PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cael Sanderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rutger Svensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanderson comes to the cage accompanied by Not Affraid- Eminem. Rutger Svensson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sanderson
vs
Svensson

183 cm
26
191 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
30
195 lbs
10 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Pitt Nutrition 160Q@$149

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cael Sanderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rutger Svensson!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanderson slips a straight right by Svensson.
Svensson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Svensson missing with a left hand there. Sanderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sanderson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Svensson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Svensson misses with an uppercut. Sanderson saw that one coming.
Svensson thows a leg kick but Sanderson checks it

and Sanderson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Svensson won't be happy with that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanderson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Svensson is trying to improve his position.
The strikes coming from Sanderson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Svensson down.
Sanderson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sanderson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Svensson prevents Sanderson from moving into mount.
Sanderson throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Sanderson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sanderson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sanderson wants to control but Svensson is keeping him busy.
Sanderson lands some shots froms side control.
A lull in the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Svensson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Svensson being controlled for a moment.
Sanderson is working Svensson over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sanderson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Sanderson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Svensson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sanderson working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Sanderson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sanderson throws some wild stikes that Svensson manages to avoid easily.
Sanderson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sanderson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Sanderson unloads with some shots from mount but Svensson bucks and avoids them well.
Sanderson landing strikes from the mount.
Sanderson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Sanderson unloading with bombs!
Sanderson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanderson punching from mount but Svensson doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sanderson landing strikes, looking to finish!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sanderson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cael Sanderson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sanderson avoids the body shot from Svensson.
Sanderson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Svensson.
Sanderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sanderson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Svensson. Sanderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sanderson attempts a counter takedown but Svensson avoids it well and moves away.
A leg kick checked by Sanderson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson looks to land a left hand but Sanderson moved out of range nicely.
Sanderson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Svensson is breathing heavily.
Svensson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Svensson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson misses with a body shot

and Sanderson counters with a single leg into guard. Svensson didn't expect that.
Svensson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sanderson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Sanderson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sanderson throwing strikes from guard but Svensson blocks nicely.
Sanderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Svensson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanderson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Svensson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Svensson is retaining full guard.
Sanderson works over Svensson with some ground and pound from guard.
Sanderson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sanderson pushes down on Svensson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cael Sanderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanderson drops an elbow to the side of Svensson's head.
Sanderson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sanderson controlling the action here.
Sanderson not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson thows a huge punch but Svensson dodges it nicely.

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.
Sanderson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Svensson can do to turn this around?
Sanderson controlling the pace.
Ground and pound from Sanderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sanderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Svensson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sanderson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Sanderson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sanderson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sanderson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sanderson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Svensson is defending against the submission attempts here by Sanderson.
Sanderson winds up and cracks Svensson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cael Sanderson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Svensson misses with a body shot.
Sanderson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Svensson sprawls and moves away.
Svensson misses the shot to the body.
Sanderson feinted with a counter takedown.
Sanderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sanderson feinted with a counter takedown.
Svensson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Svensson.
Sanderson tries to counter with a takedown but Svensson is quick to defend against it.
Svensson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sanderson checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Svensson.
Cael Sanderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanderson avoids the body shot from Svensson.
Svensson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanderson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Svensson misses with a hook to the body

and Sanderson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sanderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanderson postures up in Svensson's guard and throws a big left but Svensson blocks it.
Sanderson lands a couple of elbows.
Svensson keeping moving, preventing Sanderson from controlling successfully.
Sanderson pushes down on Svensson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Svensson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sanderson scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Sanderson wants to work for an arm triangle but Svensson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sanderson slows the pace down in half guard.
Sanderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanderson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Svensson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sanderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Svensson's head.
Sanderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson is keen to just control but Svensson is a slippery customer.
Sanderson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sanderson throwing shots but Svensson is blocking nicely.
Svensson is refusing to be controlled, as Sanderson sits in half guard.
Sanderson lands with a punch from half guard.
Sanderson working over Svensson with some ground and pound. Svensson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sanderson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Sanderson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanderson is working for a kimura but Svensson is defending it quite comfortably.
Nice strikes from Sanderson there.
Sanderson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Sanderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Svensson keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sanderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cael Sanderson clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Svensson swings for the body but Sanderson moves out of range.
Svensson thumps Sanderson with a low kick.
Svensson scores with a nice body kick.
Svensson misses with a hook.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanderson manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson throws a hook but Sanderson avoids it easily.
Sanderson tries to counter with a takedown but Svensson is quick to defend against it.
Svensson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Sanderson avoids the body shot from Svensson.
Sanderson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Svensson sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sanderson.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Sanderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Svensson.
Sanderson tries to counter with a takedown but Svensson is quick to defend against it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Svensson. Sanderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
A low kick from Svensson is predictable there

so Sanderson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sanderson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sanderson works over Svensson with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sanderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanderson trying to control but Svensson is working from the bottom.
Sanderson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sanderson scoring with some ground and pound.
Svensson keeping full guard, as Sanderson tries to pass.
Sanderson sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Sanderson.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sanderson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Svensson's head.
Sanderson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Svensson keeping full guard, as Sanderson tries to pass.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A telegraphed right hand from Svensson misses the target.
Sanderson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Svensson throws out a loose jab but Sanderson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rutger Svensson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Svensson misses with a shot to the body

and Sanderson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sanderson controlling from the top position.
Sanderson throwing strikes from guard but Svensson blocks nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sanderson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Svensson's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cael Sanderson had his way with Rutger Svensson in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Svensson just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanderson tries to counter with a takedown but Svensson is quick to defend against it.
Sanderson avoids the body shot from Svensson.
Svensson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Svensson swinging wildly here.
Sanderson attempts a counter takedown but Svensson avoids it well and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Svensson throws a hook but Sanderson avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson tries to move into range but Svensson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Svensson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sanderson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sanderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Svensson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sanderson rather than just go for the knockout.
Svensson lands with a shot to the body.
Svensson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sanderson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sanderson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson misses with a straight right.
Sanderson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Svensson sprawls and moves away.
Svensson throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sanderson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sanderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Svensson's head.
Sanderson slips a nice elbow through Svensson's hands, connecting with Svensson's forehead.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sanderson is looking for a kimura here.
Sanderson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rutger Svensson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson is controlling the pace.

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.
Sanderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sanderson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Svensson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sanderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Svensson's head.
Ground and pound from Sanderson.
Cael Sanderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sanderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Svensson's head.
Sanderson not doing much here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Sanderson is trying to work for a kimura but Svensson is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sanderson is figuring out what he wants to do next.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rutger Svensson.
I think Sanderson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cael Sanderson!
Cael Sanderson retains his middleweight title!
Our winner, Cael Sanderson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.