PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Walker (ranked 2511 p4p, 3054 weight class) and Ethan Hunt (ranked 327 p4p, 398 weight class). Walker's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Blood Cells. 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.

Walker
vs
Hunt

183 cm
26
170
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
27
165
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sam Walker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ethan Hunt!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Steve Montenegro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunt moves out of range as Walker strikes.

Hunt drives through with a takedown into Walker's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hunt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hunt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hunt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hunt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hunt throws an elbow that misses. Walker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hunt's guard. Nice move by Walker!

Hunt trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Hunt really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Walker. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Hunt scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hunt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Walker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hunt somewhat.
Walker swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Walker looks to throw the jab but Hunt is out of range.
Hunt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Walker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hunt somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker lands a jab to the nose.
Walker moves away from the strike by Hunt.
Walker connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hunt's hands.
Walker lands a jab to the head.
Sam Walker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hunt fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sam Walker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Hunt.
Walker lands a really nice looking cross but Hunt seems unphased.
Walker misses with an uppercut.
Hunt will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A little feinted left hand from Walker on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Walker connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hunt has his takedown stuffed
letting Walker counter with a right hand.
Walker jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hunt is looking to clinch but Walker is avoiding it.
Walker with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt blocks a jab.

Hunt dives in and scores a takedown into Walker's guard.
Hunt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hunt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Walker has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Hunt chips away with some ground and pound.
Hunt wants to control from the top but Walker keeps moving.
Walker lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hunt working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Walker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Walker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Walker trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker stays in close to Hunt's body and controls the position.

Hunt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Walker defends well.
Hunt looking for a sweep. Not yet Hunt, not yet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hunt is wriggling around but Walker manages to pass to half guard.

Walker is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hunt is not content to let Walker control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hunt pushes Walker off looking to stand but Walker dives back in and keeps control.

Hunt actively working from the bottom here.
Hunt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hunt is trying to stand up here but Walker is controlling him well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Hunt closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Walker's guard.
Walker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hunt's guard.

Walker controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hunt wants to get back to his feet but Walker is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Walker dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Walker throws a right and a left that Hunt avoids nicely.
Hunt tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Walker counter with a right hand.
Walker slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Hunt drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Walker trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Hunt must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hunt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hunt throws a strike but Walker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Walker wants to control from the top but Hunt keeps moving.
Hunt throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Walker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hunt swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Walker cracks Hunt with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hunt wriggles free and stands up.
Walker throws an overhand right that lands on Hunt's shoulder, as Hunt tries to avoid the shot.
Hunt fails with a takedown attempt.
Hunt shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Walker but Walker pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ethan Hunt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hunt shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Walker as he jumps to the side.
Sam Walker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Hunt.
Hunt tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Walker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hunt can do to turn this around?
A lazy left from Walker finds it's target.
Ethan Hunt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd cheers as Walker lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hunt doesn't seem phased though.

Hunt fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Walker to the ground. Hunt is now in Walker's guard.
Walker lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Walker trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hunt pushes Walker off and scrambles back to his feet.
Walker is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hunt uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Walker.
Hunt walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Walker throws a hook to the side of Hunt's head but Hunt sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Walker displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hunt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Walker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hunt somewhat.
Hunt closes the distance and clinches up with Walker, looking for a takedown. Hunt pushes Walker against the cage but Walker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Walker.
Hunt ducks right into an uppercut from Walker.
Hunt misses with a takedown attempt - Walker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt slips under a jab from Walker.
Hunt tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Walker is able to avoid easily.
Walker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hunt.
Hunt tries to clinch there but Walker circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Walker. No joy for Hunt on that attempt.
Hunt is breathing heavily.
Walker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hunt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Walker lands a head shot.
Walker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hunt.
Hunt displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Walker throws out the jab.
Walker thuds his right hand into Hunt's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hunt shoots for a takedown but Walker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hunt shoots in looking for a takedown. Walker tries to sprawl out of it but Hunt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Walker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Walker jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt slips under a jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hunt or perhaps it was just good defense by Walker, which made it look bad.
Walker misses with an uppercut. Hunt saw that one coming.
Hunt dives in and grabs Walker's left leg, looking for a takedown. Walker pushes down on Hunt's head and hops out.
An attempted straight right counter from Walker misses the target.
Walker lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Walker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Walker throws a big shot that misses.
Walker misses with an uppercut. Hunt saw that one coming.
Sam Walker is winning the standup battle so far.
Walker thuds his right hand into Hunt's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hunt throws a lazy head kick
and Walker counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hunt is defended easily by Walker.
Walker throws out a loose jab but Hunt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hunt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Walker swivels and escapes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Walker dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Walker drops Hunt with a beautiful combination! Hunt stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Walker is looking for the KO!

Hunt is still looking wobbly from the end of the last round!
Hunt slips under a jab.
Hunt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Walker swivels and escapes.
Walker tries to counter by clinching up but Hunt breaks away and moves out of range.
Walker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hunt sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hunt looks for a takedown but Walker sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hunt.
Sam Walker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Hunt.
Walker cracks Hunt with an open hand slap.

Hunt looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Walker gets full guard.
Walker controlling Hunt's posture.
Hunt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hunt throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Walker is on top in guard.

Walker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA New York inform us that Hunt has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Hunt is striking from the bottom but Walker uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Hunt trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Walker manages to pass to mount!
Hunt regains half guard.
Walker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hunt defending well though.
Ethan Hunt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Hunt trying to control from the bottom.
Hunt wants to improve his position but Walker is controlling well.
Walker is keen to just control but Hunt is a slippery customer.
Walker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Walker wants to take a breather but Hunt is having none of it.
Ethan Hunt has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hunt blocking the ground and pound attempt from Walker.
Hunt wants to sweep but Walker has passed to side control!
Hunt trying to control but Walker flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker gets his hands free as Hunt looks to control.
Hunt is really stuck here.
Hunt covering up well under a series of strikes from Walker.
Hunt is trying to get back to his feet but Walker has full control of the position and if anything, Hunt has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Hunt is trying to remain composed but Walker is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Walker throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Hunt covering up well under a series of strikes from Walker.
Hunt tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt looking very determined here, making life difficult for Walker.
Hunt tries to roll but Walker sticks to his back.
Hunt looking very determined here, making life difficult for Walker.
Hunt is trying to get back to his feet but Walker has full control of the position and if anything, Hunt has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Walker controlling well, preventing Hunt from escaping the position.
Hunt wants to get back to his feet.
Hunt is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Walker.
Sam Walker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Walker throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Walker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Walker, 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Walker!
Sam Walker managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Bondi MMA 🏝️, into his post fight interview.