PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Numbers Sexton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Byron Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sexton
vs
Hall

155 cm
18
278 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

195 cm
18
264 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Numbers Sexton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Byron Hall!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Joseph Jones and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sexton gets the takedown into side control.
Sexton fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hall can't do much from the bottom here.
Hall tries to bench press Sexton off him but Sexton keeps the position.
Sexton landing strikes.
Hall is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Sexton is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Hall is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sexton working Hall over with strikes here.
Hall tries to hold on but Sexton postures up.
Hall tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hall can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sexton lands a big shot there that rocks Hall but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sexton with the ground and pound from mount.
Hall is trying to escape the mount.
Sexton 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.
Hall holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Sexton tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Sexton really is a fat lump.
Sexton misses with some ground and pound and Hall recovers position to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sexton.
Hall throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Sexton manages to pass to side control.
Hall is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hall manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Sexton trying to control but Hall postures up.
Sexton tries to roll over but Hall keeps him under control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hall stands up from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hall gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sexton taking a breather.
Sexton has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hall will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sexton up against the cage.
Hall stalling the fight.
Hall receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Sexton is struggling to control the position.

Sexton jumps guard and drags Hall to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hall showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sexton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sexton is trying to hold Hall in close to prevent damage but Hall has managed to pass into half guard.
Hall working Sexton over with strikes.
Hall looks to land a strike but Sexton avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hall throws an elbow that misses. Sexton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hall's guard. Nice move by Sexton!

Hall has his hands on Sexton's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Numbers Sexton dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sexton avoids the head kick by Hall.
Sexton throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hall misses with a straight right.

Hall rushes Sexton and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Sexton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sexton fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hall shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Sexton has his feet on Hall's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hall closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sexton's guard.

Hall drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sexton manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hall has Sexton in his guard.

Hall pulls Sexton in close to prevent any damage.

Hall is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sexton defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sexton lands a couple of digs.
Sexton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sexton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sexton postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sexton throws a strike but Hall rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hall is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hall must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sexton wants to stand and escape but Hall is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall wants to stand and escape but instead Sexton has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Sexton might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sexton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hall is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sexton is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sexton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hall working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sexton.

Hall has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sexton can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hall is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sexton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hall looking to control.
Hall is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sexton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sexton postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sexton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hall is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sexton is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Numbers Sexton dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hall shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hall stopping the sweep attempt from Sexton.
Sexton is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hall cracks Sexton with a solid left hand.
Sexton keeping moving, preventing Hall from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hall slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hall preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton has a closed guard, preventing Hall from standing up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Sexton tries to sprawl but Hall drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Sexton is defending against the submission attempts here by Hall.
Hall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hall working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hall.
Sexton is not content to let Hall control the position.
Hall wants to get back to his feet.
Sexton moves into full guard.
Hall loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hall wants to stand but Sexton has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hall throws the kick towards the body but Sexton avoids it.

Hall shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sexton holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Hall thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sexton wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sexton is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hall's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hall's back!
Sexton is not going to allow Hall to sit and survive in this position.
Numbers Sexton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sexton scores with punches and elbows.
Hall is really stuck here.
Hall is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sexton softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Byron Hall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Numbers Sexton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hall can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Byron Hall.
I think Sexton 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Numbers Sexton!