PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brad Buckner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xander Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cage has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Buckner
vs
Cage

200 cm
19
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

191 cm
21
268 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Monster MMA

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brad Buckner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Xander Cage!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cage drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cage looks gassed!
Buckner is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cage is controlling him.
Buckner keeping moving, preventing Cage from controlling successfully.

Buckner kicks Cage off and gets to his feet.
Buckner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Buckner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cage should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Buckner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Xander Cage has been cut.
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Buckner lands an elbow inside that Cage shrugs off.
Buckner landing knees to the head.
Buckner connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cage's face.
Buckner with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Buckner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Buckner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cage's defenses.
Buckner lands an elbow that stopped Cage in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage wants a takedown.
Buckner lands a nice elbow.
Cage goes for a takedown attempt but Buckner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Brad Buckner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xander Cage.

Cage shoots in and bounces Buckner off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Cage controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Buckner doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Cage won't allow Buckner to get back to his feet.
Buckner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Buckner tries to get out of the position.
Buckner striking off his back but it's not causing Cage any problems.
Cage really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Buckner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cage trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buckner wants to stand and escape but Cage is having none of it.
Cage trying to control but Buckner is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckner trying to strike off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Buckner darts in and clinches Cage up against the cage.
Buckner gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cage.
Buckner is pressed up against the cage. Cage has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Buckner down to the mat. Buckner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cage looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Buckner is fending him off so far but Cage persists. Nope, Buckner circles away and we're back to standing.
Buckner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cage swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Buckner closes the distance and pushes Cage back into the cage.
Buckner stops a takedown attempt from Cage.
Cage tries to score a body lock takedown but Buckner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Buckner lands an elbow that stopped Cage in his tracks for a moment.
Buckner lands an elbow inside.
Cage is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Buckner connects with a knee to the head.
Buckner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Buckner with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Buckner landing knees to the head.
Buckner with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buckner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cage's defenses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Buckner lands a knee to the head.
Buckner gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cage.
Buckner lands an elbow inside that Cage shrugs off.
Buckner lands an elbow that stopped Cage in his tracks for a moment.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cage tries for a takedown. No joy.
Buckner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Buckner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cage goes for a takedown attempt but Buckner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Cage closes this distance looking for a takedown but Buckner circles away.

Buckner has closed the distance and engaged Cage in a clinch.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cage is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Buckner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Buckner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cage tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cage goes for a takedown in the clinch but Buckner prevents it.
Cage tries for a takedown. No joy.
Buckner lands a nice elbow.
Buckner lands a nice elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckner scores with a knee to the head.
Buckner with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Buckner lands a damaging elbow.
Buckner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Buckner stops a takedown attempt from Cage.
Cage drops down looking for an ankle pick but Buckner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Buckner fails with an attempt to clinch.

Cage shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cage was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Buckner trying desperately to get to his feet.
Cage blocks Buckner's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Buckner throwing hammer fists to the chest of Cage. What's that going to do exactly?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cage controlling from the full mount.
Buckner's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brad Buckner will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Xander Cage'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.

Cage throws the left hand but Buckner avoids the punch easily.

Buckner moves into the clinch successfully.
Buckner connects with a knee to the head.
Buckner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Buckner scores with a knee to the head.
Buckner with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Buckner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cage's defenses.
Buckner with a knee to the head.
Buckner connects with a knee to the head.
Cage drops down looking for an ankle pick but Buckner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Buckner is looking to clinch.
Cage shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Buckner as he avoids it easily.

Cage feints and as Buckner raises his hands in defense, Cage changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Buckner wants to stand up but Cage is controlling him.
Cage trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cage prevents Buckner from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cage is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckner tries to strike from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cage is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Buckner is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cage is controlling him.
Buckner has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cage trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cage must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Buckner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Buckner has his feet on Cage's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Buckner pushes Cage up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckner scores with a knee to the head.
Buckner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cage drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Brad Buckner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xander Cage.
Buckner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Buckner scores with a knee to the head.
Cage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buckner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buckner connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cage's face.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Buckner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A knee to the head by Buckner.
Buckner with a knee to the head.
Cage drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Buckner connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cage's face.
Buckner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Buckner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Buckner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cage is working for takedown but Buckner is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cage is trying to drag Buckner to the mat but Buckner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cage drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Buckner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Buckner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cage takes an elbow to the temple.
Buckner lands a knee to the head.
Buckner lands an elbow inside that Cage shrugs off.
A knee to the head by Buckner.
Buckner gets underhooks to prevent Cage's takedown attempt.
Buckner connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cage's face.
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cage tries to score a body lock takedown but Buckner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Buckner prevents the takedown attempt.
Buckner lands a damaging elbow.
Buckner lands an elbow just above Cage 's eye.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Buckner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cage is trying to drag Buckner to the mat but Buckner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Buckner lands a knee to the head.
Buckner connects with a knee to the head.

