PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Walter Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel Sands (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Jones
vs
Sands

180 cm
25
163 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

181 cm
22
160 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Walter Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joel Sands!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sands tries for a takedown but Jones sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sands tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jones sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sands somewhat.
Jones chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sands can pounce on him.
Sands tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jones sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sands somewhat.
Walter Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Sands.
Sands stuffs the takedown.
Jones rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sands moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jones looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sands throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Jones stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Sands looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jones is fending him off so far but Sands persists. Nope, Jones circles away and we're back to standing.
Sands 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 is breathing heavily.
Sands fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Sands moves into the clinch.

Sands breaks from the clinch.
Jones shoots in for a double leg but Sands sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sands swats away the attempt to clinch by Jones.
Jones shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sands but Sands pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jones wants to clinch

and Sands counters with a shoot takedown. Jones fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sands trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Sands's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Jones is trying to keep Sands in close.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sands slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joel Sands wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sands tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jones sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sands somewhat.
Horrible takedown by Sands or perhaps it was just good defense by Jones which made him look bad.
Nice sprawl there from Jones as Sands shoots in.
Sands shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sands shoots for a double leg takedown but Jones sprawls well. He's pushed Sands's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jones fails to land the takedown.
Sands fails with the takedown.
Jones fails with the takedown.

Jones looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sands!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones looking to control but Sands is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Sands dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jones tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sands swivels and escapes.
A nice combination there by Sands.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt.
Sands misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Sands.
Walter Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jones throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sands's waist but Sands gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jones off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sands misses with a takedown

and Jones holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones gets underhooks to prevent Sands's takedown attempt.
Jones has Sands pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sands manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Jones is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Sands can't fight it off and eventually Jones manages to take the fight to the floor. Sands looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Sands looking for a guillotine here but Jones defends easily.
Jones throws a big elbow that misses.
Jones preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a strike but Sands rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jones wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Sands manages to pass to side control.
Sands thows a huge punch but Jones dodges it nicely.
Jones is refusing to be controlled, as Sands sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jones on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jones tries to get out of the position.
Sands trying to control from half guard but Jones is working away.
Sands trying to advance position but Jones counters by regaining guard.
Jones trying to keep a closed guard but Sands is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sands wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joel Sands wasn't active enough on the ground.
Jones shoots in for a double leg but Sands sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sands!
Sands tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jones swivels and escapes.
Joel Sands seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sands dives in and grabs Jones's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes down on Sands's head and hops out.
Jones shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sands sprawls well. Sands wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
Sands tries to clinch but Jones moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jones is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sands's half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sands is not content to let Jones control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joel Sands will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sands shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jones as he avoids it easily.
Sands throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Jones.
Jones tries to clinch there but Sands circles away.
Sands wants to clinch up but Jones keeps it at a distance.
Jones throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sands looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jones leaves Sands with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sands tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sands shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jones as he avoids it easily.
Walter Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Sands.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but Sands swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sands changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jones tries to avoid it but Sands manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jones to the ground. Jones escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sands fails with the takedown

and Jones counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Jones missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Jones is working for a kimura but Sands is defending it quite comfortably.
Jones trying to pass the guard but Sands defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sands regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jones loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sands working a defensive guard here.
Sands keeping full guard, as Jones tries to pass.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sands working a defensive guard here.

Sands is looking for a triangle but Jones pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sands keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Sands is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

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

Jones looking for subs off his back but Sands has passed one foot through into half guard.
Sands is trying to control. Jones wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sands thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jones's head.

Jones manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Jones leaves Sands with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sands avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sands slaps away a takedown attempt from Jones, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Walter Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joel Sands is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jones misses with a jab, cross combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Walter Jones.
I think Sands 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joel Sands!