PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ailani Sativa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jay Sponseller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sativa comes into the arena with Cypress Hill : Dr. Greenthumb blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sativa
vs
Sponseller

210 cm
24
275 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
225 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ailani Sativa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jay Sponseller!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Sponseller, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sativa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sponseller as he jumps to the side.
Sponseller will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sativa throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sponseller was covering up waiting for the punch and Sativa finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sativa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sativa gets to his feet - Sponseller follows without any prompting.
Sponseller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sponseller keeps the fight on the outside.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sativa.
Sponseller defending against the ground and pound.
Sativa advances to mount.
Sponseller trying desperately to get to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sativa tries to control but Sponseller wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sponseller wants to get back to his feet.
Sativa pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Sativa will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Sativa swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Sponseller is now in Sativa's guard. A big mistake from Sativa there, giving up the dominant position!
Sponseller is looking to stand up but Sativa won't let him.

Sponseller stands up and waves to Sativa to follow him.
Sativa fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sativa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ailani Sativa dominated that round.
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.

The fight stays on the outside here - Sativa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sativa avoids the head kick by Sponseller.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sponseller throws a head kick but Sativa moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sponseller avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sponseller stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sponseller wants it to stay on the feet.
Sponseller displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sativa.

Sponseller gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sativa to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sativa trying to control but Sponseller is working from the bottom.
Sponseller is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sativa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sponseller trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sativa's guard.
Sponseller must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sponseller decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sponseller leaves Sativa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ailani Sativa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sativa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sponseller swivels and escapes.
Sponseller tries a head kick but it misses.
Ailani Sativa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sponseller swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jay Sponseller will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sponseller lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sativa circles away quickly and effectively.

Sativa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Sativa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sativa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Sativa is trying to get an arm triangle but Sponseller is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sativa trying to control the action but Sponseller is working from the bottom.
Sativa misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sponseller is not content to let Sativa control the position.
Sponseller really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sativa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sponseller regains half guard there - taking advantage of Sativa's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sponseller looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sativa in particular looking to stall.
Sativa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Sativa is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

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.
Sponseller displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sativa.
Sativa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sponseller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sativa.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ailani Sativa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sativa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ailani Sativa!