PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nigel McHughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sparky Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McHughes comes into the arena with Welcome To My Hood blaring out of the sound system. Nigel McHughes could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Sparky Sampson's chin.

McHughes
vs
Sampson

187 cm
28
191 lbs
13 - 10 - 1

165 cm
28
190 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

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 13 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nigel McHughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sparky Sampson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampson shoots for a double leg takedown but McHughes sprawls well. He's pushed Sampson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sampson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McHughes as he avoids it easily.
Sampson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McHughes is fending him off so far but Sampson persists. Nope, McHughes circles away and we're back to standing.
Sampson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as McHughes is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nigel McHughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sparky Sampson.

Sampson clinches up with McHughes and pushes him back against the cage.

McHughes gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Sampson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McHughes pulls his head out easily.

Sampson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McHughes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sampson defending well though.
McHughes lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Sampson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McHughes tries to keep at a distance but Sampson has taken the fight into the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McHughes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McHughes lands an uppercut.
McHughes throws a head punch that misses.
McHughes is trying to break the clinch but Sampson has him pressed against the cage.
McHughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Sampson uses good head movement to avoid it.
McHughes tries a body shot but Sampson blocks it.

Sampson manages to break the clinch.
Sampson cracks a nice hook into McHughes's ribs.

Sampson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McHughes's guard.

Sampson has gone for a leg lock! McHughes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sampson's guard.
McHughes sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sampson's guard.
McHughes trying to control from half guard but Sampson is working away.

Sampson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McHughes pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sampson.
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!

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

Sampson has his foot on McHughes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McHughes works his way back into a safe position though.
McHughes wants to control from the top but Sampson keeps moving.

Sampson is looking for a triangle here but McHughes uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
McHughes throws an elbow but Sampson slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sampson is not content to let McHughes control the position.
Sampson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but McHughes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked McHughes off and has taken his back!

McHughes defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Sampson working for a choke but McHughes is defending well.
McHughes tries to break free.
Sampson doesn't have the hooks in and McHughes manages to turn into his guard.
McHughes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McHughes engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McHughes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sampson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
McHughes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sampson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sampson working a defensive guard here.
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!
Sampson throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Sampson working for submissions but it's allowed McHughes to get to half guard.
Sampson scores with a few weak punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sampson is refusing to be controlled, as McHughes sits in half guard.
Sampson gets full guard.
McHughes looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sparky Sampson will probably get the nod.
That's time! McHughes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A slapping leg kick lands for Sampson.
Sampson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McHughes tries to avoid it but Sampson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McHughes to the ground. McHughes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sampson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McHughes swivels and escapes.
Sampson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McHughes avoids it really well and circles away.
Nigel McHughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sparky Sampson.
McHughes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sampson throws a series of punches but McHughes moves out of range.
A head kick from Sampson lands but McHughes takes it in his stride.
An inside leg kick from Sampson misses.
Sparky Sampson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sampson just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sampson instigates a clinch.
McHughes looking to stall.
A left hand lands to the body for McHughes.
Sampson missing with knees to the body.
Sampson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McHughes gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
McHughes has a couple of punches blocked by Sampson.
McHughes misses with some punches.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sampson looks to score with a jab to the body but McHughes is just out of range.

Sampson clinches up against the cage.
Sampson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McHughes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sampson blocking some punches.
McHughes struggles to land a body shot inside as Sampson controls his hands.
Sampson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McHughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Sampson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McHughes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sampson tries to score a body lock takedown but McHughes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sampson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McHughes is defending well.
McHughes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sampson blocks it with crossed arms.
Sampson blocking some punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sampson is looking for a takedown.
McHughes misses with a knee to the head.
McHughes pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Sampson tries for a takedown but McHughes manages to get underhooks.
McHughes lands a damaging elbow.
McHughes is looking to control Sampson's arms but Sampson gets an underhook and turns him. Now McHughes has his back to the cage.
McHughes stops a takedown attempt from Sampson.
McHughes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sampson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sampson is trying to drag McHughes to the mat but McHughes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sampson is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McHughes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sampson backwards.
Still in the clinch, McHughes scores with a nice short uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, McHughes throws an elbow but misses.
McHughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sampson blocking some punches.
Sampson tries for a takedown. No joy.

McHughes lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
McHughes looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Sampson actively working from the bottom here.
McHughes wants to pass to mount but Sampson is defending the position.
Well, if McHughes is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson wants to get back to full guard.
McHughes is looking to take a break and control but Sampson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

McHughes stands up from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sampson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McHughes swivels and escapes.

Sampson rushes McHughes and presses him up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sampson is working for takedown but McHughes is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sampson blocks an uppercut.
McHughes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sampson.
McHughes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nigel McHughes dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sampson has closed the distance and engaged McHughes in a clinch.
McHughes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sampson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McHughes is defending well.
McHughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from McHughes fails to land.
McHughes scores with a nice hook to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McHughes.
McHughes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sampson backwards.

McHughes lands a takedown into guard.

Sampson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

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

Sampson looking for a guillotine here but McHughes defends easily.
McHughes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sampson is keeping the position for now.
McHughes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sampson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McHughes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sampson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
McHughes wants to control from the top but Sampson keeps moving.
McHughes is looking to work some ground and pound but Sampson has wrist control.

Sampson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Sampson throws his legs up looking for a submission but McHughes uses it to pass to side control.
Sampson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McHughes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McHughes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sampson tries to improve position but can't.
McHughes is putting a hurting on Sampson here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sampson is looking for a sweep.
Sampson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McHughes taking a breather here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sampson tries to buck McHughes off but McHughes is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson manages to get back to half guard.
McHughes content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Nigel McHughes has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sampson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

McHughes gets tackled into the cage by Sampson. Sampson maintains the clinch.
Sampson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McHughes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A nice right hand lands inside from McHughes.
McHughes working aggressively here.
McHughes tries to stall but Sampson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sampson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McHughes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nigel McHughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sparky Sampson.
McHughes misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson tries to stall but McHughes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The referee is keeping an eye on McHughes - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A short right from McHughes.
McHughes working aggressively here.
Sampson goes for a takedown in the clinch but McHughes prevents it.
McHughes tries to land knees in the clinch but Sampson avoids the damage to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McHughes gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Sampson regains guard.
McHughes passes Sampson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McHughes uses his free foot to push down on Sampson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Sampson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McHughes looking to control but Sampson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
McHughes looking to finish Sampson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sampson!

And that's the end of the fight!
Nigel McHughes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McHughes 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nigel McHughes!
After winning the bout, Nigel McHughes thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.