PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Connolly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Joe Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Connolly
vs
Joe Saunders

182 cm
23
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Top Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jack Connolly !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Billy Joe Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Connolly .
Saunders rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Connolly moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saunders shoots in looking for a takedown. Connolly tries to sprawl out of it but Saunders keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Connolly manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Saunders fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Connolly sprawls well initially but Saunders persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Connolly looks like he's trying to stand up.
Saunders really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Connolly . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Connolly wants to improve his position but Saunders is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connolly looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Connolly is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Saunders pulls his head out easily.
Connolly is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connolly is looking for a sweep. Saunders is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saunders wants to stand up but Connolly is controlling the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Saunders misses with a series of wild punches.
Connolly throws a sloppy head kick and Saunders moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Saunders cracks Connolly with an open hand slap.
Saunders shoots in and drives through. Connolly sprawls well.
Billy Joe Saunders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saunders tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Connolly defends well and Saunders ends up having to push Connolly into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jack Connolly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Billy Joe Saunders.
Saunders is trying to drag Connolly to the mat but Connolly just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Connolly avoids it.
Connolly is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Saunders gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saunders drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saunders is trying to force a seperation but Connolly has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connolly tries to circle away but Saunders has him pinned against the cage.
Saunders has had enough of the clinch but Connolly keeps him there for the moment.
Saunders tries to pull guard but Connolly holds him up against the cage and eventually Saunders drops back down to his feet.
Saunders is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Saunders with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Connolly pulls guard successfully.
Saunders wants to get up but he can't break Connolly 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Connolly is looking for a triangle here but Saunders uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Saunders tries to stand but Connolly is controlling his head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Connolly pushes Saunders away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Saunders gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Joe Saunders dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Saunders closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Jack Connolly has been cut.
Connolly tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunders dances in with a quick combination. Connolly is being worked over with jabs and crosses. Oooh, a right straight from Saunders snaps Connolly 's head back. Connolly stumbles backwards against the cage. Saunders steps forward and delivers a right cross that connects with Connolly 's jaw, simultaneously knocking him out and sending his mouthpiece into the crowd! There's a worthy souvenir for the fans. This one is over folks. Connolly just didn't come prepared.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:13 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Billy Joe Saunders!