PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rick Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryan Sanderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bryan Sanderson will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Ross
vs
Sanderson

160 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rick Ross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bryan Sanderson!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanderson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Sanderson moves into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Sanderson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Sanderson trying to control but Ross is working from the bottom.
Sanderson stopping the sweep attempt from Ross.
Ross has control of Sanderson's left arm, preventing Sanderson from doing any damage.

Ross throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson being controlled here momentarily.
Ross keeping full guard, as Sanderson tries to pass.
Ross might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ross has Sanderson pulled in close to control his posture.
Sanderson preventing the sweep.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ross moves out of range of the leg kick from Sanderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sanderson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ross counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ross.
Sanderson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ross.
Ross trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ross pushing down on Sanderson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanderson has his hands clasped together around Ross's back. He's all about the action.
Sanderson is refusing to be controlled, as Ross sits in half guard.
Ross throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ross keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ross prevents Sanderson from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson is trying to get back to full guard.

Ross wants to work for an arm triangle but Sanderson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ross is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sanderson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ross.

Ross is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sanderson sees it coming and defends easily.

Ross seems to be working for a kimura but Sanderson defends the submission attempt.
Ross is thwarting Sanderson's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ross is looking for a kimura but Sanderson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ross to get the leverage.
Ross missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ross throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Ross wants to work for an arm triangle but Sanderson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sanderson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ross not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ross looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ross thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ross perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ross sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sanderson defending well though.
Ross not doing much here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Ross dominated that round.
That's time! Ross's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ross drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ross pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sanderson is keeping the position for now.
Ross pushes down on Sanderson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sanderson is trying to stand back up but Ross is controlling him

Sanderson is defending against the submission attempts here by Ross.
Ross works his way into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ross wants to take a breather but Sanderson manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Ross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross trying to control but Sanderson is working from the bottom.
Ross stops Sanderson from standing up.
Ross trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ross throws a strike but Sanderson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sanderson wants to control from the top but Ross keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sanderson!
Sanderson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sanderson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Ross.
Sanderson is looking to get to half guard.
Sanderson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Ross.
Ross unloads with some shots from mount but Sanderson bucks and avoids them well.

Ross wants to finish this one by submission but Sanderson is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ross.
Ross looking to ground and pound but Sanderson is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross throws some wild stikes that Sanderson manages to avoid easily.
Rick Ross overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ross throwing strikes here but Sanderson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ross sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ross has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ross looking to control but Sanderson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sanderson is trying desperately to improve position.
Sanderson wants to hold on but Ross pushes him away.
Sanderson is breathing heavily.
Ross sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Ross goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sanderson is on top in guard.
Ross pulls Sanderson in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson won't allow Ross to get back to his feet.
Sanderson postures up in Ross's guard and throws a big left but Ross blocks it.
Sanderson wants to control from the top but Ross keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Ross shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sanderson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ross trying to control but Sanderson is working from the bottom.
Ross looking to sit in guard and control but Sanderson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Ross dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sanderson tries to sprawl but Ross drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Ross stalling away here and it's allowed Sanderson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ross wants to control from the top but Sanderson keeps moving.
Ross trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ross stops Sanderson from standing up.
Sanderson keeping moving, preventing Ross from controlling successfully.
Sanderson keeping full guard, as Ross tries to pass.
Sanderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ross is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ross wants to control from the top but Sanderson keeps moving.

Ross is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ross slips nicely into half guard.
Ross trying to mount his opponent but Sanderson defends it.

Ross looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Ross seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross wants to advance to full mount but Sanderson doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Ross postures up in Sanderson's guard and throws a big left but Sanderson blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ross trying to control but Sanderson is working from the bottom.
Sanderson wants to sweep but no luck.
Ross throwing strikes from guard but Sanderson blocks nicely.
Ross throws an elbow that misses. Sanderson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ross's guard. Nice move by Sanderson!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sanderson trying to control but Ross is working from the bottom.
Ross has control of Sanderson's left arm, preventing Sanderson from doing any damage.
Ross lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sanderson!
Ross lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sanderson hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Ross is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Ross!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Rick Ross!