PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hector Bonilla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Sander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roger Sander will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bonilla
vs
Sander

175 cm
22
135 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

170 cm
20
142 lbs
3 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hector Bonilla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roger Sander!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bonilla closes the distance and clinches up with Sander, looking for a takedown. Bonilla pushes Sander against the cage but Sander circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sander doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bonilla counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sander's guard now.

Bonilla drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sander looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sander looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sander!
Bonilla manages to get back to half guard.

Bonilla looking for submissions off his back.

Bonilla looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sander is pressing down on Bonilla's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bonilla is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sander with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Bonilla looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sander performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sander is trying to control. Bonilla wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Bonilla wants to improve his position but Sander is controlling well.
Sander tries to stand but can't do so whilst Bonilla controls his leg.

Sander is working for a kimura but Bonilla is defending it quite comfortably.
Sander is trying to control. Bonilla wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Sander drives through and clinches with Bonilla against the cage.
Sander is trying to drag Bonilla to the mat but Bonilla just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Good body shot from Sander.
Sander lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bonilla tries to score a body lock takedown but Sander shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bonilla jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sander walks away with a smile on his face. Bonilla gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Bonilla. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sander throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Sander gets the takedown into side control.
Bonilla is breathing heavily.
Bonilla is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Sander asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sander working the head and body with strikes.
Bonilla is not content to let Sander control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sander cracks Bonilla with a big right hand but Bonilla just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Sander looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Roger Sander will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bonilla has his takedown stuffed

and Sander decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bonilla's guard.
Bonilla avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bonilla keeping full guard, as Sander tries to pass.

Bonilla has his foot on Sander's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sander works his way back into a safe position though.
Sander must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sander drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sander jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sander trying to control the position from guard on top but Bonilla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sander has gone for a leg lock! Bonilla slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sander's guard.

Bonilla drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bonilla jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sander avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bonilla preventing the sweep.
Sander has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bonilla has passed into side control.
Sander is looking to regain half guard here but Bonilla keeps moving and retains side control.

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

Bonilla working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sander can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sander doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bonilla counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sander controls Bonilla momentarily but Bonilla frees himself.
Sander really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bonilla. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sander wants to sweep here but Bonilla controlling him for the moment.

Bonilla drops back looking for a leg! Sander is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sander manages to kick Bonilla off! Bonilla jumps back into Sander's guard.
Sander is trying to control the position but Bonilla postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sander is on top in guard.
Sander trying to control but Bonilla is working from the bottom.
Sander sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bonilla's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hector Bonilla will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sander pushes Bonilla up against the cage in a clinch.

Sander manages to pull guard.
Sander throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Sander bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bonilla's guard.

Bonilla is looking for a triangle but Sander pushes his legs off easily.

Sander drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bonilla manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sander has Bonilla in his guard.

Bonilla drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sander dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sander content to stall in guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bonilla working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sander doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sander manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bonilla keeping moving, preventing Sander from controlling successfully.
Sander sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sander pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bonilla is keeping the position for now.
Sander controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Bonilla is working an open guard so Sander takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Bonilla really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bonilla doesn't succeed with the takedown

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sander is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bonilla gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Sander jumps into guard, dragging Bonilla to the mat.
Sander is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Bonilla drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bonilla jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bonilla postures up in Sander's guard and throws a big left but Sander blocks it.
Sander wants to sweep but no luck.
Bonilla stops Sander from standing up.
Sander trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

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.

Bonilla is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sander is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sander has escaped and now he's on top!
Sander 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.

Sander drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sander jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Roger Sander.
I think Sander 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roger Sander!