PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jhon Flitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Sampson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Flitch
vs
Sampson

200 cm
25
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jhon Flitch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matt Sampson!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Donatello Bradman and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Flitch swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sampson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Matt Sampson has been cut.
Flitch shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sampson pinned against the cage. Sampson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sampson throws a series of punches but Flitch moves out of range.
Sampson throws a sloppy head kick and Flitch moves out of range easily.
Sampson throws a shot to the body.
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch but Flitch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Flitch fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Flitch tries to clinch up.
Flitch avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sampson moves into the clinch.
Sampson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Flitch lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sampson.
Sampson can't break the clinch.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sampson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Flitch on the side of the head.
A punch combination from Flitch misses.
Sampson looks to land a combination but Flitch avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flitch throws a series of punches but Sampson avoids them all with ease.
Flitch looks to land a combination. Sampson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Flitch falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sampson counters with a straight right hand.
Sampson fails in his attempt to clinch.

Flitch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Flitch is breathing heavily.
Flitch is looking to take a break and control but Sampson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sampson is looking for a sweep.

Flitch is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sampson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flitch controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson is looking for a sweep.
Flitch really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Flitch decides to stand back up. Flitch steps back and let's Sampson get back to his feet.
Flitch keeps the fight on the outside.

Sampson clinches up against the cage.
Sampson trying to land knees to the body.
Flitch avoids a wild elbow strike from Sampson.
Sampson missing with knees to the body.
Sampson lands an elbow inside.
Sampson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson throws an elbow that misses.
Flitch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sampson's efforts to push away.
Flitch blocks an elbow strike from Sampson.

Sampson breaks the clinch.

Flitch clinches up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sampson throws an elbow but misses.
Sampson throws an elbow but it misses.
Sampson lands a nice elbow.
Sampson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sampson stalling in the clinch but Flitch improves position.
Flitch is trying to break the clinch but Sampson is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Flitch tries to clinch but Sampson moves out of range.
Sampson thuds his shin into the meat of Flitch's side.

Flitch has managed to clinch.

Flitch breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Flitch with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jhon Flitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flitch circles away from the clinch attempt.
Flitch is looking to clinch.
Flitch tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sampson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch but Flitch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sampson wants to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Flitch keeps the fight on the outside.
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!
A combination from Sampson does no damage.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sampson enables Flitch to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sampson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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 Jhon Flitch will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matt Sampson's cut.
That's time! Flitch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A combination from Flitch does no damage.
Horrible takedown by Flitch or perhaps it was just good defense by Sampson which made him look bad.
Flitch blocks a head kick by Sampson.
Flitch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Flitch shoots in but no luck this time.

Sampson closes the distance and pushes Flitch back into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Sampson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sampson working hard to break the clinch.
Flitch takes an elbow to the temple.
Sampson working hard to break the clinch.
Sampson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Sampson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Flitch closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Flitch shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sampson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jhon Flitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sampson throws a head kick but Flitch moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sampson pushes Flitch up against the cage in a clinch.

Sampson breaks from the clinch.
Jhon Flitch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sampson moves into the clinch.
Sampson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Sampson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Flitch swinging wildly here.
Flitch is looking to clinch.
Flitch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sampson sprawls well. Sampson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Flitch gets slowly back to his feet.
Sampson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Sampson moves into the clinch.
Sampson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Flitch blocks an elbow strike from Sampson.
Sampson is trying to break the clinch but Flitch is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Flitch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Flitch trying to control the position but Sampson is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sampson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sampson tries to buck Flitch off but Flitch is having none of it.
Sampson wants to get back to his feet but Flitch drags him back down.

Flitch has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Sampson gets tackled into the cage by Flitch. Flitch maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sampson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sampson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Flitch is defending well for now.
Sampson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Sampson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sampson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sampson wants to clinch up but Flitch keeps it at a distance.
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Flitch paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sampson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Flitch.
Flitch lands a jab-cross combination.
Sampson throws a head kick that misses.
Flitch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sampson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sampson slaps away a takedown attempt from Flitch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jhon Flitch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sampson takes the fight into the clinch.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sampson wants to clinch.
Jhon Flitch is winning the standup battle so far.
Sampson tries to clinch but Flitch moves out of range.

Flitch gets tackled into the cage by Sampson. Sampson maintains the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Flitch prevents Sampson from breaking the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Flitch's face as he tries to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Flitch avoids the elbow strike from Sampson, against the cage.
Flitch blocks the elbow strike.
Sampson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sampson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Sampson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Flitch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Flitch throws a one two combo.
Flitch throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sampson connects with a high kick.
Sampson tries to clinch up.
Sampson throws a sloppy head kick and Flitch moves out of range easily.
A combination from Flitch does no damage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sampson misses with a double jab.
Sampson keeps the fight on the outside.

Flitch tries to keep at a distance but Sampson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sampson breaks from the clinch.
Flitch slips a jab and a cross from Sampson.
Sampson is looking to clinch.
Flitch tries to clinch up.
Flitch shoots in but Sampson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flitch is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sampson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Flitch tries to keep at a distance but Sampson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sampson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sampson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sampson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch but Flitch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sampson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Flitch paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Flitch changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sampson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sampson is trying to improve his position.
Sampson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Flitch. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Flitch tries for a kimura but Sampson is defending well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson throws a big right hand that misses.
Sampson trying to control but Flitch is working from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Flitch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Flitch has a closed guard, preventing Sampson from standing up.
Flitch is trying to control the position but Sampson postures up.
Sampson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Flitch is really struggling to control Sampson but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jhon Flitch.
Flitch misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sampson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Sampson closes the distance and pushes Flitch back into the cage.

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

Sampson closes the distance and clinches.

Sampson manages to break the clinch.

Sampson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Sampson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sampson tries to clinch there but Flitch circles away.
Flitch misses with a takedown attempt
and Sampson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jhon Flitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch but Flitch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson tries to clinch but Flitch is having none of it.
Sampson tries to clinch but Flitch moves out of range.
Sampson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sampson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sampson swats away the attempt to clinch by Flitch.
Flitch misses with a double jab

and Sampson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flitch blocks an elbow strike.
Sampson lands a knee to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Sampson's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Sampson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sampson connects with a leg kick. Flitch looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Flitch shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sampson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Flitch sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sampson's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matt Sampson.
I think Sampson 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Sampson!
A relieved looking Matt Sampson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.