PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luca Fietsora (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Sandford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fietsora kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is PRONG - Whose Fist Is This Anyway? . Sandford is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Two steps from hell-Heart of courage. James Sandford is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Fietsora
vs
Sandford

194 cm
20
239 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

194 cm
23
240 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luca Fietsora!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Sandford!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fietsora connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Sandford throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Fietsora tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sandford is in Fietsora's guard.

Sandford avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Sandford working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Sandford trying to control the position from guard on top but Fietsora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sandford tries to free his leg and advance position but Fietsora is retaining full guard.
Fietsora controls Sandford momentarily but Sandford frees himself.
Sandford postures up in Fietsora's guard and throws a big left but Fietsora blocks it.
Sandford wants to control from the top but Fietsora keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandford is pushing down on Fietsora's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fietsora is fighting to maintain full guard but Sandford has managed to sneak the leg through.
Fietsora trying to control from the bottom.
Sandford looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fietsora tries to get to full guard but Sandford has control of the leg.
Sandford works his foot free and advances to mount.
Fietsora is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Fietsora has given up his back. Will we see Sandford going for some submissions?

Fietsora preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Sandford.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora is taking damage to the body and 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!
Sandford punishes Fietsora with strikes from the back mount.
Fietsora trying to control but not successfully.
Fietsora is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sandford is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sandford has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sandford trying to control momentarily.
Fietsora covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Sandford throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Fietsora wants to control his opponent's hands but Sandford gets his hands free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandford tries to keep control of the position but Fietsora is staying busy.
Sandford is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Fietsora just looking to survive in the bad position.
Sandford is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fietsora trying to control the hands but Sandford won't let him.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Sandford lands a shot to the head.
Fietsora is trapped and Sandford is scoring with shots to the head and body.
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!
Fietsora trying to control the position but Sandford manages to sink in the hooks.
Sandford lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sandford tries to get the hooks in deep but Fietsora pushed the leg off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fietsora rolls, trying to escape but Sandford keeps control of the position.
Fietsora trying to control the position but Sandford manages to sink in the hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Sandford dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fietsora lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fietsora looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sandford throws the left hand but Fietsora avoids the punch easily.
Fietsora throws a series of punches but Sandford moves out of range.
Fietsora tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sandford manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Good leg kick by Fietsora there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fietsora on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Fietsora slips a jab and a cross from Sandford.
Sandford swinging wildly here.
Fietsora fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sandford has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sandford moves away from the strike by Fietsora.
Sandford misses with a straight right.
Fietsora throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James Sandford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fietsora comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sandford throws a looping overhand right but Fietsora ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Sandford blocks the low kick.
Fietsora gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fietsora thows a body shot but no joy.
Fietsora tries to score with a low kick but Sandford moves his leg out of the way.
Sandford scores with a jab to the head.
Fietsora avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sandford misses with an uppercut.
Sandford looks to land a combination but Fietsora avoids it well.
Sandford uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fietsora.

Sandford changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Fietsora looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Sandford swings around for an armbar but Fietsora sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sandford's guard.
Sandford controls Fietsora momentarily but Fietsora frees himself.
Fietsora trying to control the position from guard on top but Sandford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fietsora'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.
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!
Sandford wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Luca Fietsora.
Sandford swats away the attempt to clinch by Fietsora.
Sandford swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fietsora connects with a leg kick. Sandford looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fietsora fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Luca Fietsora is winning the standup battle so far.
Sandford swings for the body but Fietsora moves out of range.
Fietsora connects with a high kick.

It looks like James Sandford has been cut.
James Sandford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick from Fietsora lands but Sandford takes it in his stride.
Sandford shoots in but Fietsora avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A head kick misses from Fietsora.
Fietsora connects with a leg kick. Sandford looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fietsora throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sandford jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sandford lands a jab.
Fietsora scores with a nice body kick.
Sandford loads up on a big right hand but Fietsora slips the punch.
Fietsora tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sandford manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Fietsora lands a big head kick that sends Sandford tumbling to the mat! Fietsora takes a step backwards and waves Sandford back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Sandford is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sandford is still on wobbly legs! Can Fietsora finish him?
Fietsora tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sandford swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sandford seems to have recovered his senses.
Fietsora throws a low kick but Sandford avoids it.
Sandford ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fietsora moves away.
Fietsora is looking to wear down Sandford with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Fietsora is looking to slow Sandford down with leg kicks.
Sandford falls off balance throwing a combination
and Fietsora counters with a nice uppercut.
Sandford misses with a few strikes there.
Sandford blocks the body kick.
Fietsora closes the distance but Sandford moves to the side

and Sandford counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sandford trying to control from half guard but Fietsora is working away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fietsora is doing well to control the position and prevent Sandford from advancing to side control.
Fietsora has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sandford is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luca Fietsora dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Sandford's cut.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Fietsora gets caught napping as Sandford dives in and scores a takedown. Fietsora manages to retain guard.
Sandford chips away with some ground and pound.
Fietsora seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sandford trying to control the position from guard on top but Fietsora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fietsora pulls Sandford in close to prevent any damage.
Sandford pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fietsora is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fietsora had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sandford defends it easily.
Sandford looking to pass the guard.
Fietsora is trying to keep Sandford in close.
Sandford trying to control the position from guard on top but Fietsora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fietsora wants to control the position but Sandford says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sandford.
Sandford seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fietsora does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sandford controlling the pace.

Fietsora looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sandford seems to be working for a kimura but Fietsora defends the submission attempt.
Sandford passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Fietsora!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandford looking to land elbow strikes but Fietsora uses the position to regain half guard.
Sandford stalling.
Fietsora is trying to control but can't.
Sandford winds up and cracks Fietsora with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sandford content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Fietsora is looking to control Sandford's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fietsora avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandford is looking to stall here but Fietsora recovers full guard.
Sandford trying to control but Fietsora is working from the bottom.

Fietsora working for a triangle but Sandford defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fietsora keeping full guard, as Sandford tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Sandford comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sandford 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Sandford!
After the fight, James Sandford was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.