PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rod Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Soprano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanders comes to the cage accompanied by I Have a Dream. Soprano has chosen Woke Up This Morning as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sanders
vs
Soprano

195 cm
24
225 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

190 cm
22
219 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Bullet Proof System
Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rod Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tony Soprano!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanders manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Soprano on his heels. He'll look to pass Soprano's guard now, I'm sure.
Sanders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanders lands a couple of elbows.
Sanders stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Soprano swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Soprano is looking to stand up but Sanders isn't so interested in that idea.
Soprano is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sanders trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders stands and throws Soprano's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Soprano is trying to control Sanders's posture but Sanders avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soprano tries to bench press Sanders off him but Sanders keeps the position.
Sanders working the ground and pound.
Soprano dodges the ground and pound from Sanders.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soprano avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sanders.
Sanders passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Soprano!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanders scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Sanders is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Soprano has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Sanders working the ground and pound effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Soprano can do anything to dispel that myth.
Soprano is trying desperately to improve position.

Sanders goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Soprano turns into him and now he's in Sanders's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sanders is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soprano is trying is best to control the position here.
Soprano told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Sanders trying to mount his opponent but Soprano defends it.
Sanders not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanders thows a huge punch but Soprano dodges it nicely.
Sanders missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sanders scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Soprano trying to hold on to Sanders's head to control him but Sanders postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The fighters are battling for position here. Soprano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sanders pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Soprano is keeping the position for now.
Soprano wants to sweep here but Sanders controlling him for the moment.
Sanders pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Soprano is keeping the position for now.
Sanders pushes down on Soprano's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanders stops Soprano from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rod Sanders dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sanders gets a double leg takedown into Soprano's guard.
Soprano is trying to control the position but Sanders postures up.
Rod Sanders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanders advances position into side control!
Soprano prevents Sanders from moving into mount.
Sloppy strikes there by Sanders.

Sanders looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Sanders thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soprano taking a bit of punishment here - Sanders scoring with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Sanders trying to control the action but Soprano is working from the bottom.

Sanders is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Soprano is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Soprano is looking for a sweep.
Sanders throws an elbow but Soprano slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sanders has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Soprano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sanders. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanders swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Soprano is now in Sanders's guard. A big mistake from Sanders there, giving up the dominant position!
Sanders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Soprano pushes Sanders off looking to stand but Sanders dives back in and keeps control.
Sanders moves into full mount! Soprano won't be happy about that!
Soprano wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanders looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Soprano can't escape the position.
Sanders punishing his opponent with strikes.

It looks like Tony Soprano has been cut.

Sanders is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Soprano can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Sanders goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Soprano turns into him and now he's in Sanders's guard.
Soprano won't allow Sanders to sweep him here.
Sanders seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soprano wants to stand and escape but instead Sanders has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Sanders forces his way into half guard.
Sanders thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Soprano's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanders is looking to advance position but Soprano won't allow it.
Soprano is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rod Sanders dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tony Soprano's cut.
That's time! Sanders's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Soprano takes a kick to the side of the head.
Soprano takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sanders doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Soprano makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rod Sanders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soprano walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sanders.
Sanders moves out of range of the strikes.
Soprano fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sanders fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Soprano avoids it really well and circles away.
Sanders dives in for a single leg takedown but Soprano sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rod Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soprano keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sanders's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Soprano connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sanders scrambles back to his feet.
Soprano throws a series of punches but Sanders avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Soprano. Sanders does a little dance to reset his feet.
Soprano connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sanders is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Soprano lands a body shot.
Sanders shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sanders has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Soprano. No joy for Sanders on that attempt.
Soprano fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice uppercut there from Soprano.
Soprano fails to land with a series of punches.
Sanders is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Soprano can do to turn this around?
Soprano throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanders tries to score a power double leg takedown but Soprano sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sanders somewhat.
Sanders displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Soprano throws out the jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice takedown defense from Soprano. No joy for Sanders on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soprano displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sanders.
Soprano lands a nice shot that snaps Sanders's head back.

Sanders gets a takedown into half guard.
Soprano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sanders is working away from the top position though.

Soprano has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Sanders is on him like a limpet, forcing Soprano back against the cage.
Soprano misses with the head strike.
Sanders is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sanders is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soprano tries a body shot but Sanders blocks it.
Soprano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sanders's elbow.
Sanders jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Soprano walks away with a smile on his face. Sanders gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sanders shoots for a double leg takedown but Soprano sprawls well. He's pushed Sanders's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Soprano misses with a straight right.
Tony Soprano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch lands to the side of Sanders 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Soprano throws a shot to the body.
Sanders slips a straight right by Soprano.
Tony Soprano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Soprano tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanders is able to avoid easily.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Soprano but Soprano pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Soprano throws out a counter right but Sanders avoids it with no problem.
Sanders moves away from the strike by Soprano.
Soprano throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanders scores with a kick to the body.
Soprano fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Soprano lands a head shot.
Rod Sanders is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soprano misses with a wild body shot.

Sanders fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Soprano sprawls well initially but Sanders persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Still in half guard, Sanders seems content to control.
Soprano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sanders is working away from the top position though.
Sanders trying to control the pace.
Sanders passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Soprano!
Soprano is desperately trying to improve his position but Sanders has a good base and remains in mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Soprano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sanders has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rod Sanders!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Rod Sanders made sure he mentioned V-Mask Clothing (10%), along with how happy he was to win his fight.