PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jon Sterling (ranked 3694 p4p, 3927 weight class) and mr Lankey (ranked 197 p4p, 211 weight class). Sterling comes to the cage accompanied by ILovE. This should be a great matchup!

Sterling
vs
Lankey

180 cm
22
140
1 - 1 - 0

161 cm
26
135
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jon Sterling !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, mr Lankey!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lankey with a poor takedown
and Sterling counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lankey thinking.
Sterling lands a jab to the nose.
Lankey has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Lankey fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jab, jab by Sterling - just one landing.
Sterling swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sterling swings away with a body shot that misses

and Lankey counters with a shoot takedown. Sterling fights it but they end up in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lankey being controlled here momentarily.
Lankey working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lankey postures up and lands a big shot to Sterling 's brow.
We've been hearing good reports from Sterling 's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Sterling is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lankey trying to control the position from guard on top but Sterling is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankey engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Lankey trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lankey wants to control from the top but Sterling keeps moving.
Sterling is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lankey wants to pass the guard but Sterling is keeping the position.

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.
Lankey keeps trying to improve his position.
Sterling has control of Lankey's left arm, preventing Lankey from doing any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Sterling trying to keep a closed guard but Lankey is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lankey moves out of range as Sterling strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Sterling misses the target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lankey.
Lankey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jon Sterling has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of mr Lankey.
Lankey shoots for a double leg takedown but Sterling sprawls well. He's pushed Lankey's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sterling is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lankey fails with the takedown
and Sterling counters with a left to the body.
Lankey gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sterling counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lankey moves out of range of the strikes.
Lankey doesn't manage to clinch there - Sterling circles away.
Sterling was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lankey moves in looking to clinch but Sterling pushes him off.
Sterling swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lankey uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sterling .
Sterling misses with a wild body shot.
Lankey throws a head kick that misses
and Sterling connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lankey avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
mr Lankey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick by Lankey misses
and Lankey takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankey fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sterling went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Lankey uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sterling .
Lankey looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Lankey throws a right and a left that both miss.

Lankey moves into range and clinches up with Sterling .
Lankey tries for a takedown but Sterling manages to get underhooks.

Lankey pulls guard successfully.
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!
Sterling slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Lankey lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sterling has Lankey pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sterling escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lankey gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Sterling dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lankey rushes Sterling and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sterling takes an elbow to the temple.
Sterling is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lankey has Sterling pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sterling manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sterling looking for a takedown.
Sterling is pressed up against the cage. Lankey has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sterling down to the mat. Sterling avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Lankey clinches up with Sterling and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sterling is trying to pull guard but Lankey has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Sterling . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lankey misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sterling .
Lankey trying to land knees to the body.
Lankey is pressed up against the cage. Sterling has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lankey down to the mat. Lankey avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Lankey clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lankey pulls guard effortlessly.
Lankey tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sterling with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sterling wants to control from the top but Lankey keeps moving.

Lankey working for a triangle but Sterling defends it easily.
Sterling tries to free his leg and advance position but Lankey is retaining full guard.
Sterling scoring with some ground and pound.
Sterling distracts Lankey with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lankey is looking for a triangle but Sterling pushes his legs off easily.
Sterling distracts Lankey with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sterling controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Lankey is looking for a triangle but Sterling pushes his legs off easily.
Lankey is trying to keep Sterling in close.

Lankey is looking for a triangle but Sterling pushes his legs off easily.
Sterling controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sterling trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sterling is working hard here to advance position.
Lankey controls Sterling momentarily but Sterling frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Sterling drops back looking for a leg! Lankey is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lankey manages to kick Sterling off! Sterling jumps back into Lankey's guard.
Sterling stands and throws Lankey's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sterling wants to control for a moment but Lankey uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Sterling will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lankey gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sterling controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Lankey keeping moving, preventing Sterling from controlling successfully.

Lankey looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sterling passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Sterling is looking to take a break and control but Lankey is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

mr Lankey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lankey tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sterling defends well and Lankey ends up having to push Sterling into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lankey moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Lankey closes the distance and pushes Sterling back into the cage.
Lankey is working for takedown but Sterling is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lankey tries to land knees in the clinch but Sterling avoids the damage to the body.
Lankey holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Lankey tries to land a knee to the head but Sterling blocks with his arms.
Sterling dodges an elbow strike from Lankey.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sterling has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lankey is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lankey tries for a takedown but Sterling manages to get underhooks.
Jon Sterling has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of mr Lankey.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lankey.
Sterling has Lankey pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lankey manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lankey has Sterling pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sterling manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankey is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sterling tries a knee to the head but Lankey blocks it.
Lankey is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lankey takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lankey looking to slow down the pace here.
Sterling is trying to pull guard but Lankey turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lankey throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sterling tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lankey smiles and moves away.
Sterling circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sterling counters with a left to the body.
Lankey takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lankey fails with the takedown
and Sterling counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lankey shoots in looking for a takedown but Sterling manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lankey's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sterling misses with a wild body shot.

Sterling has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sterling doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sterling has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lankey after a bit of a struggle.
Lankey gets underhooks to prevent Sterling 's takedown attempt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Lankey.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lankey throws an elbow but misses.
Lankey has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sterling after a bit of a struggle.
Lankey goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sterling prevents it.
Sterling tries to score a body lock takedown but Lankey shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sterling is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sterling tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lankey throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sterling blocks it with crossed arms.
Lankey putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sterling in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Sterling 's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Sterling turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lankey can't do much from the bottom here.

Sterling wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lankey, who protects the arm well.
Sterling lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sterling thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Sterling tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lankey is trying to control Sterling 's posture but Sterling avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sterling lands some shots froms side control.

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 Jon Sterling .
I think Sterling 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Sterling !
In his post fight interview, Jon Sterling started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.