PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilem Tell (ranked 4067 p4p, 5783 weight class) and Soons Sam (ranked 549 p4p, 662 weight class). Soons Sam has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tell
vs
Sam

190 cm
27
212
3 - 5 - 0

180 cm
30
220
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Wilem Tell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Soons Sam!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tell scores with a takedown into Sam's guard.
Sam is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tell throws an elbow that misses. Sam uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tell's guard. Nice move by Sam!

Tell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sam doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sam manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sam stands and throws Tell's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tell is looking to regain half guard here but Sam keeps moving and retains side control.
Tell is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sam decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tell to his feet.
Sam fails to land the takedown.
Tell shoots in but Sam avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tell shoots in looking for a takedown. Sam tries to sprawl out of it but Tell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sam manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've been informed that Sam has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Tell shoots in for a takedown but Sam shows good takedown defense.
Sam is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilem Tell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sam sprawls well. Sam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tell gets slowly back to his feet.

Sam rushes Tell and presses him up against the cage.

Sam decides to pull guard.
Tell throws a big elbow that misses.
Tell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tell is looking to work some ground and pound but Sam has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tell cracks Sam with a solid left hand.

Sam is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tell is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tell throwing strikes but missing.
Sam trying to control the position.
Tell throwing strikes from guard but Sam blocks nicely.
Tell lands a couple of elbows.
Tell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tell scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Tell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sam wants to stand but Tell is controlling the position.
Tell throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sam working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tell.
Tell makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tell with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tell throws a big right hand that misses.
Tell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sam throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tell throws an elbow that misses. Sam uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tell's guard. Nice move by Sam!

Sam wanted to stand there but Tell had control of the position.

Tell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tell wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tell looking for subs off his back but Sam has passed one foot through into half guard.
Sam trying to control the action but Tell is working from the bottom.
Tell moves into full guard.

Tell has his foot on Sam's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sam works his way back into a safe position though.

Tell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sam can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sam passes Tell's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tell looking for submissions off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Wilem Tell will probably get the nod.
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.

Sam is looking to clinch but Tell is avoiding it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tell is defended easily by Sam.
Some wild striking there from Sam.

Tell shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tell working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tell with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tell chips away with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tell throws a big right hand that misses.
Tell landing with the ground and pound.
Wilem Tell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sam is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sam is trying to control. Tell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tell regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sam trying to control the position from guard on top but Tell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sam doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sam manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sam trying to control the position from guard on top but Tell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sam passes into half guard.

Tell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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.

Tell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sam lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sam takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sam takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Tell actively working from the bottom here.

Tell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Tell actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sam is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sam wants to control but Tell is keeping him busy.

Sam decides to stand and escape the position.
Sam shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tell as he jumps to the side.
Tell shoots in looking for a takedown but Sam manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Sam drops Tell with a beautiful combination! Tell stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Sam is looking for the KO!

Tell is rocked!
Sam throws a head kick but Tell moves out of range.
Oh Tell is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tell shoots for a takedown but Sam saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sam unleashes a big counter combination but Tell bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilem Tell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sam or perhaps it was just good defense by Tell, which made it look bad.

Sam has Tell up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sam unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Sam has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tell after a bit of a struggle.

Sam manages to break the clinch.
Tell goes for a double leg but Sam avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sam continues to drive forward.
Tell changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sam fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sam misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tell seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sam sprawls well. Sam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tell gets slowly back to his feet.

Sam fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tell sprawls well initially but Sam persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sam is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sam is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sam wants to stand but Tell has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Tell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tell is looking for a sweep. Sam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Soons Sam showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Tell.
Tell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sam sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tell somewhat.
Sam is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Sam throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tell.

Sam moves into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sam stops a takedown attempt from Tell.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilem Tell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sam creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tell changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sam fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sam defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tell.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sam is defended easily by Tell.
Tell appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Tell dives in and scores a takedown into Sam's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sam looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tell is one step ahead there.
Tell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tell with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Sam is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tell is aware though and is defending well.
Sam working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tell.
Tell postures up.
Tell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tell scoring with some ground and pound.
Tell postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tell is looking to work some ground and pound but Sam has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sam trying to control the position.
Tell landing some decent shots from guard.
Tell keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sam's head.
Tell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sam wants to sweep here but Tell controlling him for the moment.

Sam is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tell working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tell throws a big right hand that misses.
Tell throws a big elbow that misses.
Sam has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sam is trying to control the position but Tell postures up.
Tell throws a big right hand that misses.
Sam wants to sweep but no luck.
Tell postures up in Sam's guard and throws a big left but Sam blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sam controls Tell momentarily but Tell frees himself.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sam avoids it really well and circles away.
Sam throws a counter combo.

Sam gets caught napping as Tell dives in and scores a takedown. Sam manages to retain guard.
Tell is in close to Sam's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sam tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tell makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sam trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sam working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tell is in close to Sam's body, working some short punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wilem Tell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tell 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!