PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rutger Svensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cael Sanderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanderson has chosen Not Affraid- Eminem as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Svensson
vs
Sanderson

180 cm
29
195 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

183 cm
25
191 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rutger Svensson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cael Sanderson!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Joseph Jones and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanderson moves out of range of the leg kick from Svensson.
Svensson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanderson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Svensson just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanderson slips under a jab.
And Sanderson tries to counter it with a takedown but Svensson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Svensson misses the shot to the body.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Svensson connects with a right hand. Sanderson shakes it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Svensson misses its intended target.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Svensson with a jab.
Sanderson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Svensson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson digs a good body shot into Sanderson's ribs.
A good leg kick by Svensson.
Svensson swings for the body but Sanderson moves out of range.
Sanderson feints the counter takedown.
Svensson loads up on a big right hand but Sanderson slips the punch.
Svensson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Svensson.
Rutger Svensson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Svensson throws a right and a left that Sanderson avoids nicely.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rutger Svensson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Svensson just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanderson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Svensson defends it well.
Svensson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Svensson looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanderson is just out of range.
Sanderson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Svensson finds it's way round the side to connect with Sanderson's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanderson manages to avoid it.
Svensson misses with a body kick.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Sanderson blocks a low kick nicely.
Svensson thows a leg kick but Sanderson checks it

and Sanderson counters with a shoot takedown. Svensson fights it but they end up in guard.
Sanderson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sanderson looking to pass the guard.
Svensson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sanderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Svensson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Svensson is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sanderson wants to control from the top but Svensson keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Svensson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sanderson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanderson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Svensson.
Sanderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Svensson.
Sanderson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Svensson defends it well.
Svensson throws a jab but it's blocked by Sanderson.
A jab from Svensson does it's job there.
It looks like Svensson has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Svensson missing with a left hand there. Sanderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Svensson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Svensson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanderson manages to avoid it.
A cross from Svensson lands.
Svensson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Svensson throws a lazy body kick

and Sanderson counters with a takedown into side control.
Svensson prevents Sanderson from improving position.
Sanderson throwing strikes but Svensson manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sanderson is looking for a sweep.
Svensson trying to control the action but Sanderson is working from the bottom.
Sanderson is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Svensson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanderson moves away.
Sanderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Svensson misses the shot to the body.
Sanderson moves out of range of the strikes.
And Sanderson tries to counter it with a takedown but Svensson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Svensson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sanderson.
Svensson takes a swing at Sanderson's ribcage but misses.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rutger Svensson is winning the standup battle so far.
Sanderson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Svensson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sanderson has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Sanderson blocks a leg kick.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanderson manages to avoid it.
Svensson misses with a wild body shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Svensson, right into the meat.
Svensson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sanderson.
Svensson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Svensson.
Svensson connects with a right hand. Sanderson shakes it off.
Svensson looks to land a right hand but Sanderson moved out of range.
Svensson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Svensson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sanderson can do to turn this around?
Svensson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sanderson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Svensson wants to slow Sanderson down by chopping away at his legs.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanderson manages to avoid it.
Sanderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Svensson works the jab nicely.
Svensson throws a hook to the side of Sanderson's head but Sanderson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cael Sanderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Svensson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sanderson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Svensson throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Sanderson moves out of range as Svensson strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Svensson.
Svensson lands with a hook. Sanderson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Svensson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Svensson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sanderson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanderson avoids the body shot from Svensson.
Sanderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Svensson stuns Sanderson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Svensson misses with a hook. Sanderson ducked under it nicely.
Sanderson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Svensson defends it well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Svensson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanderson moves away.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Svensson tests Sanderson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A slow jab from Svensson misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Svensson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Svensson lands a glancing blow to the side of Sanderson's head.
Svensson is looking to score with low kicks.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Svensson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sanderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Svensson punishes Sanderson's body with a nice straight punch.
Svensson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sanderson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Svensson.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Svensson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson misses with a looping left.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Svensson scores with a nice head shot.
Svensson misses with an uppercut

and Sanderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson is taking a breather. Svensson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Svensson has hold of Sanderson's hands but Sanderson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sanderson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Sanderson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Svensson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

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.
Sanderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Svensson keeps working.

