PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between AJ Pasion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Ponjev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pasion's entrance music is Enter Sandman. A fine choice. Sam Ponjev is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Pasion
vs
Ponjev

185 cm
26
170 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
26
180 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

DROPPIN BODIES

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, AJ Pasion!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sam Ponjev!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponjev shoots in but Pasion avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ponjev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Ponjev has Pasion up against the cage in a clinch.
Ponjev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ponjev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ponjev misses with some punches.
Pasion is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ponjev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Pasion is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ponjev is defending well.
Pasion letting Ponjev take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponjev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Ponjev breaks from the clinch.
Ponjev throws a push kick but Pasion slaps the foot to one side.
Pasion stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pasion wants it to stay on the feet.
AJ Pasion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Ponjev.

Ponjev pushes Pasion up against the cage in a clinch.

Pasion has picked Ponjev up - he's going for a ride! Pasion dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Pasion 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.
Ponjev wants to get back to full guard.
Pasion trying to mount his opponent but Ponjev defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pasion looks to land a strike but Ponjev avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Ponjev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pasion pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ponjev is keeping the position for now.
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!
Pasion throws an elbow that misses. Ponjev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pasion's guard. Nice move by Ponjev!
Ponjev trying to control but Pasion is working from the bottom.
Ponjev distracts Pasion with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponjev postures up and lands a big shot to Pasion's brow.
Ponjev trying to control but Pasion is working from the bottom.
Pasion is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ponjev is controlling him.
Pasion keeping moving, preventing Ponjev from controlling successfully.
Ponjev throwing strikes from guard but Pasion blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pasion keeping moving, preventing Ponjev from controlling successfully.
Ponjev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Ponjev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sam Ponjev wasn't active enough on the ground.
Pasion uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ponjev.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pasion keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ponjev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pasion checks the leg kick.
A slow jab from Ponjev misses its intended target.
Pasion looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Ponjev looks to land a right hand but Pasion moved out of range.
A jab from Ponjev misses.
Ponjev throws a poor cross that misses
and Pasion counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ponjev looks to land a combination but Pasion avoids it well.
Ponjev tries for a takedown but Pasion sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ponjev fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponjev tries to clinch up.
A big right from Ponjev misses.
Ponjev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pasion was well out of range. Poor timing from Ponjev.
Ponjev misses with a hook. Pasion ducked under it nicely.
Pasion takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice sprawl there from Pasion as Ponjev shoots in.
Ponjev scores with a hook to the body. Pasion takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Ponjev. That snapped Pasion's head back.
Ponjev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pasion avoids it really well and circles away.
AJ Pasion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Ponjev.
A head kick by Ponjev misses
and Pasion counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ponjev goes for a double leg but Pasion avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Pasion continues to drive forward.
Pasion on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pasion tries for a takedown but Ponjev manages to get underhooks.

Ponjev successfully pulls guard.
Pasion trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pasion pushes down on Ponjev's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pasion trying to mount his opponent but Ponjev defends it.
Pasion is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pasion wants to free his trapped foot but Ponjev is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ground and pound from Pasion.
Ponjev gets full guard.
Pasion scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pasion stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ponjev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ponjev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pasion trying to move into half guard but instead Ponjev has managed to sweep!
Ponjev stops Pasion from standing up.
Ponjev throws a big right hand that misses.
Pasion utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ponjev throws an elbow that misses. Pasion uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ponjev's guard. Nice move by Pasion!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pasion stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ponjev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
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 AJ Pasion will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ponjev misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Pasion counters with a nice body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Pasion as Ponjev shoots in.
Ponjev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pasion.
Pasion walks into a jab.
Ponjev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pasion paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ponjev misses with a two punch combination.
Pasion steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ponjev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pasion circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pasion moves away from the strike by Ponjev.
Ponjev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ponjev misses with a low kick.
Pasion takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ponjev throws the left hand but Pasion avoids the punch easily.
Ponjev is looking to land body kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pasion bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ponjev misses with a right hand
and Pasion counters with a series of strikes. Ponjev will be more careful next time no doubt.

Pasion gets tackled into the cage by Ponjev. Ponjev maintains the clinch.
Ponjev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ponjev stalling the fight.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Pasion goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ponjev prevents it.
Pasion is pressed up against the cage. Ponjev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pasion down to the mat. Pasion avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Pasion as Ponjev shoots in.
AJ Pasion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Ponjev.
Pasion checks a leg kick.
Pasion circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ponjev instigates a clinch.
Ponjev taking a breather.
Ponjev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ponjev is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponjev looking to stall.

Ponjev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ponjev misses with a takedown attempt
and Pasion counters with a left and a right that stings Ponjev.
Pasion slips under a jab.
Ponjev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Pasion counters with a series of strikes. Ponjev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ponjev thows a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Ponjev really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ponjev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ponjev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pasion swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ponjev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ponjev closes the distance and clinches up with Pasion, looking for a takedown. Ponjev pushes Pasion against the cage but Pasion circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ponjev tries to clinch but Pasion is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ponjev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ponjev postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Ponjev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ponjev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pasion keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pasion pushes Ponjev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ponjev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ponjev tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ponjev has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Pasion wants to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes there by Ponjev.
The strikes coming from Ponjev are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Ponjev throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Pasion works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponjev working Pasion over with strikes.

Ponjev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pasion looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponjev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pasion looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pasion regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ponjev.
Ponjev connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Ponjev dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ponjev stalks Pasion and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Pasion's face. Pasion staggers backwards, shaken.
Ponjev shoots in for a takedown but Pasion shows good takedown defense.
Pasion slips a straight right by Ponjev.

Ponjev drives through and clinches with Pasion against the cage.

Ponjev has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pasion uses from the top position.
Ponjev keeping full guard, as Pasion tries to pass.
Ponjev trying to control the position here.
Pasion has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pasion trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pasion throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ponjev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Ponjev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pasion defends well.
Pasion postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ponjev looking to control.
Ponjev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pasion.
Ponjev controlling Pasion's posture.
Pasion tries to free his leg and advance position but Ponjev is retaining full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ponjev wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pasion pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ponjev is keeping the position for now.
Pasion lands a couple of digs.
Pasion landing some decent shots from guard.
Ponjev is trying to control the position but Pasion postures up.
Pasion stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ponjev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ponjev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pasion wants to pass the guard but Ponjev is keeping the position.
Ponjev is trying to control the position but Pasion postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Sam Ponjev.

Ponjev darts in and clinches Pasion up against the cage.
Sam Ponjev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ponjev prevents the takedown attempt.
Pasion has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ponjev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pasion tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AJ Pasion. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ponjev pulls guard effortlessly.
Pasion wants to pass the guard but Ponjev is keeping the position.
Pasion advances to half guard.
Pasion trying to mount his opponent but Ponjev defends it.
Pasion throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pasion is looking to advance position but Ponjev won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pasion is nestled in close to Ponjev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
AJ Pasion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ponjev is trying to control but can't.

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 AJ Pasion.
I think Ponjev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 45:50
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 47:49
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Ponjev!
Sam Ponjev is the new welterweight champion!
A relieved looking Sam Ponjev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
AJ Pasion spoke after the fight, saying 'be back stronger next time'.