PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mats Söderlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Galloway Sackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Söderlund
vs
Sackett

185 cm
28
181 lbs
21 - 14 - 0

177 cm
28
180 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mats Söderlund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Galloway Sackett!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sackett moves away from the strike by Söderlund.
Söderlund tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sackett was well out of range. Poor timing from Söderlund.

Sackett rushes Söderlund and presses him up against the cage.
Sackett blocking some punches.
Sackett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Söderlund tries to break free but Sackett pushes him back against the cage.
Sackett misses with a hook from the clinch.

Söderlund pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sackett scores with a kick to the body.
Sackett chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sackett throws a front kick aimed at Söderlund's knee but Söderlund avoids it well.
Söderlund throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sackett appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sackett.
Galloway Sackett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett scores with a leg kick.
Söderlund throws an off balance right hand
and Sackett counters with a leg kick.
Söderlund takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sackett displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Söderlund throws out the jab.
Sackett swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sackett ducks under a wild hook from Söderlund.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett with a hook.
Söderlund pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Söderlund has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Söderlund misses with a looping left.
Söderlund sets himself, and Sackett steps forward looking for the clinch! Söderlund avoids it this time.
Söderlund throws a body punch but Sackett moves out of range.
Sackett with a hook.
Söderlund looks to score with a jab to the body but Sackett is just out of range.
Söderlund misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sackett.
Söderlund takes one on the button.

Sackett forces Söderlund back against the cage and clinches.
A left hand lands to the body for Sackett.
Söderlund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sackett lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Söderlund blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sackett lands a body shot in the clinch.
Söderlund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sackett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Söderlund blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Söderlund misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund tries to circle away but Sackett has him pinned against the cage.
Sackett misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sackett cracks Söderlund with a nice body shot.
Söderlund lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sackett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Söderlund's efforts to push away.
Söderlund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Söderlund has had enough of the clinch but Sackett keeps him there for the moment.
Söderlund lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Söderlund breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Söderlund avoids the body shot from Sackett.
Sackett shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sackett walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Söderlund looks to land a right hand but Sackett moved out of range.
Sackett misses with a kick to the body.
Söderlund was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Söderlund lands a jab to the nose.
Söderlund throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Sackett counters with a nice low kick that buckles Söderlund's knee momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sackett fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Söderlund, pushing him back against the cage.
Sackett lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sackett misses with some punches.
A short right from Söderlund on the inside.
Sackett scores with a nice hook to the head.
Söderlund misses with the head strike.
Sackett blocks a body shot from Söderlund.
Söderlund misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett prevents a body shot from Söderlund.
Sackett throws a punch but it's blocked by Söderlund.
Söderlund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Söderlund fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Söderlund wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sackett has him pressed against the cage.
Sackett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sackett lands an uppercut.
A short right from Söderlund on the inside.
Söderlund throws a punch but it's blocked by Sackett.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Söderlund.
Sackett prevents Söderlund from breaking the clinch.
Söderlund struggles to land a body shot inside as Sackett controls his hands.

Sackett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Sackett connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sackett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Söderlund.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sackett. That's going to slow Söderlund down.
Sackett tries to land a front kick but Söderlund steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Söderlund is looking to counter punch.
Söderlund gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sackett scoring well with a low kick there.
Söderlund waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sackett.
Sackett scores with a hook.
Sackett connects with a nice looking jab.
Söderlund connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Söderlund throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sackett follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Söderlund swings for the body but Sackett moves out of range.
Sackett is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Söderlund with a body shot.
Sackett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Söderlund manages to avoid it.
Söderlund misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sackett.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sackett misses with a jab, cross combination.
Söderlund avoids the head kick by Sackett.
Sackett throws a leg kick which misses Söderlund's front leg but catches the back leg as Söderlund tries to avoid it.
Sackett misses with a body shot.
Sackett throws a leg kick that misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sackett lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Söderlund has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Söderlund and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sackett blocks the body kick.
Sackett connects with a crisp jab.
Sackett stuns Söderlund with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sackett lands a nice looking body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Söderlund lands an overhand right.
Sackett throws a jab when Söderlund was well out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Söderlund 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Söderlund throws a right and a left that Sackett avoids nicely.
Despite the aggression on Sackett's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sackett throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Söderlund misses with a hook.
Sackett follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sackett.
The crowd cheers as Söderlund lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sackett doesn't seem phased though.
Sackett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sackett is looking to slow Söderlund down with leg kicks.
Söderlund looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sackett appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Söderlund tries to land a front kick but Sackett steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sackett looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sackett throws a leg kick but Söderlund moved away.
Sackett swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nice body kick from Sackett.
Sackett looks to land a combination but Söderlund avoids it well.
Söderlund on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sackett.
Söderlund throws a chopping leg kick but Sackett manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sackett lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sackett throws a head kick but Söderlund moves out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sackett - that will leave a mark!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sackett lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Söderlund has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Söderlund and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Söderlund takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sackett throws a wild body kick that Söderlund sees coming a mile off.
Sackett connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Söderlund misses with a hook
and Sackett makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sackett throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sackett buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sackett moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Söderlund swings widly with a right hand
and Sackett counters with a nice kick to the body.
Söderlund will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sackett lands a head kick. Söderlund smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Mats Söderlund has been cut.
Sackett throws a low kick but Söderlund avoids it.
Söderlund on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Galloway Sackett seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sackett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Söderlund circles away quickly and effectively.

