PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wolfgang Von Wild (ranked 853 p4p, 2520 weight class) and Steve Sherk (ranked 75 p4p, 216 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Von Wild
vs
Sherk

179 cm
23
154
11 - 1 - 0

179 cm
23
158
3 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wolfgang Von Wild!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Sherk!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sherk takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Von Wild throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sherk counters with a shoot takedown. Von Wild fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Sherk wants to pass the guard but Von Wild is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Von Wild looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sherk trying to control but Von Wild is working from the bottom.

Von Wild looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
My spies in The Jungle Room inform me that Sherk has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sherk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Von Wild swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sherk trying to control but Von Wild is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Von Wild escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sherk gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sherk trying to control but Von Wild is working from the bottom.

Von Wild working for a triangle but Sherk defends it easily.

Von Wild working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sherk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sherk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Sherk got a little sloppy there for a moment and Von Wild has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sherk has managed to get both his arms back between Von Wild's legs - danger averted.

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.
Von Wild looking to control but Sherk passes into half guard.
Von Wild tries to get to full guard but Sherk has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sherk trying to mount his opponent but Von Wild defends it.
We've been hearing good reports from Von Wild's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sherk prevents Von Wild from improving his position.
Von Wild is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherk trying to pass the guard but Von Wild defending well.
Sherk thows a huge punch but Von Wild dodges it nicely.
Sherk trying to control from half guard but Von Wild is working away.
Sherk wants to pass to mount but Von Wild is defending the position.
Von Wild has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sherk is working away from the top position though.

Von Wild looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Von Wild tries to get to full guard but Sherk has control of the leg.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Von Wild throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Von Wild displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sherk throws out the jab.
Sherk on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Von Wild comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sherk lands a lovely overhand right.
Von Wild keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sherk misses with a right hand
and Von Wild counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A swing and a miss from Sherk.
Von Wild lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sherk circles away quickly and effectively.
Von Wild misses the shot to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sherk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Von Wild throws out the jab.
And Sherk tries to counter it with a takedown but Von Wild pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Von Wild scores with a decent looking hook.
Sherk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Wolfgang Von Wild will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Von Wild takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Von Wild keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sherk.
Von Wild tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sherk was well out of range. Poor timing from Von Wild.
Von Wild scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sherk doesn't seem bothered though.
Von Wild just misses with a punch to the body.
Sherk feints the counter takedown.
Von Wild stuffs the takedown attempt from Sherk. Sherk gets slowly back to his feet.

Sherk fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Von Wild to the ground. Sherk is now in Von Wild's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sherk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sherk forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Wild is not content to let Sherk control the position.
Sherk looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Von Wild looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Von Wild is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sherk throwing shots but Von Wild is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Von Wild wants to get back to full guard.
Von Wild is looking to control Sherk's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Von Wild avoid being mounted?
Sherk is keen to just control but Von Wild is a slippery customer.
Von Wild has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sherk is working away from the top position though.
Von Wild tries to roll over but Sherk keeps him under control.
Sherk trying to control from half guard but Von Wild is working away.
Steve Sherk has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sherk tries to pass the half guard into mount. Von Wild knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Von Wild looking for submissions off his back.
Von Wild trying to control here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Von Wild throws a shot from downtown. Sherk moves away and avoids it.
It seemed like Sherk was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Good exchange - Von Wild coming out on top.
Von Wild misses with an uppercut.
Von Wild throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sherk dodges the punch combination from Von Wild.
Von Wild throws a good cross that connects.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sherk moves out of range as Von Wild strikes.
A little jabbing left from Sherk on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Von Wild misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sherk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Von Wild staying out of range there.
Wolfgang Von Wild seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sherk moves out of range as Von Wild strikes.
Von Wild works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The fighters circling - Von Wild throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sherk misses with a lunging right hand
and Von Wild counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sherk staying out of range there.
Von Wild throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sherk misses with a straight left.
Von Wild throws a body shot but no joy.
Von Wild looks to land a combination but Sherk avoids it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wolfgang Von Wild dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sherk dodges the punch combination from Von Wild.
Nice cross by Von Wild.
Sherk steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Von Wild.
A little jabbing left from Sherk on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Von Wild just misses with a punch to the body.
Sherk defending well as Von Wild loads up on a big left hand.
And Sherk tries to counter it with a takedown but Von Wild pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sherk ducks under a wild hook from Von Wild.
Von Wild swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sherk counters with a takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Wild is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Sherk is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Von Wild is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherk controlling the position easily from mount.
Sherk tries to control but Von Wild wriggling away.
Sherk might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Von Wild haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sherk seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Von Wild is holding on tight.
Sherk moves to his opponent's back but Von Wild bucks him off and ends up in guard. A bit of a disaster there for Sherk.
Von Wild stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sherk swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sherk looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Von Wild passes into side control.
Sherk is letting Von Wild control him for a moment.
Sherk wants to control but Von Wild postures up.
A lull in the action here.
Sherk wants to control but Von Wild postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherk gets back to half guard.
Von Wild content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Von Wild is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sherk wants to improve his position but Von Wild is controlling well.

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.
Von Wild trying to pass the guard but Sherk defending well.
Von Wild stalling.
Von Wild seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sherk does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Wolfgang Von Wild is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Sherk looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Von Wild controlling the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Von Wild throws a shot from downtown. Sherk moves away and avoids it.
Steve Sherk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Von Wild throws a hook to the side of Sherk's head but Sherk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

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 Wolfgang Von Wild.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Von Wild, 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wolfgang Von Wild!
A very excited looking Wolfgang Von Wild rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.