PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Sontag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Friday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Friday comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Whip It by Devo kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Sontag
vs
Friday

190 cm
22
222 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

Striker Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Justin Sontag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rick Friday!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sontag closes this distance looking for a takedown but Friday circles away.

Friday shoots in and bounces Sontag off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sontag doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Friday stands up from Sontag's guard - Friday perhaps looking for a knockout.
Sontag fails with a takedown attempt.
Sontag with a lazy takedown attempt
and Friday counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Sontag. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Friday moves in looking to clinch but Sontag pushes him off.

Friday gets the takedown into side control.
Sontag tries to bench press Friday off him but Friday keeps the position.
Friday takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Sontag to pass into mount.
Friday controlling from the full mount.
Sontag throwing hammer fists to the chest of Friday. What's that going to do exactly?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sontag swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Sontag tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Friday can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sontag is looking to escape.
Friday controlling his opponent.
Sontag keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Friday sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Friday prevents Sontag from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Friday stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Friday. No joy for Sontag on that attempt.
Sontag is breathing heavily.

Sontag shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Friday trying to control the position.
Sontag sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Friday's guard.
Sontag is pressing down on Friday's thigh, looking to free his foot. Friday is holding on for now.
Sontag is trying to control the action in half guard but Friday is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sontag not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sontag lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sontag thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sontag thows a huge punch but Friday dodges it nicely.
Sontag is pressing down on Friday's thigh, looking to free his foot. Friday is holding on for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Friday takes the fight into the clinch.

Sontag lands a takedown into guard.
Sontag working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sontag connects with a couple of short punches.
Sontag postures up in Friday's guard and throws a big left but Friday blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sontag accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sontag pushes down on Friday's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sontag takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Friday is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sontag scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sontag landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sontag winds up and cracks Friday with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sontag tries to pass to full mount but Friday defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sontag 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.
Sontag missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sontag is trying to control the action in half guard but Friday is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Friday is trying to maintain the position but Sontag is very close to passing his half guard.
Sontag thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Friday is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sontag not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Sontag looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Friday closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Friday lands in his opponent's guard.
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!
Friday trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sontag's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sontag tries for a takedown but Friday sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Friday scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sontag tries to bench press Friday off him but Friday keeps the position.
Sontag is working hard here to advance position.

Friday stands up.

Friday instigates a clinch.
Nice elbow from Friday.
Sontag drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Friday gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sontag wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Sontag. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sontag looking for a takedown.
Friday lands an elbow inside that Sontag shrugs off.
Friday wants a takedown but no success here.
Friday lands a damaging elbow.
Friday is breathing heavily.
Sontag goes for a takedown in the clinch but Friday prevents it.
Sontag gets underhooks to prevent Friday's takedown attempt.
Friday stops a takedown attempt from Sontag.
With the fighters up against the cage, Friday throws an elbow but misses.
Friday throws an elbow that misses.
Friday lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Friday drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sontag pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sontag misses with a takedown

and Friday holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sontag has hold of one of Friday's legs. Friday is fighting the takedown attempt but Sontag gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sontag scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sontag thows a big elbow that misses.
Sontag scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Friday has momentary wrist control but Sontag slips an elbow through the middle.
Friday is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Friday escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sontag gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Friday avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Friday keeping full guard, as Sontag tries to pass.
Friday lands some strikes from the bottom.

Friday is looking for a triangle but Sontag pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sontag lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sontag's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sontag trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Friday is looking to stand up but Sontag isn't so interested in that idea.
Sontag distracts Friday with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Justin Sontag overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sontag tries to free his leg and advance position but Friday is retaining full guard.
Sontag passes Friday's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Friday pushes Sontag off looking to stand but Sontag dives back in and keeps control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sontag connects with a nice short shot to Friday's temple.
Sontag missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sontag wants to advance to full mount but Friday doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friday pulls Sontag in to control the position.
Sontag wants to control from the top but Friday keeps moving.
Sontag with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sontag works over Friday with some ground and pound from guard.
Sontag pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Friday is keeping the position for now.
Friday manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sontag is trying to escape the mount.
Friday looking to control but Sontag is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Friday takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Friday trying to control but Sontag is having none of it.
Sontag manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Sontag trying to get back to full guard but Friday takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Friday is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Sontag shoots in but Friday avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sontag tries for a takedown but Friday sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Friday as Sontag shoots in.

Friday clinches up with Sontag and pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rick Friday will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sontag misses with a takedown attempt - Friday sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sontag misses with a looping left.
Nice takedown defense from Friday. No joy for Sontag on that attempt.
Sontag fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Sontag. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sontag tries for a takedown but Friday sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Friday pushes Sontag up against the cage in a clinch.
Friday tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sontag smiles and moves away.
Friday stuffs the takedown attempt from Sontag. Sontag gets slowly back to his feet.
Friday fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sontag shoots for a takedown but Friday saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sontag shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Friday as he jumps to the side.
Sontag shoots in and drives through. Friday sprawls well.
Friday stuffs the takedown.

Friday rushes Sontag and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Friday gets underhooks to prevent Sontag's takedown attempt.
Sontag goes for a takedown in the clinch but Friday prevents it.
Sontag has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Friday is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sontag wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Friday lands an elbow inside that Sontag shrugs off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sontag takes an elbow to the temple.
Friday is working for takedown but Sontag is calmly controlling the position for now.
Friday prevents a takedown attempt there.
Friday tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Friday lands an elbow inside.
Friday pushes off an throws an elbow but Sontag leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sontag takes an elbow to the forehead.

Sontag lands a takedown into guard.
Friday keeping full guard, as Sontag tries to pass.
Sontag is fighting to break Friday's control of his arms but Friday is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sontag advances to half guard.
Sontag drops an elbow to the side of Friday's head.
Sontag lands with a punch from half guard.

Friday is rocked!
Sontag lands strikes from half guard.
Friday is still in real trouble! Can Sontag finish him?
Sontag looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Friday with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ground and pound from Sontag.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sontag working Friday over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sontag is nestled in close to Friday, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sontag landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sontag working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Friday has hold of Sontag's hands but Sontag slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sontag working Friday over with strikes.
Sontag working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sontag drops an elbow to the side of Friday's head.
Friday taking some punishment here, with Sontag in his half guard.
Sontag frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Sontag lands a nice shot to the head.
Sontag scoring with strikes but Friday is staying in there.

It looks like Rick Friday has been cut.
Sontag working Friday over with strikes here.
Friday is bucking up trying to escape but Sontag cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Sontag is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Friday can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sontag lands a big shot there that rocks Friday but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sontag working the ground and pound effectively.
Friday is in a horrible position here. Sontag smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sontag postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Friday looks a forlorn figure.
Sontag working the ground and pound effectively.
Justin Sontag has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sontag lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Friday is in a horrible position here. Sontag smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
A nice elbow there by Sontag.
Sontag lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Friday hang on?
Sontag with the ground and pound from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sontag landing strikes from the mount and Friday is in trouble!
Sontag lands a nice shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sontag landing shots from mount.
Sontag cracks Friday with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Sontag is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sontag fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Sontag in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That has opened up Rick Friday's cut even more.
Sontag working Friday over with strikes here.
Sontag landing strikes from the mount.
Sontag lands a big shot there that rocks Friday but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sontag lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Friday taking shots to the head.
Sontag scoring with strikes but Friday is staying in there.
Sontag landing punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Sontag showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Friday 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rick Friday!