PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Ponjev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edward Teach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ponjev
vs
Teach

185 cm
28
180 lbs
18 - 2 - 0

175 cm
28
180 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

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 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sam Ponjev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Edward Teach!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponjev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jab from Ponjev.
Ponjev lunges at Teach with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Teach's hand.

Teach scores with a takedown into Ponjev's guard.
Teach preventing the sweep.
Teach wants to control from the top but Ponjev keeps moving.
Teach is fighting to break Ponjev's control of his arms but Ponjev is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Teach in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Teach in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ponjev looking for a sweep. Not yet Ponjev, not yet.
Teach trying to control the position from guard on top but Ponjev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Teach tries for a takedown but Ponjev circles away easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Teach throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ponjev's waist but Ponjev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Teach off to one side.
Ponjev digs a good body shot into Teach's ribs.
Ponjev jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Teach moves forwards but Ponjev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ponjev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ponjev with a nice cross.

Teach fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ponjev to the ground. Teach is now in Ponjev's guard.
Teach stopping the sweep attempt from Ponjev.
Teach postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ponjev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Teach.
Ponjev seems keen to control Teach's posture.
Ponjev keeping moving, preventing Teach from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Teach postures up.

Teach avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ponjev seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Teach tries to free his leg and advance position but Ponjev is retaining full guard.
Teach wants to control from the top but Ponjev keeps moving.
Teach in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Teach trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ponjev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Teach controls the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Ponjev does no damage.
Teach fails with the takedown
and Ponjev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sam Ponjev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edward Teach.
Ponjev connects with a good right hand that stumbles Teach. Teach circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ponjev catches Teach with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ponjev is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Teach fails with the takedown
and Ponjev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Teach avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ponjev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Teach shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ponjev but Ponjev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice shot by Ponjev.
Ponjev jabs Teach right on the nose. Teach blinks but takes it well.
Ponjev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Teach misses with a takedown
and Ponjev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Teach has his takedown stuffed
and Ponjev counters with a nice uppercut.
Teach tries for a takedown but Ponjev circles away easily
and Ponjev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Teach on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ponjev.

Teach is rocked!
Teach gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ponjev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Teach is still on wobbly legs! Can Ponjev finish him?
Ponjev circles away before darting back in with a big straight right hand. It connects beautifully and sends Teach tumbling to the canvas! He's out cold! Ponjev wins by KO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Sam Ponjev!
Sam Ponjev retains his welterweight title!
An out of breath Sam Ponjev thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.