PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Galloway Sackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alastair Stirling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stirling has chosen Endgestalt - Sturmkrieger as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sackett
vs
Stirling

177 cm
28
180 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

187 cm
24
175 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Galloway Sackett!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alastair Stirling!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sackett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stirling.
Stirling takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Stirling needs to keep his hands up - Sackett had a free shot at his head there.
Stirling has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sackett.
Stirling takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sackett looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sackett lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sackett circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sackett counters with a three punch combo that has Stirling backing up. Stirling nods at Sackett to acknowledge the strikes.
Stirling throws a jab when Sackett was well out of range.
Sackett tried to counter with a leg kick but Stirling avoided it.
Stirling has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sackett.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sackett.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stirling throws a big shot that misses.
Stirling throws a lazy uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sackett lands a nice looking body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stirling keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stirling displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sackett throws out the jab.
Stirling throws the left hand but Sackett avoids the punch easily.
Stirling takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

It looks like Alastair Stirling has been cut.
Sackett scores with a kick to the midsection.
Sackett throws a sloppy head kick

and Stirling counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stirling looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sackett is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stirling scores with a couple of nice shots.
Stirling is trying to control. Sackett wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sackett manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stirling wants to control from the top but Sackett keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sackett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stirling.
Sackett is pulling down on Stirling's head. It's preventing any offense from Stirling, at least for the moment.
Sackett looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sackett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stirling.
Stirling throws an elbow that misses. Sackett uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stirling's guard. Nice move by Sackett!

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sackett decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Stirling looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sackett is fending him off so far but Stirling persists. Nope, Sackett circles away and we're back to standing.
Stirling swings for the body but Sackett moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sackett.
Sackett throws a wild body kick that Stirling sees coming a mile off.
Stirling throws a right hand that misses
and Sackett counters with a solid body kick.
Sackett goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Galloway Sackett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stirling looks to score with a jab to the body but Sackett is just out of range.
Stirling has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sackett finds it's way round the side to connect with Stirling's head.
Good leg kick by Sackett there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sackett connects with an inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Stirling misses its intended target.
Stirling is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sackett.
Stirling avoids the head kick by Sackett.
Nice shot by Sackett.
Stirling shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sackett sprawls well. Sackett wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stirling gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stirling.
Sackett misses with a few strikes there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sackett throws a head kick that Stirling semi-blocks.
Sackett takes a swing at Stirling's ribcage but misses.
Sackett fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sackett throws a head kick but Stirling moves out of range.
Stirling throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sackett sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sackett definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Stirling moves out of range of the body kick.
Stirling misses with a right hand
and Sackett counters with a good low kick that Stirling was not able to check.
Stirling on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sackett. Sackett obviously looking to wear him down.
Sackett ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sackett.
Stirling thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sackett fires out a quick counter leg kick but Stirling just manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Galloway Sackett dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alastair Stirling's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stirling is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sackett sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stirling uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sackett.
Sackett is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stirling can do to turn this around?
Stirling takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Galloway Sackett is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sackett. Stirling does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sackett throws a head kick that misses.
Stirling ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sackett moves away.
Stirling throws out a loose jab but Sackett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stirling misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sackett.
Stirling tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sackett is looking to wear down Stirling with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Stirling throws a poor cross that misses
and Sackett counters with a good low kick that Stirling was not able to check.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett lands with a nice body kick.
No joy there for Sackett, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sackett scores with a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Sackett there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stirling feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sacketts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sackett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sackett throws a leg kick which misses Stirling's front leg but catches the back leg as Stirling tries to avoid it.
Sackett lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stirling darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sackett lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Stirling's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sackett throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Stirling counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sackett won't be happy with that.
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!
Sackett is looking for a sweep.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Stirling working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Stirling wants to control but Sackett is keeping him busy.
Sackett being controlled for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stirling misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sackett wants to control but Stirling postures up.
The strikes coming from Stirling are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sackett takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Stirling cracks Sackett with a big right hand but Sackett just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Sackett tries to bench press Stirling off him but Stirling keeps the position.
Stirling with the ground and pound but Sackett regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Stirling looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sackett with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stirling is pressing down on Sackett's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sackett is holding on for now.
Stirling has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sackett wants to control but Stirling is keeping busy.
Sackett is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stirling thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sackett's head.
Sackett wants to improve his position but Stirling is controlling well.
Stirling sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sackett defending well though.

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.
Sackett avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stirling.
Alastair Stirling has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sackett regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sackett is pulling down on Stirling's head. It's preventing any offense from Stirling, at least for the moment.
Stirling stopping the sweep attempt from Sackett.
Stirling throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sackett is on top in guard.

