PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fanjunkare Nycklar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sanders
vs
Nycklar

189 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fanjunkare Nycklar!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanders tries for a takedown but Nycklar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nycklar tries to clinch but Sanders moves out of range.
Sanders fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Nycklar as Sanders shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nycklar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nycklar tries for a takedown but Sanders circles away easily

and Sanders moves into the clinch.
Nycklar is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sanders is keeping busy.
Sanders has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nycklar avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Good body shot from Nycklar.
Sanders dodges an elbow strike from Nycklar.
Nycklar scores with a shoulder strike.
Nycklar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sanders backwards.
Nycklar looking for a takedown.
Nycklar wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanders has him pressed against the cage.
Nycklar is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sanders gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Sanders manages to break the clinch.
Nycklar's corner calls for a 1-2. Nycklar obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sanders is breathing heavily.
Sanders steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nycklar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nycklar throws a poor cross that misses
and Sanders counters with a series of strikes. Nycklar will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nycklar tries to clinch up.
Nycklar tries to clinch
and Sanders counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Nycklar is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nycklar shoots in but no luck this time.
Fanjunkare Nycklar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nycklar counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nycklar trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nycklar tries to stand but Sanders is controlling from the bottom.
Nycklar sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nycklar stands and throws Sanders's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Nycklar looks up at the clock and then as Sanders takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Nycklar smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Nycklar decides to stand up, so the ref orders Sanders to his feet.
Sanders blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders scores with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sanders has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sanders is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nycklar gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nycklar is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sanders drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nycklar makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sanders wants to get back to striking at distance but Nycklar won't allow it.
Nycklar tries to break the clinch but Sanders is controlling the position.

Nycklar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sanders fails with the takedown.
Nycklar misses with a body kick.
Sanders misses with an uppercut.
Nycklar throws a lazy body kick
and Sanders counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Nycklar is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nycklar stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanders. Sanders gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanders keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders looks for a takedown but Nycklar sprawls well.
Nycklar tries to clinch but Sanders moves out of range.
Nycklar darts in trying to clinch

and Sanders counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nycklar is trying to stand.
Nycklar is controlling Sanders's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Nycklar wants to control but Sanders is keeping busy.
Nycklar is positioning himself well to prevent Sanders advancing to mount.
Nycklar is trying to stand back up but Sanders is controlling him
Nycklar is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throwing shots but Nycklar is blocking nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sanders looks to land a right hand but Nycklar moved out of range.
Nycklar throws a shot from downtown. Sanders moves away and avoids it.
Nycklar fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nycklar darts in trying to clinch

and Sanders counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nycklar is looking to stand up but Sanders isn't so interested in that idea.

Sanders stands up and waves to Nycklar to follow him.

Sanders shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nycklar keeping moving, preventing Sanders from controlling successfully.

Sanders gets to his feet - Nycklar follows without any prompting.

Sanders scores with a takedown into Nycklar's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chris Sanders will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sanders avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice cross by Nycklar.
Sanders misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sanders looks to land a combination but Nycklar avoids it well.
Nycklar throws a leg kick

and Sanders counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nycklar is not content to let Sanders control the position.

Sanders stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Sanders scores with a takedown into Nycklar's guard.
Sanders stopping the sweep attempt from Nycklar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nycklar scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nycklar tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Sanders counters with a shoot takedown. Nycklar fights it but they end up in guard.
Sanders wants to control from the top but Nycklar keeps moving.
Nycklar wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Sanders manages to pass to side control.
Nycklar is trying to stand up here but Sanders is controlling him well.

Sanders escapes and gets back to his feet.
Nycklar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nycklar rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sanders moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sanders circles away from the clinch attempt

and Sanders counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nycklar!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanders looking to control but Nycklar is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nycklar really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nycklar can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Nycklar looks a forlorn figure.
Nycklar is looking to get to half guard.
Sanders trying to control but Nycklar is having none of it.
Sanders punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sanders tries to control but Nycklar wriggling away.

Nycklar bucks up and throws Sanders to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Sanders closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Chris Sanders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanders working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanders decides to stand back up. Sanders steps back and let's Nycklar get back to his feet.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nycklar as he jumps to the side.
Nycklar gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sanders counters with a shoot takedown. Nycklar fights it but they end up in guard.

Sanders gets to his feet. Nycklar looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Nycklar forces Sanders back against the cage and clinches.

Sanders successfully pulls guard.
Sanders trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Sanders throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Nycklar postures up.
Nycklar wants to control from the top but Sanders keeps moving.
Nycklar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanders swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nycklar postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sanders wants to sweep here but Nycklar controlling him for the moment.
Sanders working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nycklar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nycklar falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sanders counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nycklar!
Nycklar really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sanders. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nycklar is trying to escape the mount.
Nycklar bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Nycklar is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nycklar preventing the sweep.

Sanders has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nycklar off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Sanders changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nycklar looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nycklar is trying to improve his position.
Sanders working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Sanders dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sanders throws a leg kick which misses Nycklar's front leg but catches the back leg as Nycklar tries to avoid it.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nycklar but Nycklar pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sanders swats away the attempt to clinch by Nycklar.
Nycklar misses with a takedown
and Sanders counters with a left and a right that stings Nycklar.
Sanders throws a nice looking combination but Nycklar bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A cross from Nycklar lands.
Nycklar throws a leg kick

and Sanders counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nycklar wants to stand up but Sanders is controlling him.
Sanders is looking to work some ground and pound but Nycklar has wrist control.
Nycklar seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Nycklar wriggles free and stands up.

Nycklar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
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!

Nycklar decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sanders, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nycklar as he avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nycklar.
Nycklar lands a nice forearm strike.

Nycklar stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Sanders looks to land a combination but Nycklar avoids it well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sanders.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders cracks Nycklar with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sanders shoots and misses
and Nycklar finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Nycklar throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sanders counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nycklar won't be happy with that.
Sanders working the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nycklar wants to control but Sanders postures up.

Sanders decides to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nycklar stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanders. Sanders gets slowly back to his feet.
Nycklar lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nycklar.

Nycklar has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nycklar throws a wild body kick that Sanders sees coming a mile off.
Fanjunkare Nycklar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sanders throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nycklar tests Sanders's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Chris Sanders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanders swats away the attempt to clinch by Nycklar.
Nycklar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sanders slips a straight right by Nycklar.
Sanders fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nycklar is looking to clinch but Sanders is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nycklar gets caught flat footed, as Sanders shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Sanders passes into half guard.

Sanders escapes and gets back to his feet.
Sanders connects with a nice looking jab.
Sanders checks a low kick from Nycklar.

Nycklar shoots in and bounces Sanders off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nycklar is stalling in the full guard.
Sanders 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.
Sanders trying to control the position.
Nycklar wants to control from the top but Sanders keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nycklar decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sanders, up you get!
Nycklar misses with a two punch combination.
Nycklar is looking to clinch but Sanders is avoiding it.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nycklar as he avoids it easily.
Nycklar stalks Sanders and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sanders's face. Sanders staggers backwards, shaken.
Sanders shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nycklar tries to keep at a distance but Sanders has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nycklar misses with a knee to the head.

Sanders breaks from the clinch.
Sanders shoots and misses

and Nycklar moves into the clinch.
Sanders goes for a takedown attempt but Nycklar pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nycklar keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanders works Nycklar's body with a nice hook.
Fanjunkare Nycklar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanders chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nycklar can pounce on him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fanjunkare Nycklar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sanders 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Chris Sanders!