PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kasper Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Turner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Turner's choice of entrance music: Next Episode by Dr. Dre. Josh Turner has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Saunders
vs
Turner

173 cm
22
145 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

175 cm
29
147 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
Aspire Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kasper Saunders !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Turner!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Hugh Johnson and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Turner scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Turner looks to land a left hand but Saunders moved out of range nicely.
Saunders throws a series of punches but Turner moves out of range.
Saunders throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Turner misses with a lunging right hand
and Saunders makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Turner with a jab.
Saunders misses with an uppercut. Turner saw that one coming.
Saunders throws a leg kick but Turner sees it coming and moves out of range.
Jab from Saunders .
Saunders defending well as Turner loads up on a big left hand.
Turner misses with a leg kick.
A nice combination there by Saunders .
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunders doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Saunders blocks a jab.
Turner closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Turner scores with a jab. Saunders acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Saunders closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Saunders dips to his left and cracks Turner with an uppercut!
Saunders scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Turner misses its intended target.
Saunders throws a body shot but no joy.
Turner feints the counter takedown.
Saunders darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Turner avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saunders lands with a right hand.
Saunders connects with a body shot.
Saunders moves out of range of the strikes.
Turner throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saunders sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Turner throws a hook but Saunders blocks it.

Turner gets a double leg takedown into Saunders 's guard.
Saunders controls Turner momentarily but Turner frees himself.
Turner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saunders swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Saunders is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Turner is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saunders wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Turner is now in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Turner is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Turner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Saunders is trying to stand.
Saunders is concentrating on defense, preventing Turner from advancing position.
Turner is trying to control. Saunders wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turner is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Saunders !
Turner can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Saunders is looking to escape.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Turner moves to the back.
Saunders breaks Turner's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Turner has his foot on Saunders 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Saunders works his way back into a safe position though.
Saunders has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Saunders trying to control the position from guard on top but Turner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saunders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saunders is fighting to break Turner's control of his arms but Turner is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Turner is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders postures up in Turner's guard and throws a big left but Turner blocks it.
Saunders trying to control the position from guard on top but Turner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Turner looking for a guillotine here but Saunders defends easily.
Turner is trying to keep Saunders in close.
Saunders won't allow Turner to sweep him here.
Turner seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Saunders wants to control from the top but Turner keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasper Saunders dominated that 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.

Saunders jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Saunders pushes Turner up against the cage in a clinch.
Turner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
I was talking to Saunders 's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Saunders tries to throw a body punch but Turner avoids it by throwing Saunders back against the cage.
Turner is trying to maintain a safe position but Saunders gets an underhook and turns Turner into the cage.
Saunders misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Saunders fails to land.
Saunders tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Turner's elbow.
Saunders throws a punch but it's blocked by Turner.
Saunders tries to work over Turner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Turner stalling in the clinch but Saunders improves position.
Turner lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saunders gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Turner.
Saunders lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders gets underhooks to prevent Turner's takedown attempt.
Saunders has a couple of punches blocked by Turner.
Saunders avoiding damage as Turner throws knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Saunders as Turner tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Turner.
Saunders lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Turner slows down the pace here.
Saunders scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saunders struggles to land a body shot inside as Turner controls his hands.
Saunders is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Turner can do to turn this around?
Saunders working aggressively here.
Saunders working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saunders misses with the head strike.
Turner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.
Saunders misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saunders dodges an elbow strike from Turner.
Saunders tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Turner blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saunders lands a hook that snaps the head of Turner backwards.
Saunders lands with a left to the head.
Turner is trying to maintain a safe position but Saunders gets an underhook and turns Turner into the cage.
A knee to the head by Turner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turner tries to pull guard but Saunders forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kasper Saunders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Turner.
Saunders swings wildly with an uppercut but Turner uses good head movement to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Saunders .
Saunders scores with a shoulder strike.
Turner throws an elbow that misses.
Saunders tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saunders tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Turner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saunders throws a shot from downtown. Turner moves away and avoids it.
Turner looks to land a right hand but Saunders moved out of range.
Saunders keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kasper Saunders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saunders looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saunders changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Turner is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turner throws a jab but it's blocked by Saunders .
A big left from Saunders misses.
Turner throws a lazy uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Turner misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Turner.
Saunders connects with a body shot that sends Turner's belly button to the back.
Saunders finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Turner misses with an uppercut. Saunders saw that one coming.
Turner checks a leg kick.
Turner might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Saunders throws a nice looking combination but Turner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And Turner tries to counter it with a takedown but Saunders pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Turner loads up on a big right hand but Saunders slips the punch.
Saunders defending well as Turner loads up on a big left hand.
Saunders is looking to counter punch.
Kasper Saunders is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Turner looks to score with a jab to the body but Saunders is just out of range.
It looked like Saunders wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Turner checks a leg kick.
Turner misses with a body shot.
Saunders uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Turner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders needs to keep his hands up - Turner had a free shot at his head there.
Saunders is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Turner.
Turner misses with a hook. Saunders ducked under it nicely.
Saunders uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Turner.
Turner fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kasper Saunders is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saunders throws a series of punches but Turner moves out of range.
Saunders connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Turner misses with a looping right.
Saunders misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Turner.
Turner scores with a head kick.
Saunders displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Turner throws out the jab.
Saunders throws a leg kick but Turner moved away.
Good leg kick by Saunders there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses

and Turner counters with a takedown into side control.
Josh Turner has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee asks Turner politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Turner prefers to stall for the moment though.
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And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasper Saunders dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Turner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saunders .
Saunders uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Turner.
Turner throws a body punch but Saunders moves out of range.
Turner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saunders .
Turner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Saunders .
Saunders bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Turner works Saunders 's body with a nice hook.
Jab, jab by Saunders - just one landing.
Turner throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saunders sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saunders walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Saunders lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Turner misses the target.
Saunders ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Turner moves away.
Turner clobbers Saunders with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Saunders pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Turner bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Saunders 's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders throws a hook but Turner avoids it easily.
Saunders throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Turner attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Turner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Danga de danga de dang - Saunders scores with a four punch combination!
Saunders lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Turner backs up against the cage.
Saunders jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A jab from Turner does it's job there.

Turner drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Saunders is looking for a triangle but Turner pushes his legs off easily.

Saunders is looking for a triangle but Turner pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Turner from controlling successfully.
Saunders is trying to keep Turner in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saunders working for a triangle but Turner defends it easily.

Saunders has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Turner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Turner engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders avoids the body shot from Turner.
Turner cracks Saunders with a right hand to the side of the head.
Jab by Turner.
Saunders 's corner calls for a 1-2. Saunders obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Turner slips under a jab from Saunders .
Turner moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Saunders misses with a straight left.
A swing and a miss from Turner.
Kasper Saunders is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Turner throws a big shot that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Turner.
Saunders looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Saunders staying out of range there.
Turner misses with a hook. Saunders ducked under it nicely.
Saunders swings for the body but Turner moves out of range.
Turner drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Saunders defends it well.
A jab from Saunders misses.
A big left from Saunders misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turner missing with a left hand there. Saunders was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Turner lands a nice shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saunders leaves Turner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Turner swings widly with a right hand
and Saunders counters with a straight right hand.
Saunders fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Saunders misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saunders uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Turner.
Sloppy strikes from Turner. Those never looked like landing.
Some bone on bone action there as Turner checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The fighters circle momentarily. Saunders darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Turner slips a straight right by Saunders .
Saunders lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Saunders swings for the body but Turner moves out of range.
Josh Turner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saunders feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Turners jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Turner looks to land a right hand but Saunders moved out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kasper Saunders .
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Saunders , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27

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