PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Saunier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Hessburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saunier comes into the arena with Muse - Hysteria blaring out of the sound system. Matthieu Saunier is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Saunier
vs
Hessburg

184 cm
24
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
153 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (95% quick laundry)

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matthieu Saunier!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Markus Hessburg!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saunier dodges the punch combination from Hessburg.
Saunier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunier misses with a body shot.
Saunier swats away the attempt to clinch by Hessburg.
Nice uppercut there from Saunier.
Hessburg tries to score with a low kick but Saunier moves his leg out of the way.
Saunier just misses with a punch to the body.
Saunier misses with an uppercut.
Matthieu Saunier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saunier throws a jab when Hessburg was well out of range.

Hessburg moves into the clinch.

Saunier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saunier stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Saunier throws a hook but Hessburg avoids it easily.
Hessburg looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hessburg will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hessburg.
Saunier lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Saunier tries to land a leg kick but Hessburg saw it coming and moves away.
Hessburg bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hessburg takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hessburg has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hessburg shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saunier defends it nicely.
Saunier lands an overhand right.
Saunier misses with a looping right.
Saunier throws the left hand but Hessburg avoids the punch easily.
Saunier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunier cracks a nice hook into Hessburg's ribs.
Saunier looks to land a left hand but Hessburg moved out of range nicely.
Hessburg is looking to clinch.
Hessburg misses with a takedown attempt
and Saunier makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matthieu Saunier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Markus Hessburg.
Saunier loads up on a big right hand but Hessburg slips the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hessburg fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Saunier sprawls well initially but Hessburg persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Saunier looks like he's trying to stand up.
Saunier tries to get to full guard but Hessburg has control of the leg.
Hessburg content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunier wants to get back to his feet.
Saunier is looking for a sweep. Hessburg is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saunier punching from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Markus Hessburg wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hessburg moves out of range of the strikes.
Saunier changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saunier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hessburg manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hessburg takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Saunier throws a series of punches but Hessburg avoids them all with ease.
Hessburg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saunier.

Hessburg 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.
Saunier trying to keep a closed guard but Hessburg is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hessburg throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hessburg landing some decent shots from guard.
Saunier wants to sweep here but Hessburg controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Saunier dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hessburg thows a body shot but no joy.
Hessburg takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Left hook, right uppercut from Saunier.
Saunier really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saunier throws a jab but it's blocked by Hessburg.
Hessburg fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hessburg closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Saunier to the mat! Saunier manages to get full guard.
Saunier manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hessburg gets back to half guard.
Hessburg gets back to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saunier sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hessburg's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hessburg is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Saunier scores with a couple of nice shots.

Saunier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hessburg is just riding it out for now. Saunier eventually gives up the hold.
Hessburg slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hessburg can't keep his opponent in guard - Saunier advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Saunier wants to take a breather but Hessburg is having none of it.

Saunier is working for a kimura here but Hessburg manages to reverse the position and he's now in Saunier's guard.
Saunier seems keen to control Hessburg's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hessburg controlling from the top position.

Saunier escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hessburg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hessburg looking to sit in guard and control but Saunier gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunier throws a big right hand that misses.
Saunier lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hessburg trying to keep a closed guard but Saunier is proving a slippery customer.
Saunier with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hessburg really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saunier. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Saunier trying to control the position from guard on top but Hessburg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hessburg wants to stand but Saunier is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunier trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saunier throwing strikes but missing.
Saunier looking to sit in guard and control but Hessburg gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Saunier looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunier can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hessburg controls the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Saunier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hessburg moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Saunier dominated that second round.
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.

