PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Sanderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Turok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Sanderson
vs
Turok

197 cm
19
199 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Sanderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joseph Turok!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Turok looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Turok tries to clinch but Sanderson is having none of it.
Turok is looking to clinch but Sanderson is avoiding it.
Sanderson shoots in looking for a takedown. Turok tries to sprawl out of it but Sanderson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Turok manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Turok tries to clinch but Sanderson moves out of range.

Sanderson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sanderson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Turok taking shots to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Turok can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sanderson with shots to the head and body - Turok looks very uncomfortable down there.
Turok is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Turok in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Sanderson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Turok looks a forlorn figure.
Turok is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Sanderson lands a nice shot to the head.
Turok avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sanderson.
Turok wants to try and get back to his feet.
Turok really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sanderson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sanderson with a couple of short strikes.
Sanderson working the ground and pound effectively.
Sanderson with shots to the head and body - Turok looks very uncomfortable down there.

Turok is rocked!
Sanderson with the ground and pound from mount.
Sanderson misses with a head shot.
Turok is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Sanderson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson landing shots from mount.
Sanderson landing strikes from the mount.
Turok is trying to stand up.
Turok is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Sanderson lands a big shot there that rocks Turok but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
You get the feeling that Turok really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Turok looks gassed!
Sanderson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Turok is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sanderson dominating with strikes here.
Sanderson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sanderson scoring with strikes but Turok is staying in there.
Turok wants to try and get back to his feet.
Sanderson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Turok is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turok in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Sanderson has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Turok's face.
Sanderson scoring with strikes but Turok is staying in there.
Sanderson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sanderson thowing shots but they're missing.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Turok wants to get back to his feet.
Sanderson scoring with strikes but Turok is staying in there.
Turok takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Sanderson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sanderson 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.
Turok is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Sanderson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Poor strikes thrown by Sanderson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Turok is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
Sanderson lands a big shot there that rocks Turok but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sanderson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Turok can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Turok is trying to stand up.
Sanderson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Turok blocking the ground and pound.
Sanderson won't let Turok get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanderson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Turok in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Turok wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sanderson.
Sanderson won't let Turok get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Sanderson dominated that round.
That's time! Sanderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sanderson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Turok but Turok pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Turok fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanderson tries for a takedown but Turok sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Turok thows a body shot but no joy.

Sanderson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Sanderson looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Sanderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Turok tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Turok using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanderson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Turok tries to land knees in the clinch but Sanderson avoids the damage to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turok using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanderson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Turok throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanderson blocks it with crossed arms.
Turok missing with knees to the body.
Turok throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanderson blocks it with crossed arms.
Turok tries to land a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks with his arms.
Turok misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turok throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanderson blocks it with crossed arms.
Turok tries to land a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks with his arms.
Turok is pressed up against the ropes. Sanderson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Turok down to the mat. Turok avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sanderson shoots in for a takedown but Turok shows good takedown defense.

Sanderson clinches.
Turok tries to land a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks with his arms.
Turok tries to land a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks with his arms.
Sanderson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sanderson is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Turok gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Turok is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Turok tries a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks it.
Turok with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Turok tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Turok throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanderson blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Turok misses with a knee to the head.
Turok tries a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks it.
Sanderson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Turok crunches a lovely knee into Sanderson's ribcage.
Turok missing with knees to the body.
Turok misses with a knee strike.
Turok trying to land knees to the body.
Turok utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sanderson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Turok pulls his leg out and moves away.
Turok tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Sanderson counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Turok wants to get back to his feet.
Sanderson working the body and head with strikes.
Turok is trying to get back to his feet.
Sanderson cracks Turok with a big elbow.
Sanderson throws a strike aimed at the side of Turok's head but Turok avoids it well.
Sanderson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Sanderson fails to land a wild elbow strike.

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

and Sanderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Turok is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sanderson is defending well for now.

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.
Turok misses with a knee to the head.
Turok tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sanderson has Turok pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Turok manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Turok connects with a knee to the head.
Turok lands a knee to the head.
Sanderson is trying to break free.
Sanderson looking for a takedown.
Sanderson managing to block the knees to the body from Turok.
Sanderson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Turok throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanderson blocks it with crossed arms.
Sanderson is working for takedown but Turok is calmly controlling the position for now.
Turok looking to throw knees to the head but Sanderson is blocking nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Turok misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sanderson.
Turok misses with a knee strike.
Turok with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Sanderson dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sanderson shoots in looking for a takedown. Turok tries to sprawl out of it but Sanderson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Turok manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanderson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Turok circles away.

Turok gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Turok utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Turok tries a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks it.
Turok throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanderson blocks it with crossed arms.
Turok misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sanderson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanderson has Turok pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Turok manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Sanderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanderson avoiding damage as Turok throws knees to the body.
Turok lands a good knee to the midsection. Sanderson won't want to take too many of those.
Turok with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Turok connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turok looking to throw knees to the head but Sanderson is blocking nicely.
Sanderson tries for a takedown but Turok manages to get underhooks.
Turok unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Turok missing with knees to the body.
Turok connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sanderson's face.
Sanderson wants a takedown but no success here.
Sanderson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Turok pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Turok tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sanderson avoids it.
Turok with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Turok tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Turok looking to throw knees to the head but Sanderson is blocking nicely.
Turok tries to land knees in the clinch but Sanderson avoids the damage to the body.
Sanderson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Turok using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanderson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two 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.
Turok prevents a takedown attempt there.
Turok with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sanderson managing to block the knees to the body from Turok.
Turok looking to throw knees to the head but Sanderson is blocking nicely.
Sanderson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Turok avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Turok misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sanderson.
Turok lands a good knee to the midsection. Sanderson won't want to take too many of those.
Sanderson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sanderson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Turok pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sanderson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Turok circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turok is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Turok wants to clinch

and Sanderson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sanderson.
Sanderson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Turok is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sanderson is controlling him.
Sanderson postures up in Turok's guard and throws a big left but Turok blocks it.
Sanderson thows a big elbow that misses.
Sanderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Turok has wrist control.
Turok wants to stand up but Sanderson is controlling him.
Sanderson scoring with some ground and pound.
Turok is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Turok wants to clinch but Sanderson slips to the side

and Sanderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sanderson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Turok is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson avoiding damage as Turok throws knees to the body.
Turok misses with a knee to the head.
Sanderson is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Turok tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Turok tries a knee to the head but Sanderson blocks it.

Sanderson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Turok regains guard immediately.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnny Sanderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sanderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Turok wants to stand up but Sanderson is controlling him.
Sanderson throwing strikes from guard but Turok blocks nicely.
Joseph Turok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnny Sanderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sanderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Turok has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Sanderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanderson, 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:26
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:26
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:26

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