PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jason Mason (ranked 2225 p4p, 1390 weight class) and Eron Saunders (ranked 281 p4p, 184 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Eron Saunders enters the cage!

Mason
vs
Saunders

185 cm
29
185
7 - 6 - 0

194 cm
36
196
21 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

FUClothing
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jason Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eron Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saunders uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mason.
Mason throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saunders moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Saunders rushes Mason and presses him up against the cage.
Saunders lands with a right to the head.
Saunders blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mason blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saunders.
Saunders can't find room to land a body shot as Mason controls the action.
Saunders wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mason has him pressed against the cage.
Mason lands a nice uppercut.
Mason lands with a left to the head.
Saunders misses with an elbow over the top.
Saunders tries to throw a body punch but Mason avoids it by throwing Saunders back against the cage.
Mason misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saunders misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saunders.

Saunders breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saunders throws a good cross that connects.

It looks like Jason Mason has been cut.
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!
Saunders lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Saunders.
Saunders misses with a straight left.

Mason shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Mason was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Mason is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Saunders knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mason is staying tight to Saunders's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Mason looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mason trying to control the position but Saunders is working away.

Mason is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Saunders has escaped the position, nice work there.

Mason is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Saunders is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Mason working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mason wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Saunders seems a little lost for a moment, as Mason dominates the positioning.

Mason goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Saunders rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mason's guard! Nice work there by Saunders!

Mason escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saunders gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mason trying to keep a closed guard but Saunders is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mason is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Saunders is aware though and is defending well.
Mason keeping moving, preventing Saunders from controlling successfully.
Saunders is looking to advance position but Mason has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mason looking to secure an arm triangle but Saunders defends it well.

Mason moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Saunders has worked his arm free - good work by Saunders!

Mason goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Saunders rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mason's guard! Nice work there by Saunders!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Eron Saunders will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jason Mason's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Saunders tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mason connects with a jab.
Mason's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Saunders connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mason scrambles back to his feet.
Saunders throws a looping overhand right but Mason ducks down to avoid it.

Mason shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Saunders tries to get to full guard but Mason has control of the leg.

Mason is working for a kimura but Saunders is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Saunders's thigh. Saunders counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason passes Saunders's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Saunders has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mason is working away from the top position though.
Mason is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Saunders reverses the position - he's now on top in Mason's guard.
Saunders stays in close to Mason's body and controls the position.

Saunders stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Saunders throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saunders throws out a loose jab but Mason uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saunders has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Saunders has Mason up against the cage in a clinch.
Mason blocks a body shot from Saunders.
A short uppercut from Mason.
Saunders misses with a punch on the inside.
Mason throws a punch but it's blocked by Saunders.
Saunders misses with some punches.
Saunders misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saunders tries to work over Mason's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saunders is trying to force a seperation but Mason has the dominant position.
A short left from Saunders.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mason working aggressively here.
Saunders lands a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mason.
Saunders lands an elbow inside.
Mason lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands with a short shot to the head.
Saunders throws an elbow that misses.
Mason lands a left hand.
Saunders blocks an uppercut.
Mason lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mason misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saunders.
Mason tries to work over Saunders's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Saunders.
Saunders lands a nice elbow.

Jason Mason's cut is getting worse.
Saunders throws an elbow but it misses.
Saunders blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Saunders fails to land.
Mason doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mason throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Mason fails to land.
Mason pushes Saunders back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mason lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mason blocks an elbow strike from Saunders.
Mason misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saunders breaks the clinch.
Mason looks to score with a jab to the body but Saunders is just out of range.
Mason just misses with a punch to the body.
Saunders has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Saunders there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mason fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Eron Saunders is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mason throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saunders takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Saunders rushes Mason and presses him up against the cage.
Saunders misses with a punch to the body.
Mason misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mason swings wildly with an uppercut but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mason tries to work over Saunders's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mason takes a shot to the head.
Mason gets through Saunders's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mason throws a head punch that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Saunders just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mason's brow.
A short right from Saunders on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jason Mason will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jason Mason's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Nice uppercut there from Mason.
Saunders takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mason throws out a loose jab but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Eron Saunders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mason shoots for a takedown but Saunders saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mason.
We've been told by Mason's head coaches at Mentor Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Saunders bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Saunders missing with a left hand there. Mason was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saunders lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Saunders moves into the clinch.
Mason lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Mason swings wildly with an uppercut but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice elbow from Saunders.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mason tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mason's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Saunders scores with a shot to the side of Mason's head.
Mason swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saunders working aggressively here.
Mason misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders misses with an elbow over the top.
Saunders lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mason backwards.

Saunders breaks from the clinch.
Saunders on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mason pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saunders throws a shot from downtown. Mason moves away and avoids it.
Saunders moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Saunders gets a clinch.

Saunders breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Saunders clinches.
Mason is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mason lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saunders misses with a punch on the inside.
Mason lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mason misses with the head strike.
Mason swings wildly with an uppercut but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saunders misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders pushes Mason back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Jason Mason's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saunders.
Mason misses with some punches.
Eron Saunders seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Saunders blocking some punches.
Saunders scores with a hook to the body.
Saunders pushes Mason back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saunders working aggressively here.
Saunders scores with a shoulder strike.
Saunders goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mason can't find room to land a body shot as Saunders controls the action.
Saunders gets through Mason's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saunders misses with an elbow over the top.
Saunders blocks a body shot from Mason.
Saunders misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saunders blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mason working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mason.
Saunders lands with a right to the head.
Saunders presses Mason against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Mason tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saunders's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mason misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mason blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mason blocks a body shot from Saunders.
Mason trying to stall but Saunders improves his position.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mason creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Saunders.
Mason's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Saunders is working Mason over against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Saunders.
Saunders working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mason misses with a body punch.
Saunders blocks an uppercut.
Mason fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saunders lands with a light punch inside.
Saunders misses with a punch to the body.
Saunders works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mason misses with some punches.
Saunders lands an elbow just above Mason 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Mason blocks an elbow strike from Saunders.
Saunders scores with a hook to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Saunders.
Saunders prevents a body shot from Mason.
Saunders lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Jeez, Jason Mason's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mason.
Mason misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mason doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saunders doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mason tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saunders's elbow.
Mason trying to stall but Saunders improves his position.
Saunders blocks a body shot from Mason.
A head punch on the inside from Mason fails to land.

Saunders breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Saunders, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mason was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mason throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Saunders closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mason.
Saunders tries to throw a body punch but Mason avoids it by throwing Saunders back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eron Saunders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saunders has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eron Saunders!
Eron Saunders was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.