Hessburg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saunier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hessburg moves away.
Hessburg looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Saunier is fending him off so far but Hessburg persists. Nope, Saunier circles away and we're back to standing.
Hessburg misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hessburg is looking to clinch but Saunier is avoiding it.
Hessburg misses with a takedown attempt - Saunier sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saunier misses with a wild combination.
Saunier wants to slow Hessburg down by chopping away at his legs.
Saunier lands a really nice looking cross but Hessburg seems unphased.
Hessburg walks into a straight right hand from Saunier.
Nice body punch from Saunier.
Hessburg takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A chopping leg kick lands by Saunier.
Saunier misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hessburg's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Saunier connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hessburg scrambles back to his feet.
Saunier scores with a jab. Hessburg acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hessburg misses with a two punch combination.
Saunier looks to land a combination. Hessburg sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A punch combination from Saunier misses.
Matthieu Saunier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saunier looks to score with a jab to the body but Hessburg is just out of range.
Hessburg moves away from the strike by Saunier.
Hessburg takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Saunier scoring well with a low kick there.
Matthieu Saunier is winning the standup battle so far.
Saunier throws a looping overhand right but Hessburg ducks down to avoid it.
Saunier getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Saunier lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunier throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hessburg fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matthieu Saunier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Markus Hessburg.
Saunier misses with a looping right.
Hessburg is trying hard to land a takedown here. Saunier sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Saunier cracks a nice hook into Hessburg's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saunier moves into range and connects with a jab.
Saunier fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hessburg.
A slapping leg kick lands for Saunier.
Saunier thumps Hessburg with a low kick.
Nice shot by Saunier.
Saunier digs a good hook to Hessburg's body.
Saunier throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Saunier lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Saunier.
Saunier comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Saunier fails to land with a series of punches.
Saunier getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Saunier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunier throws a right and a left that Hessburg avoids nicely.
Saunier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunier misses with a hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saunier. Hessburg does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hessburg takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Saunier misses with a body shot.
Saunier cracks Hessburg with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hessburg shoots in but no luck this time.
Saunier misses with a wild combination.
Hessburg shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Saunier counters with an outside leg kick.
Hessburg takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Saunier lands with a shot to the body.
Saunier ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saunier scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Saunier lands with a hook. Hessburg tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Donk. Saunier catches Hessburg right on the button with a cross.
Saunier bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hessburg's head.
Saunier misses with a straight right.
Saunier with a nice cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Saunier clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Saunier scores with a nice strike.
Hessburg defending well as Saunier loads up on a big left hand.
Hessburg shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Saunier sprawls well. Saunier wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hessburg gets slowly back to his feet.
Hessburg shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saunier pinned against the cage. Saunier gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hessburg on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Saunier wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Matthieu Saunier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hessburg is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Saunier looks to land a combination. Hessburg sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Saunier is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Saunier keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Matthieu Saunier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Markus Hessburg.
Saunier jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Saunier. That snapped Hessburg's head back.

Hessburg is rocked!
Saunier throws a lazy right hand but Hessburg sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hessburg is still on wobbly legs! Can Saunier finish him?
Saunier lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hessburg at a distance.
Hessburg seems to have recovered his senses.
Hessburg takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Saunier ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saunier throws a quick inside leg kick.
Saunier lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hessburg's sensitive parts.
A chopping leg kick lands by Saunier.
Saunier cracks a nice hook into Hessburg's ribs.
Saunier tries a head kick but it misses.
Saunier lands with a nice body punch.
Saunier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunier connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters circling - Saunier throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saunier.
Saunier lands a lovely overhand right.
Saunier misses with a double jab.
Saunier scores with a decent looking hook.
Saunier lands a glancing blow to the side of Hessburg's head.
Saunier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hessburg moves away.
Hessburg stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saunier.
Hessburg shoots in looking for a takedown. Saunier tries to sprawl out of it but Hessburg keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Saunier manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saunier connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Saunier is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hessburg can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saunier.
A punch lands to the side of Hessburg 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hessburg takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A big left from Saunier misses.
Saunier stuffs the takedown attempt from Hessburg. Hessburg gets slowly back to his feet.
Saunier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saunier throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hessburg has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A shot to the liver by Saunier. Beautiful body shot.
Saunier moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Saunier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saunier misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunier scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hessburg doesn't seem bothered though.
Saunier misses with a looping right.
Saunier dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hessburg. That did some damage!
Hessburg dodges the punch combination from Saunier.
No luck for Hessburg with that takedown attempt.
Saunier jabs Hessburg right on the nose. Hessburg blinks but takes it well.
Saunier throws a hook but Hessburg avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good exchange - Saunier coming out on top.
No joy there for Saunier, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch combination from Hessburg misses.
Saunier scores with a nice strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Saunier had his way with Markus Hessburg in that round.
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. This is the final round!

Saunier lands a jab to the nose.
Saunier misses with a hook.
Saunier throws a wild body kick that Hessburg sees coming a mile off.
Saunier throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hessburg avoids the head kick by Saunier.
Hessburg tries a head kick but it misses.
Saunier connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hessburg momentarily.
Hessburg fails with a takedown attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Saunier.
Hessburg is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Saunier looks to land a combination but Hessburg avoids it well.
Hessburg's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Hessburg gets a double leg takedown into Saunier's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunier can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hessburg controls the pace.

Saunier has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hessburg can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hessburg has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Saunier to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Hessburg is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Saunier pulls down on the head and he's put Hessburg to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Matthieu Saunier!
Matthieu Saunier is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Matthieu Saunier thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.