PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Sandoval (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonny Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevens has chosen In the Dark as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Sandoval
vs
Stevens

170 cm
26
135 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

175 cm
31
138 lbs
18 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joseph Sandoval!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jonny Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Stevens with that takedown attempt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sandoval, right into the meat.

Sandoval closes the distance and clinches.
Stevens is working for takedown but Sandoval is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sandoval with a knee to the head.
Stevens wants a takedown.
Joseph Sandoval has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Stevens.
Stevens avoids the elbow strike from Sandoval, against the cage.
Sandoval misses with a knee strike.
Stevens blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sandoval throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stevens blocks it with crossed arms.
Stevens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sandoval avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stevens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sandoval gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sandoval throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Sandoval throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sandoval gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevens.

Stevens pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandoval trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stevens looking to control but Sandoval passes into half guard.
Sandoval passes into side control, despite Stevens's attempt to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval controls the position from side control.

Sandoval decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Donk. Sandoval catches Stevens right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sandoval is fending him off so far but Stevens persists. Nope, Sandoval circles away and we're back to standing.
Sandoval shoots in but Stevens avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Stevens moves into range and clinches up with Sandoval.
Sandoval lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sandoval scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.
Stevens is looking to control Sandoval's arms but Sandoval gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stevens has his back to the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sandoval.
Sandoval with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sandoval gets underhooks to prevent Stevens's takedown attempt.
Sandoval scores a nice knee to the body.
Sandoval trying to land knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Sandoval.
Sandoval lands a damaging elbow.
Sandoval misses with a knee strike.
Sandoval is pressed up against the cage. Stevens has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sandoval down to the mat. Sandoval avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Stevens shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sandoval manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sandoval controls Stevens momentarily but Stevens frees himself.
Sandoval wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Stevens controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sandoval is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Joseph Sandoval has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Sandoval tries to sprawl but Stevens drives through with a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Sandoval dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Horrible takedown by Stevens or perhaps it was just good defense by Sandoval which made him look bad.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt
and Sandoval counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice sprawl there from Sandoval as Stevens shoots in.
Joseph Sandoval has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Stevens.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sandoval.
Stevens with a lazy takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Stevens tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sandoval defends well and Stevens ends up having to push Sandoval into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sandoval lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Stevens or not.
Sandoval misses with a knee to the head.
Stevens is trying to pull guard but Sandoval turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Stevens takes an elbow to the temple.
Stevens is trying to pull guard but Sandoval turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sandoval with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sandoval blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stevens tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sandoval with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sandoval gets underhooks to prevent Stevens's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandoval with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stevens jumps guard but Sandoval turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sandoval scores a nice knee to the body.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Stevens is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stevens drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sandoval pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sandoval thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stevens if he has to take too many more of those.
Stevens with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sandoval cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stevens misses with a takedown attempt - Sandoval sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stevens looks for a takedown but Sandoval sprawls well.
Horrible takedown by Sandoval or perhaps it was just good defense by Stevens which made him look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Stevens shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sandoval counters with a solid body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevens shoots in for a takedown but Sandoval shows good takedown defense.

Stevens fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sandoval, pushing him back against the cage.
Sandoval misses with a knee strike.

Stevens has hold of one of Sandoval's legs. Sandoval is fighting the takedown attempt but Stevens gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Stevens prevents Sandoval from getting back to his feet.
Sandoval working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stevens.
Sandoval wants to sweep but no luck.
Sandoval has his hands on Stevens's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to move into half guard but instead Sandoval has managed to sweep!
Stevens trying to keep a closed guard but Sandoval is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joseph Sandoval wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sandoval throws a sloppy head kick and Stevens moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from Sandoval as Stevens shoots in.
Sandoval connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stevens. Stevens circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stevens with a poor takedown
and Sandoval connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sandoval counters with a slapping leg kick.
Stevens looks for a takedown but Sandoval sprawls well.

Sandoval moves into the clinch successfully.
Sandoval lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stevens backwards.
A knee to the head by Sandoval.
Stevens takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevens working hard to break the clinch.
Sandoval missing with knees to the body.
Stevens goes for a takedown attempt but Sandoval pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sandoval connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sandoval lands with a hook. Stevens tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sandoval as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Sandoval dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Stevens walks into a stiff left hand from Sandoval.
Stevens closes the distance and clinches up with Sandoval, looking for a takedown. Stevens pushes Sandoval against the cage but Sandoval circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stevens dives in and grabs Sandoval's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sandoval pushes down on Stevens's head and hops out.
Sandoval dives in for a single leg takedown but Stevens sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nice elbow from Sandoval.
Stevens avoiding damage as Sandoval throws knees to the body.
Sandoval pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevens leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Stevens tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Joseph Sandoval has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Stevens.
Sandoval with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sandoval is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stevens is defending well for now.
Stevens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sandoval avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Sandoval won't allow it.
Sandoval misses with a knee to the head.
Stevens is trying to maintain a safe position but Sandoval gets an underhook and turns Stevens into the cage.
Sandoval connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stevens's face.
Stevens is trying to drag Sandoval to the mat but Sandoval just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stevens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandoval trying to land knees to the body.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.

Stevens pulls Sandoval into guard.
Sandoval controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

We're going to have a standup here because Joseph Sandoval wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Sandoval misses the jab.

Sandoval rushes Stevens and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stevens is working for takedown but Sandoval is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sandoval is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens stalling.
Sandoval with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sandoval using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stevens has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sandoval trying to land knees to the body.

Stevens decides to pull guard.
Stevens is pulling down on Sandoval's head. It's preventing any offense from Sandoval, at least for the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stevens fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sandoval avoids it really well and circles away.
Stevens closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sandoval circles away.
Jonny Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch lands to the side of Stevens 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sandoval forces Stevens back against the cage and clinches.
Sandoval misses with a knee strike.
Stevens fails to pull guard.
Sandoval takes a knee right on the jaw!

Stevens drags the fight down to the ground.
Stevens trying to control the position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joseph Sandoval wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sandoval fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stevens checks it well.
Sandoval lands a nice leg kick that just misses Stevens's sensitive parts.
Joseph Sandoval is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sandoval drives through and clinches with Stevens against the cage.
Sandoval tries to land knees in the clinch but Stevens avoids the damage to the body.
Sandoval looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stevens is looking for a takedown.
Jonny Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sandoval throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stevens blocks it with crossed arms.
Sandoval pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Stevens lands a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sandoval seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sandoval looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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 Joseph Sandoval.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sandoval, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Sandoval!
During a confident post fight interview, Joseph Sandoval thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.