PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sanji Sanpun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Speedy Atkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanpun kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Snacktime - Barenaked Ladies. Atkins has chosen big in japan as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Sanpun
vs
Atkins

178 cm
26
157 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

167 cm
28
150 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sanji Sanpun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Speedy Atkins!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atkins falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sanpun counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sanpun.
Sanpun blocking some punches.
Atkins can't find room to land a body shot as Sanpun controls the action.
Sanpun throws an elbow that misses.
Atkins tries to work over Sanpun's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sanpun tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Atkins's elbow.
A short left from Sanpun.
Atkins scores with a shot to the side of Sanpun's head.
Sanpun digs a right hand into Atkins's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Atkins's gas tank.
Atkins tries a body shot but Sanpun blocks it.
Atkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanpun.
Sanpun throws a knee to the head but misses.
Atkins misses with a punch to the body.
Atkins misses with a punch on the inside.
Sanpun creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Atkins tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sanpun digs a right hand into Atkins's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Atkins's gas tank.
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!
Atkins pushes Sanpun back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sanpun throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sanpun just misses with a elbow thrown towards Atkins's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanpun is working for takedown but Atkins is calmly controlling the position for now.

Sanpun has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Atkins uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanpun is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sanpun is working hard here to advance position.

Atkins has gone for a leg lock! Sanpun slips out almost immediately though and dives into Atkins's guard.

Atkins looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sanpun connects with a couple of short punches.
Sanpun trying to control but Atkins is working from the bottom.

Atkins looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sanpun got a little sloppy there for a moment and Atkins has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sanpun has managed to get both his arms back between Atkins's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun tries to free his leg and advance position but Atkins is retaining full guard.

Atkins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanpun pushes down on Atkins's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sanpun lands a nice short elbow.
Sanpun will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sanpun trying to control the pace.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sanpun landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Sanpun is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Atkins makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Atkins.
Atkins is trying to control the position but Sanpun postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins keeping moving, preventing Sanpun from controlling successfully.
Atkins utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Atkins is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sanpun defends well.
Sanpun landing with the ground and pound.

Atkins working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sanpun doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sanpun manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Atkins has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sanpun can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Atkins looking for a guillotine here but Sanpun defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun trying to control the position from guard on top but Atkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Atkins throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Sanpun scoring with punches to the head and body.

Atkins is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sanpun is aware though and is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanpun with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Atkins is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Sanpun 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Atkins looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sanpun content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sanji Sanpun will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Atkins tries to clinch up.
Sanpun fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Atkins checks it well.
Atkins misses with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Atkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sanpun lands with a right hand.
Sanpun shoots in looking for a takedown. Atkins tries to sprawl out of it but Sanpun keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Atkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Atkins tries to clinch there but Sanpun circles away.
A solid body kick from Atkins.
Sanpun walks into a jab.
Sanpun misses with a head kick.
Sanpun on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Atkins. Atkins obviously looking to wear him down.

Atkins gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sanpun changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Atkins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sanpun looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Atkins dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanji Sanpun is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkins tries to clinch up but Sanpun circles away and keeps his distance.
Atkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Sanpun looking to score a takedown here. Atkins is defending well but Sanpun drives through and ends up in Atkins's guard.
Sanpun lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Atkins looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Atkins looking for subs off his back but Sanpun has passed one foot through into half guard.

Atkins looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Atkins is trying to get back to full guard.

Sanpun is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Atkins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Atkins is looking to improve his position.

Atkins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanpun looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Atkins is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanpun pulls his head out easily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sanpun connects with a nice short shot to Atkins's temple.
Sanpun drops an elbow to the side of Atkins's head.
Atkins is pressing down on Sanpun's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Atkins has his foot on Sanpun's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sanpun works his way back into a safe position though.
Atkins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Atkins looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sanpun passes into half guard.
Atkins is breathing heavily.
Sanpun tries to pass the half guard into mount. Atkins knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Atkins is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanpun pulls his head out easily.
Sanpun content to control rather than advance.

Sanpun is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Atkins doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sanpun.
Sanpun wants to control but Atkins is keeping him busy.

Atkins is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanpun pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun is looking to take a break and control but Atkins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Atkins looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sanpun is trying to control the action in half guard but Atkins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sanpun is nestled in close to Atkins, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sanpun is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Atkins has hold of Sanpun's hands but Sanpun slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sanpun wants to free his trapped foot but Atkins is holding on for dear life with his legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sanpun seems to be looking for submissions.
Sanji Sanpun overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Atkins is looking for a sweep. Sanpun is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sanji Sanpun will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Atkins darts in trying to clinch
and Sanpun counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Sanpun shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sanpun showed some decent athleticism there.
Sanpun is keen to just control but Atkins is a slippery customer.
Atkins wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Sanpun there.
Sanpun looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Atkins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Atkins is trying to maintain the position but Sanpun is very close to passing his half guard.

Sanpun is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Atkins doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sanpun.
Sanpun sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Atkins defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanpun prevents Atkins from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sanpun connects with a nice short shot to Atkins's temple.

Atkins looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Atkins gets full guard.
Sanpun controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sanpun trying to control but Atkins is working from the bottom.
Sanpun lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun wants to pass the guard but Atkins is keeping the position.

Atkins is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sanpun defends well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sanpun's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sanpun landing with the ground and pound.
Sanpun wants to control from the top but Atkins keeps moving.
Sanpun stopping the sweep attempt from Atkins.
Sanpun throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanpun passes Atkins's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sanpun working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins is trying to get back to full guard.
Atkins trying to control but Sanpun postures up.

Atkins is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Sanpun is tapping! Great win for Atkins!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:17 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Speedy Atkins!
Speedy Atkins was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.