PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Knuckles OToole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Sunderland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sunderland has chosen Placebo - Running up that hill as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

OToole
vs
Sunderland

185 cm
25
166 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
31
182 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Beaver Jooce!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Knuckles OToole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Sunderland!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sunderland looks to score with a jab to the body but OToole is just out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from OToole misses the target.
Sunderland tries to score a power double leg takedown but OToole sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sunderland somewhat.
OToole tries to counter by clinching up but Sunderland breaks away and moves out of range.
Sunderland looks for a takedown but OToole sprawls well.

Sunderland has managed to clinch.
OToole stops a takedown attempt from Sunderland.
Knuckles OToole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Sunderland.
Sunderland is looking for a takedown up against the cage. OToole gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sunderland is looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sunderland changes levels and goes for a takedown here. OToole fights it off and pushes away nicely.
James Sunderland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
OToole throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
OToole lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
OToole connects with the punch.

Sunderland closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sunderland has OToole pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. OToole manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
OToole wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sunderland has him pressed against the cage.
Sunderland keeps control of OToole as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
OToole prevents the takedown attempt.
Sunderland can't get the takedown.
OToole wants to break free but Sunderland has control.
Sunderland drops down looking for an ankle pick but OToole pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sunderland shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
OToole throws a body punch but Sunderland moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sunderland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sunderland shoots for a takedown but OToole saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
OToole takes a swing at Sunderland's ribcage but misses.
Knuckles OToole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sunderland closes the distance and pushes OToole back into the cage.
OToole is pressed up against the cage. Sunderland has hold of a leg and is looking to drag OToole down to the mat. OToole avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sunderland. OToole does a little dance to reset his feet.
OToole looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
OToole swings for the body but Sunderland moves out of range.

Sunderland gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
OToole is defending well against a takedown attempt.
OToole looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sunderland keeps the fight in the clinch, despite OToole's efforts to push away.
OToole is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Sunderland has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. OToole is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
OToole wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sunderland is trying to drag OToole to the mat but OToole just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
OToole wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Sunderland has picked OToole up - he's going for a ride! Sunderland dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OToole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sunderland throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sunderland missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sunderland missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sunderland throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sunderland missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sunderland throwing shots but OToole is blocking nicely.

Sunderland is working for a submission of some sort.
OToole blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sunderland.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sunderland thows a huge punch but OToole dodges it nicely.
OToole blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sunderland.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
OToole is breathing heavily.
OToole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sunderland throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sunderland thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sunderland is trying to control. OToole wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Sunderland is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sunderland wants to work for an arm triangle but OToole is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Sunderland will probably get the nod.
That's time! OToole's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sunderland pushes OToole up against the cage in a clinch.
Sunderland can't get the takedown.
Sunderland has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. OToole avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sunderland wants a takedown but no success here.
Knuckles OToole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Sunderland.
OToole prevents a takedown attempt there.

Sunderland jumps guard.

Sunderland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sunderland is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. OToole is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OToole wants to pass the guard but Sunderland is keeping the position.

Sunderland has his foot on OToole's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. OToole works his way back into a safe position though.
OToole wants to pass the guard but Sunderland is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sunderland throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! OToole escapes and throws Sunderland's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Sunderland manages to work his way to half guard, despite OToole's best efforts.

Sunderland is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but OToole pulls his head out easily.

Sunderland looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sunderland is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but OToole pulls his head out easily.
Sunderland gets full guard.

Sunderland throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
James Sunderland has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sunderland is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Sunderland has his foot on OToole's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. OToole works his way back into a safe position though.

OToole avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Sunderland working for a triangle but OToole defends it easily.
OToole wants to stand but Sunderland is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sunderland has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OToole is looking to work some ground and pound but Sunderland has wrist control.
OToole looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Sunderland working for a triangle but OToole defends it easily.

Sunderland is looking for a triangle but OToole pushes his legs off easily.
Sunderland keeping moving, preventing OToole from controlling successfully.

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.

Sunderland working for a triangle but OToole defends it easily.
OToole pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sunderland is keeping the position for now.

Sunderland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sunderland had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. OToole defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sunderland keeping moving, preventing OToole from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Sunderland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

OToole on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Sunderland closes the distance and pushes OToole back into the cage.
Sunderland has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by OToole after a bit of a struggle.
OToole gets underhooks to prevent Sunderland's takedown attempt.
OToole tries to break free but Sunderland pushes him back against the cage.
Sunderland is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Knuckles OToole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Sunderland.
Sunderland has OToole pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. OToole manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
OToole prevents the takedown attempt.
OToole has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sunderland tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sunderland has OToole pressed against the cage, preventing OToole from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
OToole is looking to break free of the clinch but Sunderland has double underhooks.
OToole is trying to break the clinch but Sunderland has him pressed against the cage.
Sunderland goes for a takedown attempt but OToole pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OToole stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and OToole wants it to stay on the feet.
Sunderland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sunderland fails to land the takedown.
Knuckles OToole is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sunderland misses with a body shot.
A counter left hand to the body from OToole misses its target.
OToole fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sunderland is out of range.
Sunderland fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sunderland is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by OToole.
Sunderland tries to clinch but OToole is having none of it.
OToole is looking to wear down Sunderland with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sunderland fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sunderland tries to close the distance and clinch up but OToole swats him away and circles back towards the center.
OToole circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from OToole misses.
OToole ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sunderland moves away.
OToole waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sunderland.

Sunderland closes the distance and clinches.

Sunderland successfully pulls guard.

Sunderland escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. OToole gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

OToole avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland keeping moving, preventing OToole from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sunderland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
OToole trying to control but Sunderland is working from the bottom.

Sunderland is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and OToole defends well.

That's four 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.

Sunderland is looking for a triangle but OToole pushes his legs off easily.
OToole wanted to stand there but Sunderland had control of the position.
Knuckles OToole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sunderland is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and OToole defends well.

Sunderland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sunderland working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. OToole doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. OToole manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
James Sunderland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
OToole knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sunderland on the ground.
Sunderland working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from OToole.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Sunderland.
I've got Sunderland winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Sunderland!
A relieved looking James Sunderland thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Knuckles OToole had this to say: 'Damn. I didn't see that coming.'.