body shot.
Tom Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Sagat is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sagat lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Jones has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Jones and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sagat wants to slow Jones down by chopping away at his legs.
Jones scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sagat doesn't seem bothered though.
Sagat staying out of range there.
Jones fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sagat manages to avoid it.
Sagat ducks under a wild hook from Jones.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jones. Sagat does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jones swings widly with a right hand
letting Sagat counter with a right hand.
Sagat takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jones swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sagat counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jones tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sagat is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sagat misses with an uppercut. Jones saw that one coming.
Sagat misses with a kick to the body.
Jones misses with a hook.
Jones thows a body shot but no joy.
Jones misses the shot to the body.
Sagat misses with a looping right.
Sagat fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Jones checks it well.
Jones misses with a looping left.
Jones throws a jab but it's blocked by Sagat.
Jones throws a jab when Sagat was well out of range.
Jones keeps Sagat at a distance using the push kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sagat at a distance.
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!

Jones closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
An elbow from Jones crashes against the mat.
Jones throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sagat works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Sagat moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Jones trying to control but Sagat is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sagat working a defensive guard here.
Sagat looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sagat has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 48:48
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
John Sagat retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!