PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jackson Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Zones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alex Zones has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sampson
vs
Zones

185 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
199 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jackson Sampson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Zones!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Ron Honeybunn and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zones rushes Sampson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sampson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Zones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Zones scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Zones is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sampson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
An elbow from Zones crashes against the mat.
Sampson prevents Zones from moving into mount.
Zones tries to stand but Sampson is controlling his head.
Sampson is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Zones stalls from top position.
Zones scoring with punches from side control.
Zones really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sampson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sampson is not content to let Zones control the position.
Zones taking a break here but Sampson is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson wants to get back to full guard.

Zones stands up out of the half guard.
Zones misses with a head kick.

Zones scores with a takedown into Sampson's guard.
Zones stays in close to Sampson's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson pulls Zones in close to prevent any damage.
Sampson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Sampson keeping full guard, as Zones tries to pass.

Sampson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zones is aware though and is defending well.
Sampson is breathing heavily.
Zones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sampson is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zones postures up in Sampson's guard and throws a big left but Sampson blocks it.
Zones wants to stand and escape but instead Sampson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Zones pushes Sampson off and gets back to his feet.

Zones bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sampson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zones landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zones gets the takedown into side control.
Sampson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Sampson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Zones swings around for an armbar but Sampson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Zones's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zones had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sampson defends it easily.
Zones has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sampson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson wants to control from the top but Zones keeps moving.
Zones lands with a heel strike from the guard.

Zones is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sampson postures up in Zones's guard and throws a big left but Zones blocks it.
Sampson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sampson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sampson won't allow Zones to get back to his feet.
Zones is breathing heavily.
Sampson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Zones tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zones is looking to stand up but Sampson isn't so interested in that idea.
Sampson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sampson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zones is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sampson is controlling him.
Zones can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sampson controls the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jackson Sampson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sampson misses with a takedown
and Zones counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sampson thinking.
Zones misses with a low kick as Sampson jumps back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson tries for a takedown but Zones sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Sampson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zones, pushing him back against the cage.

Zones ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zones no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Zones looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Zones throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Alex Zones has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zones escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sampson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sampson content to stall in guard here.
Sampson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sampson wants to control from the top but Zones keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Zones had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sampson defends it easily.
Sampson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jackson Sampson.

Sampson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sampson looking to sit in guard and control but Zones gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zones wants to stand but Sampson is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Zones will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zones gets a double leg takedown into Sampson's guard.
Zones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sampson is keeping the position for now.
Zones trying to control but Sampson is working from the bottom.
Zones would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sampson working a defensive guard but Zones passes into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zones is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Zones trying to advance position but Sampson counters by regaining guard.
Zones wants to control from the top but Sampson keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alex Zones wasn't active enough on the ground.

Zones looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sampson has a closed guard, preventing Zones from standing up.
Zones lands a couple of elbows.
Zones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sampson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zones looking to sit in guard and control but Sampson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson throwing strikes but missing.
Sampson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sampson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sampson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zones keeping moving, preventing Sampson from controlling successfully.
Sampson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson Sampson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Zones pushes Sampson up against the cage in a clinch.
Sampson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zones smiles and moves away.

Sampson dives in and scores a takedown into Zones's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zones pulls Sampson in close to prevent any damage.
Sampson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Jackson Sampson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alex Zones is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zones wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Zones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zones has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Zones!