PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chip Saunders (ranked 6787 p4p, 6160 weight class) and Chad Lincoln (ranked 54 p4p, 162 weight class). 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.

Saunders
vs
Lincoln

186 cm
24
230
1 - 2 - 0

198 cm
24
266
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chip Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chad Lincoln !
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lincoln shoots in and gets a takedown into Saunders's guard.
Saunders looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lincoln wants to control from the top but Saunders keeps moving.

Saunders has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lincoln can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lincoln 's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lincoln works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Lincoln throwing shots but Saunders is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Saunders might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Saunders is trying to stand up here but Lincoln is controlling him well.
Lincoln looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Saunders with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Saunders tries to roll over but Lincoln keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saunders is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lincoln pulls his head out easily.
Saunders wants to get back to his feet.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lincoln in particular looking to stall.
Lincoln is thwarting Saunders's attempts to control the position.
Lincoln tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Lincoln gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Lincoln gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Lincoln jumps into guard, dragging Saunders to the mat.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lincoln holds on and takes a little breather.
Saunders trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Lincoln manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Lincoln is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Saunders has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Lincoln is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Saunders gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Saunders postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lincoln is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Saunders, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Lincoln from controlling successfully.

Saunders wriggles free and stands up.
Saunders throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Chad Lincoln has been cut.

Saunders gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lincoln to score an easy takedown into full guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lincoln shoots in and gets a takedown into Saunders's guard.

Saunders wriggles free and stands up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saunders lands a high kick!

Lincoln shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lincoln is trying to control. Saunders wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Saunders trying to control from the bottom.
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 Chip Saunders will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chad Lincoln 's cut.
That's time! Saunders's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saunders closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lincoln wants to get back to striking at distance but Saunders won't allow it.

Lincoln wants the takedown. Saunders is fighting it off but Lincoln persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Saunders's guard against the cage.

Saunders is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Lincoln presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Lincoln creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A nice left hand lands by Saunders.

Saunders pulls guard successfully.
Lincoln stays in close to Saunders's body and controls the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saunders trying to keep a closed guard but Lincoln is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders wants to get back to his feet but Lincoln is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lincoln postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Saunders fails with a takedown attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lincoln .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders is looking for a sweep.
Chip Saunders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saunders manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Saunders scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Lincoln manages to mount him!
Saunders is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lincoln content just to control the position here.
Saunders regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln wants to take a breather but Saunders is having none of it.
Saunders blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lincoln .
Lincoln moves into full mount! Saunders won't be happy about that!
Saunders tries to hold on but Lincoln postures up.
Lincoln landing shots from mount.
Lincoln dominating with strikes here.
Lincoln lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Saunders?
Saunders working to try and regain half guard.
Saunders throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Saunders bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Lincoln is looking to sweep but instead, Saunders has passed into half guard.
Lincoln wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saunders seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lincoln does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Saunders prevents Lincoln from improving his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chad Lincoln will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Chad Lincoln 's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lincoln gets a double leg takedown into Saunders's guard.

Saunders manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Saunders avoiding damage.
Lincoln tries to break the clinch but Saunders is controlling the position.
Saunders jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lincoln walks away with a smile on his face. Saunders gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Saunders looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Lincoln scores with a takedown into Saunders's guard.
Lincoln wants to control from the top but Saunders keeps moving.
Saunders 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 one minute gone in the round.

Saunders is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saunders not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lincoln throwing strikes from guard but Saunders blocks nicely.
Lincoln postures up.
Lincoln sitting in guard here, content to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Lincoln shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln trying to control but Saunders is working from the bottom.
Saunders is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saunders being controlled here, momentarily.

Lincoln got a little sloppy there for a moment and Saunders has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lincoln has managed to get both his arms back between Saunders's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders looking to control.
Lincoln wants to control from the top but Saunders keeps moving.
Lincoln stays in close to Saunders's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Saunders closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saunders lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lincoln pulls Saunders in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Lincoln feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lincoln preventing the sweep.
Saunders lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Lincoln is adopting a defensive guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lincoln wants to get back to his feet but Saunders is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

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 Chip Saunders.
I think Saunders 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Chip Saunders!
Chip Saunders very nearly forgot to thank Voodoo Nutrition amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.