Sackett has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sackett wants to get up but he can't break Stirling's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sackett stopping the sweep attempt from Stirling.
Stirling is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Galloway Sackett dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alastair Stirling's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sackett swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sackett slips a jab from Stirling.
Stirling sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sackett lands a slapping body shot.
Nice body punch from Sackett.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sackett.
Stirling walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sackett lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stirling walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sackett.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Sackett finds it's way through Stirling's defenses.
Sackett swats away the attempt to clinch by Stirling.
Sackett half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sackett listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Stirling finds it's way round the side to connect with Sackett's head.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sackett.
Sackett throws a nice inside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Sackett.
Sackett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sackett takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sackett, right into the meat.
Sackett swings for the body but Stirling moves out of range.
Stirling feints the counter takedown.
Sackett buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Stirling wants to clinch up but Sackett keeps it at a distance.
Sackett misses with a body kick.
Stirling keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sackett lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stirling thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sackett feinted there with a counter leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stirling swings widly with a right hand
and Sackett counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sackett staying out of range there.
Stirling misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sackett.
Sackett takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sackett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stirling.
Stirling blocks a head kick by Sackett.
Stirling tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sackett was well out of range. Poor timing from Stirling.
Sackett lands a nice looking body shot.
Sackett misses with a head kick.
Sackett uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stirling.
Sackett walks into a stiff left hand from Stirling.
You can see that Stirling has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Sackett scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stirling.
Sackett connects with a leg kick. Stirling looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sackett scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Stirling blocks a low kick nicely.
Stirling throws an off balance right hand
and Sackett counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sackett fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stirling.
Stirling on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Stirling misses the target.
Sackett fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sackett is looking to chop away at Stirling's legs.
Stirling misses with an uppercut. Sackett saw that one coming.
Sackett connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stirling's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stirling checks a leg kick.
A lazy body kick from Sackett

and Stirling counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stirling trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sackett managing to control the position.
Stirling throws a big right hand that misses.
Stirling in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sackett controls Stirling momentarily but Stirling frees himself.
Sackett managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Galloway Sackett clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Alastair Stirling's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sackett looks for the body kick but Stirling saw that one coming.
Sackett ducks under a wild hook from Stirling.
Sackett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sackett is looking to slow Stirling down with leg kicks.
Sackett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sackett thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stirling if he has to take too many more of those.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stirling. Sackett does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sackett was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sackett feints and then cracks Stirling's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stirling down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sackett.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Stirling counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sackett has his hands clasped together around Stirling's back. He's all about the action.
Sackett trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett wants to improve his position but Stirling is controlling well.
Stirling seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Stirling slows the pace down in half guard.
Stirling with the ground and pound but Sackett uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Sackett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stirling is one step ahead there.
Stirling trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two 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.
Sackett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stirling is one step ahead there.
Stirling postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stirling's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sackett is trying to keep Stirling in close.
Stirling preventing the sweep.
Sackett trying to control the position here.
Sackett wants to hit a switch here but Stirling passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sackett there!
Sackett tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett is squirming around, avoiding Stirling's attempts to control the action.
Sackett really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sackett tries to lock up and control but Stirling gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Stirling.
Stirling has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Sackett's face.
Stirling trying to control but Sackett is having none of it.
Sackett is bucking up trying to escape but Stirling cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Sackett is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stirling lands a nice shot to the head.
Oh Sackett is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stirling lands a couple of good shots and Sackett has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Sackett is in bad spot here.
Stirling lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Stirling.
Stirling trying to control.
Sackett wants to control his opponent's hands but Stirling gets his hands free.
Stirling controlling the position well here. Sackett rolled but Stirling kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
You can see the frustration on Sackett's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Sackett seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sackett really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Stirling's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alastair Stirling dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Alastair Stirling's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sackett moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sackett misses with a low kick.
Stirling feints the counter takedown.
Sackett fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A head kick from Sackett lands but Stirling takes it in his stride.
Sackett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stirling.
Sackett plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Stirling takes a swing at Sackett's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stirling manages to avoid it.
Good shot there by Stirling.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sackett.
Sackett pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett looks to land a right hand but Stirling moved out of range.
A head kick misses from Sackett.
Sackett throws a sloppy head kick and Stirling moves out of range easily.
Stirling wants to counter with a clinch but Sackett pushes him away.
Stirling tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sackett swivels and escapes.
Sackett swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sackett swinging wildly here.
Stirling throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab from Stirling.
Stirling has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Sackett.
Stirling tries to move into range but Sackett moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sackett swats away the attempt to clinch by Stirling.
Sackett throws a body kick that misses.
Stirling wants to counter the offense by Sackett and move into the clinch position.
Sackett throws a solid leg kick but Stirling takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sackett.
Alastair Stirling has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Sackett finds it's way through Stirling's defenses.
Sackett staying out of range there.
Sackett is looking for a counter combo.
Stirling throws a right hand that misses
and Sackett counters with a three punch combo that has Stirling backing up. Stirling nods at Sackett to acknowledge the strikes.

Stirling is rocked!
Stirling throws a looping overhand right but Sackett ducks down to avoid it.
Stirling is still on wobbly legs! Can Sackett finish him?
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!
Stirling misses with a lunging right hand
and Sackett counters with a body kick.
Stirling is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Good leg kick by Sackett there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sackett throws an overhand right that drops Stirling like a sack of potatoes! Sackett dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Galloway Sackett!
Galloway Sackett is the new welterweight champion!