Söderlund tries to keep at a distance but Sackett has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sackett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sackett struggles to land a body shot inside as Söderlund controls his hands.
Sackett prevents Söderlund from breaking the clinch.
Söderlund blocks an uppercut.
Sackett misses with a body punch.
Söderlund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Galloway Sackett seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Söderlund doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Söderlund manages to break the clinch.
Söderlund throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Söderlund checks a leg kick.
Söderlund moves out of range of the body kick.
Sackett moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sackett uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Söderlund.
Sackett steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund misses with a kick to the body.
Sackett throws a leg kick which misses Söderlund's front leg but catches the back leg as Söderlund tries to avoid it.
Söderlund throws a body punch but Sackett moves out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sackett, as that shot connected.
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!
Good leg kick by Sackett there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Sackett has Söderlund up against the cage in a clinch.
Sackett blocks a body shot from Söderlund.
Söderlund gets through Sackett's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Söderlund doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Söderlund tries to circle away but Sackett has him pinned against the cage.
Sackett misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Söderlund lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A frustrated look appears on Söderlund's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Söderlund blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Galloway Sackett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mats Söderlund's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Söderlund takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sackett takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A swing and a miss from Söderlund.
Sackett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sackett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sackett.
Sackett blocks a jab.
Sackett will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The fighters circling - Söderlund throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick lands from Söderlund.
Sackett keeps Söderlund at a distance using the push kick.
Sackett moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sackett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sackett scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett tries to work over Söderlund's front leg with a kick but Söderlund checks it.
Sackett throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sackett tries to work over Söderlund's front leg with a kick but Söderlund checks it.
Sackett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sackett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Söderlund.
Sackett throws a push kick but Söderlund slaps the foot to one side.
Sackett ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sackett takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sloppy strikes from Sackett. Those never looked like landing.
Sackett throws a leg kick that is checked
and Söderlund counters with a nice uppercut.
Sackett moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sackett.
Sackett throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Söderlund blocks a head kick by Sackett.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sackett lands with a kick to the ribs.
Sackett tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Söderlund manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Söderlund looks to land a body kick but Sackett moved away.
Sackett wants to clinch up but Söderlund keeps it at a distance.
Sackett misses with a hook to the body
letting Söderlund counter with a right hand.
Söderlund looks to score with a jab to the body but Sackett is just out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sackett.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sackett takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Sackett clinches.
Sackett blocking some punches.

Sackett breaks from the clinch.
Sackett scores with a kick to the body.
Söderlund is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sackett misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett throws a head kick that misses.
Söderlund is looking to counter punch.
Sackett lands a jab to Söderlund's midsection.
Sackett throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sackett chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Söderlund blocks a head kick by Sackett.
Söderlund throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sackett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Söderlund.
Sackett tries to clinch but Söderlund moves out of range.
Mats Söderlund has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sackett buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sackett ducks under a wild hook from Söderlund.
Söderlund throws a push kick but Sackett slaps the foot to one side.
Sackett comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Söderlund misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Söderlund walks into a stiff left hand from Sackett.
Sackett connects with a leg kick. Söderlund looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nice body kick there by Sackett.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A chopping leg kick lands by Sackett.
Söderlund throws a lazy uppercut
and Sackett counters with an outside leg kick.
Söderlund on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Söderlund is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Söderlund's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Söderlund tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sackett was well out of range. Poor timing from Söderlund.
Sackett fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Söderlund has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Söderlund swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sackett counters with a stiff right hand.
Söderlund throws a head kick that misses.
Söderlund throws a wild body kick that Sackett sees coming a mile off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Galloway Sackett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sackett has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Galloway Sackett!