PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tonny Chopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cael Sanderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cael Sanderson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Tonny Chopper's chin.

Chopper
vs
Sanderson

185 cm
22
189 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

186 cm
25
193 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tonny Chopper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cael Sanderson!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanderson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sanderson shoots in and drives through. Chopper sprawls well.
Chopper misses with a takedown attempt

and Sanderson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Chopper won't be happy with that.
Chopper can't do much from the bottom here.
Chopper managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sanderson.
Chopper is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sanderson connects with a decent elbow.

Chopper is rocked!

It looks like Tonny Chopper has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanderson fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Chopper throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Sanderson misses with the ground and pound.
Sanderson landing a few strikes.
Chopper is looking for a sweep.
Sanderson working the head with strikes.
Chopper regains half guard.
Chopper tries to get to full guard but Sanderson has control of the leg.
Sanderson throwing shots but Chopper is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chopper avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanderson.
Sanderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sanderson winds up and cracks Chopper with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Oh Chopper is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Chopper misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Chopper seems to have got his legs back now.
Chopper blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sanderson.
Sanderson with the ground and pound but Chopper uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Sanderson stopping the sweep attempt from Chopper.
Sanderson works over Chopper with some ground and pound from guard.
Chopper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Chopper has wrist control.
Chopper working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanderson.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sanderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Sanderson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson thows a huge punch but Chopper dodges it nicely.
Sanderson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sanderson winds up and cracks Chopper with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanderson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Chopper is breathing heavily.
Chopper works his way to full guard. Good work.
Chopper is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sanderson is looking for a sweep. Chopper is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sanderson tries to kick Chopper off but Chopper keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sanderson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Sanderson is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chopper slips a nice elbow through Sanderson's hands, connecting with Sanderson's forehead.

Chopper gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Sanderson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sanderson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanderson connects with a couple of short punches.

Chopper looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sanderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chopper is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sanderson is aware though and is defending well.
Sanderson is in close to Chopper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Chopper thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Sanderson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Chopper working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanderson.
Sanderson is in close to Chopper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sanderson is in close to Chopper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sanderson chips away with some ground and pound.
Chopper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sanderson lands a couple of digs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sanderson connects with a couple of short punches.
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!
Sanderson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cael Sanderson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tonny Chopper's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sanderson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chopper sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sanderson somewhat.
Sanderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Sanderson moves into the clinch.

Sanderson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Chopper is trying to keep an underhook but Sanderson manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Chopper trying to control here.
Chopper slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sanderson throwing strikes but missing.
Cael Sanderson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chopper keeping moving, preventing Sanderson from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sanderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Chopper has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Chopper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Chopper tries to keep at a distance but Sanderson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sanderson has Chopper pressed against the cage, preventing Chopper from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Sanderson manages to break the clinch.
Sanderson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Chopper circles away.
Tonny Chopper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cael Sanderson.

Chopper gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sanderson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sanderson working some strikes from top position.
Sanderson lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson wants to pass the guard but Chopper is keeping the position.
Sanderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Chopper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chopper working a defensive guard here.

Chopper pushes Sanderson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Chopper with a poor takedown

and Sanderson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Chopper's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanderson working some strikes from top position.
Sanderson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sanderson scoring with some ground and pound.

Chopper is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sanderson is aware though and is defending well.
Sanderson won't allow Chopper to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chopper keeping moving, preventing Sanderson from controlling successfully.
Sanderson won't allow Chopper to sweep him here.
Chopper doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Sanderson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chopper is proving hard to escape from.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Sanderson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Chopper looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Check out the look on Sanderson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Chopper taking punishment in the form of punches.

Sanderson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Chopper sneaks back into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Chopper's head.
Sanderson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Chopper. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Chopper has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sanderson is working away from the top position though.
Sanderson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sanderson working Chopper over with strikes.
Sanderson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sanderson drops an elbow to the side of Chopper's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanderson working Chopper over with strikes.
Sanderson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Sanderson there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cael Sanderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tonny Chopper's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sanderson gets the takedown into side control.
Sanderson is looking to take a break and control but Chopper is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chopper can't do much from the bottom here.
Sanderson working the body and head with strikes.
Sanderson working the body and head with strikes.
Sanderson throws a strike aimed at the side of Chopper's head but Chopper avoids it well.
Chopper throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Chopper wants to control but Sanderson postures up.
Chopper wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chopper takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson is putting a hurting on Chopper here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sanderson scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sanderson working the ground and pound.
Sanderson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Chopper to see if he's OK.
Sanderson scoring with punches from side control.
Chopper takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sanderson is putting a hurting on Chopper here, landing some big shots from side control.
Chopper takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sanderson cracks Chopper with a big elbow.
Sanderson working the body and head with strikes.
Sanderson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Chopper down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson scores with a couple of short elbows.

Sanderson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Tonny Chopper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chopper moves in looking to clinch but Sanderson pushes him off.

Sanderson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Chopper did well to prevent Sanderson getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Chopper is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sanderson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sanderson misses with a head shot. Chopper uses the momentum to regain guard.
Sanderson trying to control but Chopper is working from the bottom.
Sanderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cael Sanderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanderson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sanderson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chopper's head.
Chopper keeping moving, preventing Sanderson from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sanderson shoots in for a takedown but Chopper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanderson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanderson throws a right and a left that Chopper avoids nicely.
Chopper lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sanderson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Chopper as he avoids it easily.
Chopper tries for a takedown but Sanderson circles away easily

and Sanderson counters with a shoot takedown. Chopper fights it but they end up in guard.
Sanderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Chopper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chopper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sanderson is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson is looking to stand up but Chopper won't let him.
Sanderson won't allow Chopper to sweep him here.
Sanderson wants to control from the top but Chopper keeps moving.
Sanderson wants to stand but Chopper has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Chopper preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sanderson won't allow Chopper to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Sanderson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sanderson lands in his opponent's guard.
Chopper wants to stand but Sanderson is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cael Sanderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sanderson 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cael Sanderson!