PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Fitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rhya Sankfurt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fitch
vs
Sankfurt

183 cm
23
177 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

210 cm
26
175 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anderson Fitch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rhya Sankfurt!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fitch throws a head kick but Sankfurt moves out of range.
Sankfurt shoots in but no luck this time.
Fitch misses with a wild combination.
Sankfurt scores with a jab. Fitch acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fitch throws a head kick that misses.
Sankfurt fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sankfurt lands with a slapping head kick.

Fitch has managed to clinch.
Sankfurt wants to break free but Fitch has control.
Sankfurt is looking for a takedown.
Fitch is pressed up against the cage. Sankfurt has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fitch down to the mat. Fitch avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Anderson Fitch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rhya Sankfurt.
Fitch throws a head kick that misses
and Sankfurt counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sankfurt tries to clinch up.
Anderson Fitch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sankfurt moves in looking to clinch but Fitch pushes him off.
Fitch lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sankfurt tries a head kick but it misses.
Fitch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sankfurt fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sankfurt moves in looking to clinch but Fitch pushes him off.
Sankfurt misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sankfurt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sankfurt avoids the head kick by Fitch.
Fitch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fitch throws a sloppy head kick and Sankfurt moves out of range easily.

Fitch darts in and clinches Sankfurt up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Fitch takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sankfurt jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fitch walks away with a smile on his face. Sankfurt gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sankfurt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitch's waist but Fitch gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sankfurt off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitch lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Fitch throws a body kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Fitch.

Fitch rushes Sankfurt and presses him up against the cage.

Fitch breaks from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sankfurt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fitch swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fitch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sankfurt closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitch circles away.
Fitch is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Anderson Fitch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fitch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sankfurt.
Sankfurt looks gassed!
Fitch misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fitch throws a nice head kick!
Sankfurt takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Fitch lands with a kick to the temple. Sankfurt shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Sankfurt blocks a head kick by Fitch.
Sankfurt shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fitch as he jumps to the side.
Sankfurt fails with the takedown.
Fitch throws a head kick but Sankfurt moves out of range.
Fitch misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Fitch.

Fitch moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sankfurt changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fitch fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitch misses with a head kick.
Sankfurt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fitch defends it nicely.
Sankfurt throws a hook but Fitch blocks it.
A head kick misses from Fitch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitch throws a series of punches but Sankfurt avoids them all with ease.

Fitch has closed the distance and engaged Sankfurt in a clinch.
Fitch missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Fitch dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fitch throws a sloppy head kick
and Sankfurt counters with a two punch combo.
Sankfurt doesn't manage to clinch there - Fitch circles away.
Sankfurt blocks a head kick by Fitch.
Sankfurt with a lazy takedown attempt
and Fitch counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Sankfurt moves in looking to clinch but Fitch pushes him off.
Sankfurt tries for a takedown but Fitch sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fitch throws a sloppy head kick and Sankfurt moves out of range easily.
Fitch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sankfurt throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Fitch counters with a solid body kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sankfurt, as that shot connected.
Fitch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Anderson Fitch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rhya Sankfurt.
Sankfurt is breathing heavily.
Fitch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fitch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch scores with a kick to the midsection.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sankfurt.
Fitch misses with a head kick.
Fitch avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitch throws a sloppy head kick and Sankfurt moves out of range easily.
Sankfurt avoids the head kick by Fitch.
Fitch tries a head kick but it misses.
Sankfurt shoots and misses
and Fitch counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Sankfurt fails with a takedown attempt.
Sankfurt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Fitch.
Anderson Fitch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitch tries a head kick but it misses.
Fitch connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sankfurt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fitch tries to avoid it but Sankfurt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fitch to the ground. Fitch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Fitch gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitch lands a nice knee to the body.
Fitch missing with knees to the body.
Sankfurt blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Fitch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fitch lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Fitch fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sankfurt has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fitch lands with a kick to the temple. Sankfurt shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Fitch pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice body kick there by Fitch.
Sankfurt fails with a takedown attempt.
Fitch throws a head kick that misses.
Sankfurt avoids the head kick by Fitch.
Fitch slaps away a takedown attempt from Sankfurt, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fitch connects with a high kick.
Horrible takedown by Sankfurt or perhaps it was just good defense by Fitch which made him look bad.
Fitch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sankfurt drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fitch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sankfurt shoots in for a takedown but Fitch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Fitch gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sankfurt dodges an elbow strike from Fitch.
Sankfurt blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Sankfurt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Fitch clinches up against the cage.
Sankfurt on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitch tries to land knees in the clinch but Sankfurt avoids the damage to the body.
Fitch stops a takedown attempt from Sankfurt.

Fitch has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Sankfurt uses from the top position.
Sankfurt tries to free his leg and advance position but Fitch is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Fitch dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Sankfurt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitch is fending him off so far but Sankfurt persists. Nope, Fitch circles away and we're back to standing.
Fitch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fitch throws a body kick that misses.
Fitch throws a lazy head kick
letting Sankfurt counter with a right hand.
A head kick by Fitch misses
and Sankfurt counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sankfurt is looking to land body kicks.

Fitch closes the distance and clinches.
Fitch pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sankfurt is trying to break the clinch but Fitch is controlling him.
Good body shot from Fitch.
Sankfurt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fitch controlling the action here for a moment.

Fitch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sankfurt avoids the head kick by Fitch.
Fitch misses with a two punch combination.
Sankfurt is trying desperately to land a takedown but Fitch is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Sankfurt.
Fitch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Fitch moves into the clinch successfully.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Fitch takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fitch tries to work over Sankfurt's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sankfurt fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sankfurt wants to take the fight to the mat but Fitch manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Anderson Fitch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rhya Sankfurt.
Fitch slowing the pace effectively.
Sankfurt has Fitch pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fitch manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sankfurt jumps guard but Fitch stands there with Sankfurt around his waist. Sankfurt gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sankfurt wants to get back to striking at distance but Fitch won't allow it.
Sankfurt avoiding damage as Fitch throws knees to the body.
Sankfurt takes an elbow to the temple.
Fitch lands a nice elbow.
Sankfurt managing to block the knees to the body from Fitch.
Sankfurt connects with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Fitch as Sankfurt tries to tie him up.
Fitch misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sankfurt.
Fitch avoiding damage.
Fitch is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sankfurt is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sankfurt managing to block the knees to the body from Fitch.
Sankfurt wants a takedown but no success here.
Fitch looking to throw knees to the head but Sankfurt is blocking nicely.
Sankfurt on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sankfurt managing to block the knees to the body from Fitch.
Fitch lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sankfurt managing to block the knees to the body from Fitch.
Sankfurt jumps guard but Fitch turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Fitch using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sankfurt goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fitch prevents it.
Anderson Fitch has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fitch tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sankfurt avoids it.

Fitch escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sankfurt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitch is fending him off so far but Sankfurt persists. Nope, Fitch circles away and we're back to standing.
Fitch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sankfurt avoids the head kick by Fitch.
Sankfurt avoids the head kick by Fitch.
Sankfurt avoids a punch combination nicely.
A head kick misses from Fitch.
Sankfurt shoots in but Fitch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Fitch. Sankfurt shrugs it off though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sankfurt circles away quickly and effectively.
Rhya Sankfurt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anderson Fitch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fitch throws a right and a left that Sankfurt avoids nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anderson Fitch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fitch has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anderson Fitch!