PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ariel Hodge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ariel Hodge looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Hodge
vs
Saunders

200 cm
22
215 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ariel Hodge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saunders shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hodge defends it nicely.
Hodge tries to clinch but Saunders is having none of it.
Hodge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but Hodge shows good takedown defense.
Hodge keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ariel Hodge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Saunders.

Saunders changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hodge looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hodge bucks up and tries to throw Saunders off but instead Saunders has got his back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hodge is trying to get back to his feet but Saunders has full control of the position and if anything, Hodge has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Hodge trying to control the hands but Saunders won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodge is trying to get back to his feet but Saunders has full control of the position and if anything, Hodge has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Hodge trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Hodge is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Hodge covering up well and avoiding damage.
Saunders biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hodge is trying to stand back up.
Hodge is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Saunders.
Hodge is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Saunders trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Hodge doesn't escape.
Saunders throwing sloppy strikes.
Saunders struggling to land strikes to the head as Hodge covers up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders controlling well, preventing Hodge from escaping the position.
Saunders missing with punches from the back.

Hodge is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Saunders gets his way!
I would not like to be Hodge right now.

Saunders patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Hodge trying to get back to his feet but Saunders is in full control for now.
Saunders biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hodge trying to get back to his feet but Saunders is in full control for now.

Saunders is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Saunders looking for the RNC.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hodge is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Saunders throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hodge closes this distance looking for a takedown but Saunders circles away.
Saunders checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hodge throws a body kick that misses.
Saunders steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hodge.

Saunders darts in and clinches Hodge up against the cage.
Saunders has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Saunders looking for a takedown.
Saunders goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hodge prevents it.
Hodge has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Saunders avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hodge prevents the takedown attempt.
Ariel Hodge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Saunders.
Saunders fails to pull guard.
Saunders can't break the clinch.
Hodge changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Saunders fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saunders moves into range and clinches up with Hodge.

Saunders pulls guard successfully.
Saunders tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hodge in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Saunders has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saunders is adopting a defensive guard.
Hodge controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hodge has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Saunders is proving hard to escape from.

Saunders is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Hodge presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodge wants a takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saunders gets underhooks to prevent Hodge's takedown attempt.
Saunders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hodge is trying to push Saunders away but Saunders has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Saunders manages to pull guard.
Hodge wants to stand but Saunders is controlling his posture from full guard.

Saunders looking for a guillotine here but Hodge defends easily.
Saunders is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Hodge stands up from Saunders's guard - Hodge perhaps looking for a knockout.
Saunders dives in and grabs Hodge's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hodge pushes down on Saunders's head and hops out.
Hodge shoots for a takedown but Saunders saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hodge avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hodge pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hodge instigates a clinch.
Hodge has Saunders pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Saunders manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A left hand lands to the body for Saunders.
Saunders is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hodge drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saunders drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saunders will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hodge up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Saunders showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hodge's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hodge goes for a double leg but Saunders avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Saunders continues to drive forward.

Saunders drives through and clinches with Hodge against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saunders - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Saunders drags the fight down to the ground.

Hodge drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hodge jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hodge is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Saunders is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Saunders has escaped and now he's on top!

Saunders content to stall in guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saunders gets to his feet - Hodge follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodge avoids the head kick by Saunders.
Saunders avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saunders unleashes a big counter combination but Hodge bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hodge keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hodge is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Saunders.
Hodge closes the distance and clinches up with Saunders, looking for a takedown. Hodge pushes Saunders against the cage but Saunders circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saunders fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hodge avoids it really well and circles away.
Saunders tries for a takedown but Hodge sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ariel Hodge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Saunders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodge fails with the takedown
and Hodge takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Saunders gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hodge tries to break the clinch but Saunders is controlling the position.

Saunders pulls guard successfully.
Hodge missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saunders pulls Hodge in to control the position.
Hodge looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hodge has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Saunders looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hodge is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders has his hands on Hodge's head, controlling the position.
Saunders tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hodge is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Saunders is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Saunders has escaped and now he's on top!

Saunders throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hodge works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Saunders 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.
Saunders postures up in Hodge's guard and throws a big left but Hodge blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saunders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hodge will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hodge being controlled here, momentarily.
Saunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saunders stays in close to Hodge's body and controls the position.

Saunders stands and steps away. Hodge gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Saunders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saunders has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Saunders!