Sanderson is looking for a kimura but Svensson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sanderson to get the leverage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sanderson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Svensson.
Sanderson slips under a jab.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanderson manages to avoid it.
And Sanderson tries to counter it with a takedown but Svensson pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson throws a looping overhand right but Sanderson ducks down to avoid it.
Svensson throws a leg kick but Sanderson checks it.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Svensson connects with a body shot.
Svensson connects with an inside leg kick.
Svensson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanderson feints the counter takedown.
Good exchange - Svensson coming out on top.
Sanderson avoids the body shot from Svensson.
Svensson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Svensson throws an overhand right that lands on Sanderson's shoulder, as Sanderson tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson throws a predictable looking body shot

and Sanderson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Svensson's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanderson throwing strikes from guard but Svensson blocks nicely.
Sanderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sanderson trying to control but Svensson is working from the bottom.
Sanderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Svensson is keeping the position for now.

Sanderson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sanderson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Svensson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Svensson clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Svensson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanderson moves away.
Svensson misses with a wild body shot.
Sanderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Svensson tries a low kick but Sanderson avoids it.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Svensson. Sanderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sanderson avoids the head kick by Svensson.
Svensson wants to slow Sanderson down by chopping away at his legs.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Svensson throws a right hand that misses

and Sanderson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Svensson won't be happy with that.

Svensson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson misses with a body shot.
Sanderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Svensson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson connects with a body shot that sends Sanderson's belly button to the back.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Sanderson moves out of range of the strikes.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Svensson misses with a wild body shot.
And Sanderson tries to counter it with a takedown but Svensson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Svensson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sanderson checks it well.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Svensson looks to throw the jab but Sanderson is out of range.
Sanderson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Svensson defends it well.
Svensson wants to land a leg kick but Sanderson is out of range.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Svensson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanderson feints the counter takedown.
Svensson thows a leg kick but Sanderson checks it

and Sanderson counters with a takedown into side control.
Sanderson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Sanderson crashes against the mat.
Sanderson lands a nice forearm strike.
Sanderson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sanderson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sanderson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Sanderson is working Svensson over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sanderson just content to control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Sanderson misses with the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson just misses with a punch to the body.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanderson manages to avoid it.
Sanderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Svensson. Sanderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Svensson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And Sanderson tries to counter it with a takedown but Svensson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Svensson looks to throw the jab but Sanderson is out of range.
That kick from Svensson tenderised Sanderson's leg. Sanderson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Svensson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Svensson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sanderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Svensson throws a body punch but Sanderson moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Svensson.
Svensson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sanderson.
Svensson feints and then cracks Sanderson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sanderson down.
Svensson misses with a looping right.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Svensson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Svensson misses with a straight right.
Sanderson with the counter takedown but Svensson avoids it easily.
Sanderson checks a leg kick.
Sanderson feints the counter takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Svensson misses with a double jab

and Sanderson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Svensson!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Svensson had his way with Cael Sanderson in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Svensson is looking to slow Sanderson down with leg kicks.
Svensson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Svensson takes a swing at Sanderson's ribcage but misses.
Sanderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Svensson looks to throw the jab but Sanderson is out of range.
Sanderson feints the counter takedown.
Jab by Svensson.
Svensson throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Svensson throws a lazy uppercut

so Sanderson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanderson advances to half guard.
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.
Sanderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Svensson's head.
Cael Sanderson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sanderson is taking a breather. Svensson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sanderson is trying to control. Svensson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Svensson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanderson.
Sanderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Svensson's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Svensson won't allow Sanderson to pass to mount.
Sanderson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Sanderson maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Svensson could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Sanderson has cracked it and Svensson is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Sanderson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Cael Sanderson!
Cael Sanderson is the new middleweight champion!
An out of breath Cael Sanderson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.