PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Devon Sage (ranked 606 p4p, 1340 weight class) and Rickson Caceres (ranked 57 p4p, 126 weight class). Devon Sage has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sage
vs
Caceres

170 cm
27
157
13 - 1 - 0

180 cm
27
157
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

Shadow Realm Apparel
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devon Sage!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rickson Caceres!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Igor Prikhodko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sage lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Caceres darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sage is pressing down on Caceres's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sage working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Caceres doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Caceres manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sage lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Caceres looking for subs off his back but Sage has passed one foot through into half guard.

Caceres looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caceres has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sage is working away from the top position though.

Caceres with the active half guard here but Sage passes nicely into side control.
Caceres wants to control but Sage postures up.
Caceres regains half guard.
Caceres trying to control from the bottom.
Caceres wants to get back to full guard.

Sage moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Caceres.
Sage trying to control the position but Caceres is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sage is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Caceres will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Sage's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Sage gets to mount! Caceres was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Caceres is looking to improve his position but Sage isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caceres is trying to reverse the position but instead Sage has taken his back - oops!
Sage controlling well, preventing Caceres from escaping the position.
Sage keeps control of the position easily here as Caceres tries to buck him off.
Caceres just trying to survive but Sage is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sage keeps control of the position as Caceres tries to break free.
Sage is trying to stick to Caceres's back but Caceres is turning into Sage. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Sage's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Caceres.
Sage looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Caceres pushes down on Sage's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Caceres wants to take a breather but Sage is having none of it.
Sage trying to control from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sage tries to get to full guard but Caceres has control of the leg.
Caceres working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Sage's thigh. Sage counters though and makes it back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Sage dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Caceres closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sage is trying to control Caceres's posture but Caceres avoids it.
Sage looks to move to half guard but instead Caceres has passed into mount! Damn!
Sage is desperately trying to improve his position but Caceres has a good base and remains in mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Caceres content just to control the position here.
Caceres seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Sage is holding on tight.
Sage is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caceres prevents Sage from getting the reversal.
Caceres controlling his opponent.
Caceres wants to control the pace but Sage is squirming around nicely.
Caceres controlling from the full mount.
Sage regains half guard.
Caceres not doing much here.

Caceres is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sage is just riding it out for now. Caceres eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sage is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Caceres content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sage is looking to improve his position.
Caceres content to control rather than advance.
Rickson Caceres has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sage wants to control but Caceres is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caceres is keen to just control but Sage is a slippery customer.
Sage is looking to control Caceres's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sage avoid being mounted?
Caceres has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Shinobi Martial Arts & Ninjutsu . Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Devon Sage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sage scores with a jab to the jaw.

Caceres scores with a takedown into Sage's guard.

Caceres avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sage wants to control but Caceres passes easily into half guard.
Caceres performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sage tries to get to full guard but Caceres has control of the leg.
Sage has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Caceres is working away from the top position though.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Caceres in particular looking to stall.
Sage moves into full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Caceres wants to pass the guard but Sage is keeping the position.
Caceres being controlled here momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Caceres showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Caceres manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sage on his heels. He'll look to pass Sage's guard now, I'm sure.
Sage tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sage being controlled here, momentarily.
Sage is pulling down on Caceres's head. It's preventing any offense from Caceres, at least for the moment.
Caceres trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sage is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Caceres looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caceres's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Sage has his hands on Caceres's head, controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sage looks to land a left hand but Caceres moved out of range nicely.

Caceres shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sage manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Caceres not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sage is looking to sweep but instead, Caceres has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Caceres seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sage does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Caceres looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
More stalling from Caceres.
Sage moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sage tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sage escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Caceres gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sage is trying to keep Caceres in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caceres wants to pass the guard but Sage is keeping the position.
Sage keeping moving, preventing Caceres from controlling successfully.
Sage can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Caceres controls the pace.
Caceres trying to control the position from guard on top but Sage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sage closes the distance and clinches.

Sage jumps into guard, dragging Caceres to the mat.

Sage is looking for a triangle but Caceres pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Caceres passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Sage is trying to get back to half guard.
Caceres is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Sage will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Sage is trying to improve his position.
Sage prevents Caceres from moving into mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Caceres is trying to get an arm triangle but Sage is defending well.
Sage is looking to reverse the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Caceres really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Caceres looking to score a takedown here. Sage is defending well but Caceres drives through and ends up in Sage's guard.

Sage looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sage is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Sage throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Caceres passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sage is looking to improve his position.
Caceres moves nicely into side control.

Caceres wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sage, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sage tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Caceres wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sage keeps working.
Caceres is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Caceres has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Sage is squirming around, avoiding Caceres's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Caceres looking to control and managing it successfully.
Caceres is looking to work his way around to Sage's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Caceres trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sage is wriggling around trying to escape.
Caceres looking to control but Sage is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Caceres tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sage regains half guard.
Sage trying to control from the bottom.

Sage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Caceres is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sage is trying to control but can't.
Caceres perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sage controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Caceres thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sage's head.
Sage is looking for a sweep. Caceres is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Caceres moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Sage.
Sage tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Caceres wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Caceres is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Sage's shoulder. That is not cool.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You can see the frustration on Sage's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Caceres dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sage gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Caceres to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Caceres looking to pass the guard.
Sage managing to control the position.

Sage has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Caceres can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caceres passes Sage's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Caceres passes to side control.
Sage looking for a sweep but Caceres has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Sage is looking to improve his position but Caceres isn't that keen on the idea.
Caceres tries to control but Sage wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sage is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Caceres takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sage tries to hold on but Caceres pushes him away.
Caceres looking to control and managing it successfully.
Caceres avoids the attempt from Sage to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sage keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sage is working hard here to advance position.
Caceres trying to control but Sage is having none of it.
Sage keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sage is trying to escape the mount but Caceres keeps good control and instead manages to take Sage's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Caceres really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Sage.
Sage can't escape the position.
Sage is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Caceres.

Caceres looking to break Sage's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sage remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Caceres will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Caceres has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Caceres is persistently looking for the submission but Sage is defending it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Caceres tries to get the hooks in deep but Sage pushed the leg off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rickson Caceres comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Caceres has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 46:49
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 46:49
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 46:49

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