PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Philipp Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrik Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henrik Larsson will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Sanders
vs
Larsson

180 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
23
200 lbs
6 - 11 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Philipp Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henrik Larsson!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanders looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sanders tries to bum rush Larsson with a series of wild strikes but Larsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sanders fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch combination from Sanders misses.
Larsson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sanders finds it's way round the side to connect with Larsson's head.
A slow jab from Larsson misses its intended target.
Sanders lands a nice leg kick that just misses Larsson's sensitive parts.
Sanders misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sanders displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sanders ducks under a wild hook from Larsson.
Larsson dodges the punch combination from Sanders.
Larsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Sanders manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Larsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Larsson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A good leg kick by Sanders.
Sanders moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sanders stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larsson moves into the clinch.
Sanders is looking to break free of the clinch but Larsson has double underhooks.

Larsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Larsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Sanders tries to sprawl out of it but Larsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sanders manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Philipp Sanders is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanders checks a leg kick.
Sanders lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Larsson backs up against the cage.
Nice jab there from Sanders.
Sanders connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sanders stalks Larsson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Larsson's face. Larsson staggers backwards, shaken.
Larsson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sanders.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Larsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Crunch! Sanders slams his shin into Larsson's torso.
Sanders moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Larsson drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson prevents Sanders from getting back to his feet.

Larsson gets to his feet - Sanders follows without any prompting.
Sanders lands a two punch combo.
Larsson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sanders.
Larsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sanders is fending him off so far but Larsson persists. Nope, Sanders circles away and we're back to standing.
Philipp Sanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrik Larsson.
Larsson looks gassed!
Sanders lands a jab-cross combination.
Sanders lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Sanders.
A left and a right from Sanders both land. Nice combination.
Larsson wants to clinch.
Sanders scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sanders looks to land a combination. Larsson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sloppy strikes from Sanders. Those never looked like landing.
Sanders lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Larsson backs up against the cage.
Sanders buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A left and a right from Sanders both land. Nice combination.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sanders.
Sanders lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sanders lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Larsson backs up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanders scores with a one two! Larsson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A nice combination there by Sanders.
Sanders throws a nice looking combination but Larsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sanders connects with a leg kick. Larsson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sanders misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Sanders. Those never looked like landing.
Sanders throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sanders misses with a double jab.
Larsson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sanders scores with a one two! Larsson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sanders chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sanders lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Larsson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Larsson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Larsson scores with a takedown into Sanders's guard.
Larsson won't allow Sanders to get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Larsson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Larsson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philipp Sanders dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sanders lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Larsson circles away quickly and effectively.
Sanders throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Larsson.
Larsson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A left and a right from Sanders both land. Nice combination.
Sanders misses with a two punch combination.
Larsson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sanders throws a series of punches but Larsson moves out of range.
Sanders misses with a two punch combination.
Philipp Sanders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanders moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Larsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Sanders manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Larsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Larsson dodges the punch combination from Sanders.
Sanders connects with a leg kick. Larsson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sanders cracks the inside of Larsson's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sanders lands a jab-cross combination.
A good leg kick by Sanders.
Sloppy strikes from Sanders. Those never looked like landing.
Sanders throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Larsson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanders swivels and escapes.
Philipp Sanders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Philipp Sanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrik Larsson.
Sanders stuffs the takedown.
Larsson is breathing heavily.
Sanders cracks Larsson with an open hand slap.
Sanders lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sanders will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
No luck for Larsson with that takedown attempt.
Sanders cracks the inside of Larsson's front leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sanders.
Larsson looks for a takedown but Sanders sprawls well.
Sanders throws a series of strikes that have Larsson backpedaling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanders throws a leg kick which misses Larsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Larsson tries to avoid it.
Sanders lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sanders.
Sanders throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sanders throws a right and a left that Larsson avoids nicely.
Larsson wants to clinch.
Sanders fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sanders lands a nice leg kick that just misses Larsson's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders scores with a three punch combo!
Larsson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sanders displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sanders lands with a nice body kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Sanders scores with a four punch combination!
Sanders scores with a leg kick.
Sanders closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sanders goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Philipp Sanders is winning the standup battle so far.
Larsson tries to clinch but Sanders moves out of range.
Sanders lands a two punch combo.
Sanders is working the combinations to good effect here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanders looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sanders lands a jab-cross combination.
Larsson tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throws a combination. Larsson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sanders is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Larsson can do to turn this around?
Larsson misses with a takedown attempt - Sanders sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Larsson moves in looking to clinch but Sanders pushes him off.
Larsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sanders sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Larsson somewhat.
Sanders feints and then cracks Larsson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Larsson down.
Sanders throws a one two combo.
Sanders looks to land a combination. Larsson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanders scoring well with a low kick there.
A nice combination there by Sanders.
Sanders lands a jab-cross combination.
Sanders feints a jab promting Larsson to slip. Sanders then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Larsson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philipp Sanders dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Sanders. Those never looked like landing.
Sanders lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Larsson backs up against the cage.
Larsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Larsson rushes Sanders and presses him up against the cage.

Sanders escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Larsson looks to throw the jab but Sanders is out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Sanders finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sanders slips a jab and a cross from Larsson.
Larsson slips a jab and a cross from Sanders.
Sanders pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Larsson back to the cage. Sanders follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Larsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Sanders circles away.
Sanders misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sanders leaves Larsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Larsson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanders.
Sanders connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sanders looks to land a combination. Larsson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sanders lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sanders cracks Larsson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sanders swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sanders feints a jab promting Larsson to slip. Sanders then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Larsson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sanders stuffs the takedown.
Philipp Sanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrik Larsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson fails with the takedown.
Larsson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sanders works over Larsson's head and body with a nice combination.
Sanders lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Larsson circles away quickly and effectively.
Sanders moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sanders pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Larsson back to the cage. Sanders follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanders scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sanders looks to land a combination. Larsson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Larsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sanders!
A slapping body kick lands there for Sanders.
Sanders scores with a three punch combo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders lands a jab-cross combination.
A right-left combo lands from Sanders.
A good leg kick by Sanders.
A nice combination there by Sanders.
Sanders works over Larsson's head and body with a nice combination.
Sanders swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Larsson shoots for a takedown but Sanders saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sanders lands a two punch combo.
Larsson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Larsson is defended easily by Sanders.
Larsson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sanders fakes the leg kick and cracks Larsson in the body.
Sanders lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Larsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Sanders tries to sprawl out of it but Larsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sanders manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanders lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Larsson backs up against the cage.
Larsson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sanders.
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!
Sanders scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Larsson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Sanders's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Henrik Larsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Philipp Sanders is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sanders scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

And that's the end of the fight!
Philipp Sanders showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanders, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Philipp Sanders!