PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Strauss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cyrus Sawyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strauss's entrance music is Shutterbugg - Big Boi Feat. Cutty. A fine choice. Sawyer has chosen MegaDeth- This Day We FIGHT! as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Strauss
vs
Sawyer

162 cm
31
142 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

178 cm
27
142 lbs
14 - 10 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Daniel Strauss!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Cyrus Sawyer!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Joseph Jones and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sawyer misses with a low kick as Strauss jumps back.
Nice defenses there by Sawyer.
Strauss misses with a left hand

and Sawyer counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sawyer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Strauss lands a hook that snaps the head of Sawyer backwards.
Sawyer is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Strauss misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sawyer is looking to take this one to the mat.
Strauss pushes Sawyer back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Strauss tries to work over Sawyer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Strauss lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sawyer backwards.
Strauss lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sawyer backwards.
Strauss digs a right hand underneath Sawyer's ribcage. Sawyer let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sawyer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sawyer using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Strauss has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sawyer misses with a knee to the head.
Sawyer misses with a body punch.
Strauss lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sawyer tries to throw a body punch but Strauss avoids it by throwing Sawyer back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sawyer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer goes for a takedown in the clinch but Strauss prevents it.
Daniel Strauss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cyrus Sawyer.
Strauss lands with a light punch inside.
Sawyer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Strauss pushes Sawyer back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Strauss tries a body shot but Sawyer blocks it.
Strauss doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sawyer throws a punch but it's blocked by Strauss.
Sawyer connects with a nasty looking knee right to Strauss's face.

It looks like Daniel Strauss has been cut.
Strauss lands a nice uppercut.

Sawyer manages to break the clinch.
Sawyer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Strauss counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Sawyer is rocked!
Sawyer digs a good body shot into Strauss's ribs.
Sawyer throws a hook but Strauss avoids it easily.
Strauss avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sawyer ducks under a wild hook from Strauss.
Nice takedown defense from Strauss. No joy for Sawyer on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sawyer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sawyer has had enough of the clinch but Strauss keeps him there for the moment.
Sawyer blocking some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Strauss.

Sawyer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sawyer moves away from the strike by Strauss.
Daniel Strauss is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Strauss closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Strauss misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sawyer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Strauss lands a shoulder strike.

Sawyer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Strauss would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Strauss might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sawyer is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Daniel Strauss wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sawyer scores with a jab to the body.
Strauss thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sawyer thumps Strauss with a low kick.
Sawyer tries a head kick but it misses.
Sawyer moves to clinch but Strauss breaks away
and Strauss counters with a nice uppercut.

Sawyer closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Strauss did well to prevent Sawyer getting side control.
Strauss pushes Sawyer off looking to stand but Sawyer dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sawyer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sawyer wants to work for an arm triangle but Strauss is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sawyer is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sawyer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Strauss is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Daniel Strauss will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Daniel Strauss's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sawyer throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sawyer misses with a low kick.

Sawyer gets a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sawyer.
Strauss tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sawyer.
Strauss blocking some punches.
Strauss scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sawyer tries a knee to the head but Strauss blocks it.
Sawyer wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sawyer connects with a knee to the head.
Strauss working aggressively here.
Sawyer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Strauss misses with a hook from the clinch.

Sawyer jumps guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer trying to control the position.
Sawyer is controlling Strauss's posture.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Sawyer shoots in and gets a takedown into Strauss's guard.
Strauss keeping full guard, as Sawyer tries to pass.
Strauss on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Strauss tries to get out of the position.
Sawyer won't allow Strauss to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strauss is keeping the position for now.
Sawyer trying to control but Strauss is working from the bottom.
Sawyer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Strauss avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Strauss wants to stand but Sawyer is controlling the position.
Sawyer stays in close to Strauss's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strauss utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sawyer connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Strauss gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Strauss throws a jab when Sawyer was well out of range.
Strauss rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sawyer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Strauss moves out of range of the strikes.

Strauss has Sawyer up against the cage in a clinch.

Sawyer breaks from the clinch.
Sawyer takes a swing at Strauss's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strauss rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sawyer counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Strauss clobbers Sawyer with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sawyer takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sawyer looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strauss lands a really nice looking cross but Sawyer seems unphased.
Strauss misses with a low kick.
Sawyer displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sawyer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sawyer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Strauss.
Sawyer throws a head kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A slow jab from Strauss misses its intended target.
Strauss misses with a hook. Sawyer ducked under it nicely.
Sawyer misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cyrus Sawyer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Daniel Strauss's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice body kick there by Sawyer.
Nice defenses there by Sawyer.
Sawyer blocks a jab.

Sawyer moves into range and clinches up with Strauss.
Sawyer tries to land knees in the clinch but Strauss avoids the damage to the body.
Sawyer is trying to force a seperation but Strauss has the dominant position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Strauss.

Sawyer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strauss throws a hook but Sawyer blocks it.
Strauss blocks a head kick by Sawyer.
Cyrus Sawyer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sawyer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Strauss's waist but Strauss gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sawyer off to one side.
Sawyer scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sawyer is looking to clinch but Strauss is avoiding it.
Sawyer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer lands a body shot.
Sawyer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Strauss.

Strauss pushes Sawyer up against the cage in a clinch.
Sawyer blocking some punches.

Sawyer has hold of one of Strauss's legs. Strauss is fighting the takedown attempt but Sawyer gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sawyer's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sawyer wants to control from the top but Strauss keeps moving.
Strauss avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Strauss is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sawyer trying to control the position from guard on top but Strauss is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strauss is keeping the position for now.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cyrus Sawyer wasn't active enough on the ground.
Strauss walks into a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strauss misses with a straight right.
Sawyer cracks Strauss with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Strauss lands a lovely overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer clinches with his opponent.
Strauss works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Cyrus Sawyer seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Strauss swings wildly with an uppercut but Sawyer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sawyer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Strauss gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Strauss pushes Sawyer back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Strauss.
Strauss lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Strauss keeps control of Sawyer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Strauss pushes Sawyer back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sawyer is trying to push Strauss away but Strauss has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Strauss lands with a right to the head.
Sawyer misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Strauss fails to land.
Sawyer stalling in the clinch but Strauss improves position.
Strauss swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strauss throws a head punch that misses.
Strauss struggles to land a body shot inside as Sawyer controls his hands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Strauss.
Sawyer presses Strauss against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Sawyer manages to break the clinch.
Strauss takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sawyer lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Strauss has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Strauss and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sawyer misses with a looping left.

Sawyer moves into the clinch.
Sawyer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Strauss throws an elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sawyer.
Sawyer is trying to break free.
Strauss doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cyrus Sawyer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sawyer 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cyrus Sawyer!
After the fight, Cyrus Sawyer was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.