PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rikko Sonders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lee Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lee Jones told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sonders
vs
Jones

168 cm
21
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

225 cm
21
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Rikko Sonders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Lee Jones!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonders keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sonders throws a right hand that Jones ducks under and follows up with a left that Jones also avoids with ease.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt

and Jones moves into the clinch.
Sonders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jones.
Jones stalling in the clinch.
Jones managing to block the knees to the body from Sonders.
Jones displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sonders up against the cage.
Jones misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jones dodges an elbow strike from Sonders.

Jones breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sonders misses with a head kick.
Sonders throws a jab but it's blocked by Jones.

Jones closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sonders wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jones looking for a takedown.
Rikko Sonders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Jones.
Jones keeps control of Sonders as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sonders is trying to break the clinch but Jones is controlling him.
Jones has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sonders avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jones wants a takedown but no success here.
Sonders is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sonders tries a knee to the head but Jones blocks it.

Jones breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sonders misses with a head kick.
Sonders throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sonders throws a wild body kick that Jones sees coming a mile off.
Sonders thumps Jones with a low kick.

Jones clinches.
Sonders wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jones has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonders tries to break free but Jones pushes him back against the cage.
Jones is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sonders tries to circle away but Jones has him pinned against the cage.
Sonders tries to circle away but Jones has him pinned against the cage.

Jones pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sonders displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jones.
Sonders fails to land with a series of punches.

Jones gets a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sonders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sonders looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Jones lands an uppercut.
Sonders working hard to break the clinch.
Jones scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Jones manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonders misses with a few strikes there.

Jones gets a clinch.
Jones managing to block the knees to the body from Sonders.
Jones keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sonders's efforts to push away.
Jones avoiding damage as Sonders throws knees to the body.
Sonders tries to break free but Jones pushes him back against the cage.
Jones is trying to drag Sonders to the mat but Sonders just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sonders wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Jones blocks an elbow strike.
Sonders can't break the clinch.
Sonders working hard to break the clinch.
Sonders tries to break free but Jones pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sonders tries a head kick but it misses.
Sonders throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jones shoots in looking for a takedown. Sonders tries to sprawl out of it but Jones keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sonders manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A head kick by Sonders misses

and Jones counters by clinching up.
Sonders wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Sonders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jones is defending well for now.
Jones has Sonders pressed against the cage, preventing Sonders from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sonders tries to break free but Jones pushes him back against the cage.
Jones has Sonders pressed against the cage, preventing Sonders from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sonders tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones leaning his opponent against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonders tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rikko Sonders will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sonders tries to clinch but Jones moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Sonders as Jones shoots in.
Sonders tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sonders.
A big left from Sonders misses.
A head kick misses from Sonders.
Nice sprawl there from Sonders as Jones shoots in.
Sonders throws a sloppy head kick
and Jones counters with a head kick. That will keep Sonders thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rikko Sonders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sonders stuffs the takedown.
Rikko Sonders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Jones.
Sonders moves out of range of the body kick.
Jones throws a head kick that misses.
Rikko Sonders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Jones fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sonders, pushing him back against the cage.
Sonders wants to break free but Jones has control.
Jones has Sonders pressed against the cage, preventing Sonders from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Jones is struggling to control the position.
Jones lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sonders's efforts to push away.
Sonders avoiding damage as Jones throws knees to the body.
Jones tries to land knees in the clinch but Sonders avoids the damage to the body.

Jones manages to break the clinch.
Sonders throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick by Sonders misses

and Jones counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sonders is trying to break the clinch but Jones has him pressed against the cage.

Jones breaks the clinch.
Sonders tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jones manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sonders tries to clinch up.
Sonders throws a right hand that Jones ducks under and follows up with a left that Jones also avoids with ease.
Sonders misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonders takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sonders throws a head kick that misses.

Jones closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sonders misses with some punches.

Jones drags the fight down to the ground.
Jones is breathing heavily.
Sonders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sonders throws an elbow that misses. Jones uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sonders's guard. Nice move by Jones!

Jones stands up from guard. Let's bang!
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!

Jones clinches.
Sonders wants to get back to striking at distance but Jones won't allow it.
Sonders has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sonders tries a knee to the head but Jones blocks it.
Sonders is trying to push Jones away but Jones has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sonders trying to land knees to the body.
Sonders is trying to force a seperation but Jones has the dominant position.
Sonders can't break the clinch.
Sonders is looking to break free of the clinch but Jones has double underhooks.

Jones breaks from the clinch.
Jones lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sonders.
Sonders lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sonders.
Jones ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sonders moves away.
Jones blocks a head kick by Sonders.
Jones misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sonders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones fails in his attempt to clinch.

Jones clinches with his opponent.
Sonders is trying to break the clinch but Jones is controlling him.

Jones pulls guard effortlessly.
Sonders wants to stand but Jones is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sonders wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Sonders might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lee Jones will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Sonders is looking to clinch.
Sonders will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Jones closes the distance and pushes Sonders back into the cage.

Jones breaks from the clinch.
Sonders throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sonders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sonders throws a head kick but Jones moves out of range.
Sonders misses with a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jones.
Jones fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sonders avoids it really well and circles away.
Sonders throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonders fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jones has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jones takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Jones shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sonders pinned against the cage. Sonders gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rikko Sonders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Jones.
Sonders misses with a kick to the body.
Sonders avoids a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Sonders.
Some wild striking there from Sonders.

Jones forces Sonders back against the cage and clinches.

Jones manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Jones is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sonders has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Jones wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones closes the distance and clinches up with Sonders, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes Sonders against the cage but Sonders circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Jones blocks the low kick.
Jones throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sonders's waist but Sonders gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jones off to one side.
Sonders swinging wildly here.
Sonders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sonders connects with the punch.
Rikko Sonders is winning the standup battle so far.
Sonders swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Jones moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonders tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.
Sonders wants to break free but Jones has control.
Jones tries to score a body lock takedown but Sonders shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lee Jones seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonders pushes off an throws an elbow but Jones leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sonders looking to throw knees to the head but Jones is blocking nicely.
Sonders has had enough of the clinch but Jones keeps him there for the moment.
Jones tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sonders just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sonders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sonders working hard to break the clinch.
Sonders tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.
Sonders can't break the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sonders is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sonders is trying to break the clinch but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Sonders being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonders has had enough of the clinch but Jones keeps him there for the moment.
Sonders throws an elbow that misses.
Sonders is trying to break free.
Sonders is trying to push Jones away but Jones has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sonders is trying to break free.

Jones decides to pull guard.
Jones trying to control the position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonders trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rikko Sonders.
I think Sonders 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rikko Sonders!