PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koa Polunu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saunders has chosen Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to the King as his entrance music. Joe Saunders has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Polunu
vs
Saunders

176 cm
27
164 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

178 cm
26
165 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Koa Polunu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Dean Styles and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Polunu takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Saunders misses with a lunging right hand

and Polunu counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Saunders looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Polunu has picked Saunders up and slammed him! Saunders can't keep hold of the triangle and Polunu manages to pass to side control!
Saunders is trying to improve his position.
Saunders is not content to let Polunu control the position.
Saunders is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Polunu is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Saunders bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
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!
Saunders trying to control the position from guard on top but Polunu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polunu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
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.
Saunders trying to control the position from guard on top but Polunu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polunu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saunders.
Saunders slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Saunders postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Saunders trying to control but Polunu is working from the bottom.
Polunu is controlling Saunders's posture.
Saunders working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saunders is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Polunu keeping moving, preventing Saunders from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Saunders throwing strikes from guard but Polunu blocks nicely.
Saunders postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Saunders is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saunders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Polunu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Saunders with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polunu has control of Saunders's left arm, preventing Saunders from doing any damage.
Saunders postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Saunders's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Polunu keeping full guard, as Saunders tries to pass.
Saunders postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Polunu holds on and takes a little breather.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Polunu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polunu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Saunders got a little sloppy there for a moment and Polunu has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Saunders has managed to get both his arms back between Polunu's legs - danger averted.
Saunders postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Polunu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Polunu being controlled here, momentarily.
Saunders trying to control but Polunu is working from the bottom.
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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Saunders dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Polunu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Polunu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Polunu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Saunders checks it well.
Saunders misses with a straight left.
A lazy left from Polunu finds it's target.
Polunu throws a head kick but Saunders moves out of range.
Saunders has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Polunu finds it's way round the side to connect with Saunders's head.
Saunders thuds his right hand into Polunu's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Polunu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saunders.
Polunu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saunders takes one to the side of the head.
Saunders throws a lazy right hand but Polunu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polunu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saunders manages to avoid it.
Good exchange - Polunu coming out on top.
Saunders tries a head kick but it misses.

Saunders changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Polunu looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Saunders fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Joe Saunders has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saunders connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Polunu some visible discomfort.
Polunu is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Saunders asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Polunu defending against the ground and pound.
Saunders in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Saunders throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders scores with a couple of short elbows.
Saunders postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Saunders wants to lay and pray for a moment but Polunu keeps working.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saunders in side control, throwing shots but Polunu defends.
Saunders scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Polunu to see if he's OK.
Saunders misses with the ground and pound.
Polunu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Polunu's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Polunu is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Polunu keeping his opponent close.
Polunu is working to avoid the ground and pound but Saunders connects with a decent elbow.
Saunders throws an elbow but Polunu slips to the side and avoids it well.
Polunu is trying to control Saunders's posture but Saunders avoids it.
The strikes coming from Saunders are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Saunders creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Polunu sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders lands a nice forearm strike.
Saunders is working Polunu over with some ground and pound from side control.
Saunders working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Polunu is rocked!
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!
Saunders cracks Polunu with a big elbow. Oh, he's hurt! Saunders immediately mounts and start dropping bombs! Polunu is done! The referee jumps in and saves him from any more punishment - a quick and decisive finish by Saunders!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joe Saunders!
During a confident post fight interview, Joe Saunders thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.