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.
Cage tries to score a body lock takedown but Buckner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cage can't get the takedown.
Cage goes for a takedown in the clinch but Buckner prevents it.
Buckner with a knee to the head.
Cage can't get the takedown.
Cage drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Buckner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Buckner connects with a knee to the head.
Buckner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Buckner connects with a knee to the head.
Buckner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cage changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Buckner fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cage looks to land a right hand but Buckner moved out of range.
Buckner stuffs the takedown attempt from Cage. Cage gets slowly back to his feet.
Buckner tries to clinch but Cage is having none of it.
Cage misses with a takedown attempt - Buckner sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Buckner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Buckner dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Xander Cage'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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Buckner landing knees to the head.
Cage is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Buckner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Buckner scores with a knee to the head.
Cage can't get the takedown.
Cage is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Buckner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Brad Buckner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xander Cage.
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cage is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Buckner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Buckner prevents the takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Buckner.
Cage is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Buckner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cage takes an elbow to the forehead.
A knee to the head by Buckner.
Buckner prevents the takedown attempt.
Cage wants a takedown.
Cage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buckner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Buckner.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Buckner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Brad Buckner has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Buckner lands a knee to the head.
Cage changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Buckner fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Buckner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckner stuffs the takedown attempt from Cage. Cage gets slowly back to his feet.
Cage shoots in and drives through. Buckner sprawls well.
A punch lands to the side of Buckner 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Buckner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Buckner is looking to clinch but Cage is avoiding it.
Buckner is looking to clinch but Cage is avoiding it.
Cage tries for a takedown but Buckner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cage changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Buckner tries to avoid it but Cage manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Buckner to the ground. Buckner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Brad Buckner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Buckner wants to clinch up but Cage keeps it at a distance.
Cage works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Buckner tries to clinch there but Cage circles away.
Buckner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Buckner doesn't manage to clinch there - Cage circles away.
Buckner ducks under a wild hook from Cage.
Cage avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Buckner tries to clinch but Cage is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cage shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Buckner but Buckner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Buckner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cage swats him away and circles back towards the center.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buckner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buckner is pressed up against the cage. Cage has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Buckner down to the mat. Buckner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cage tries for a takedown but Buckner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cage shoots for a takedown but Buckner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Buckner tries to close the distance and clinch but Cage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cage circles away from the clinch attempt.
Buckner tries to clinch there but Cage circles away.

Cage shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Buckner's guard.
Cage slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Buckner wants to stand and escape but Cage is having none of it.
Cage wants to control from the top but Buckner keeps moving.
Buckner trying to strike off his back.
Buckner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Buckner scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Cage shoots in and drives through. Buckner sprawls well.
Cage shoots in looking for a takedown. Buckner tries to sprawl out of it but Cage keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Buckner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Buckner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Buckner doesn't manage to clinch there - Cage circles away.
Cage circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Buckner. No joy for Cage on that attempt.
Cage throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Buckner's waist but Buckner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cage off to one side.
Buckner on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Cage changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Buckner looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Buckner is trying to buck Cage off.
Buckner tries to improve position but can't.
Cage prevents Buckner from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage controls the position.
Cage wants to control but Buckner is keeping him busy.

Buckner sneaks out the side door and pushes Cage away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Buckner tries to clinch but Cage is having none of it.
Buckner tries to clinch there but Cage circles away.

Buckner rushes Cage and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buckner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buckner lands an elbow inside that Cage shrugs off.
Buckner connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cage's face.
Cage is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Buckner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buckner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buckner connects with a knee to the head.
Buckner landing knees to the head.
Nice elbow from Buckner.
Cage drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Buckner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Buckner scores with a knee to the head.
Xander Cage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brad Buckner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Buckner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cage's defenses.
Buckner lands a damaging elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brad Buckner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Buckner, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brad Buckner!