PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ezequiel Wilcox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Sao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ezequiel Wilcox has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Wilcox
vs
Sao

183 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

155 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ezequiel Wilcox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kenji Sao!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Steve Erwin and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sao misses with a looping right.
Sao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wilcox displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sao throws out the jab.
Sao looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Sao throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Wilcox was covering up waiting for the punch and Sao finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Wilcox is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Sao pulls Wilcox into guard.
Sao pulls Wilcox in close to his closed guard and prevents Wilcox from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sao striking off his back but it's not causing Wilcox any problems.
Wilcox trying to control but Sao is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sao working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wilcox.
Sao working a defensive guard but Wilcox manages to pass into side control anyway.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sao can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sao is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Wilcox landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sao is not content to let Wilcox control the position.
Sao tries to bench press Wilcox off him but Wilcox keeps the position.
Sao keeps trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Wilcox.
Wilcox landing strikes.

Wilcox stands up and beckons Sao to his feet.
Sao should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Sao has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sao prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sao leaning against his opponent.
The referee calls for Sao to work.
Wilcox is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sao pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sao pushes off an throws an elbow but Wilcox leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Wilcox tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sao just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezequiel Wilcox. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sao has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Wilcox regains guard immediately.
Sao wants to stand but Wilcox has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sao looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sao looking to sit in guard and control but Wilcox gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sao is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sao has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Golden Child Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Wilcox got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sao has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wilcox has managed to get both his arms back between Sao's legs - danger averted.
Wilcox throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sao working a defensive guard here.
Sao might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Wilcox haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sao trying to control the position here.
Wilcox content to stall in guard here.
Sao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sao looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wilcox lands a couple of decent looking shots.
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 Ezequiel Wilcox will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sao misses with a takedown attempt
and Wilcox counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Wilcox shoots in but no luck this time.

Sao forces Wilcox back against the cage and clinches.
Sao wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wilcox stops a takedown attempt from Sao.
Wilcox really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Sao is trying to break free.
Wilcox fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sao tries to break the clinch but Wilcox is controlling the position.
Wilcox is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sao is keeping busy.
Wilcox keeps control of Sao as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sao tries to pull guard but Wilcox forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ezequiel Wilcox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenji Sao.
Sao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wilcox just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sao misses with the head strike.
Wilcox doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wilcox is trying to pull guard but Sao turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sao tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Wilcox avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sao manages to break the clinch.
Sao moves out of range as Wilcox throws a body kick.

Sao has closed the distance and engaged Wilcox in a clinch.
Sao wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sao wants a takedown.
Sao wants to break free but Wilcox has control.
Wilcox can't break the clinch.
Sao gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wilcox.
Wilcox softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sao tries to pull guard but Wilcox forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Wilcox misses with the head strike.
Wilcox has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sao avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sao tries to break the clinch but Wilcox is controlling the position.
Wilcox stalling against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sao jumps guard and drags Wilcox to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sao trying to control the position.
Wilcox won't allow Sao to get back to his feet.
Wilcox engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Sao manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Sao dives in and scores a takedown into Wilcox's guard.
Sao really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wilcox. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wilcox manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sao manages to get himself to full guard.

Sao is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wilcox is aware though and is defending well.
Ezequiel Wilcox overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sao wants to sweep here but Wilcox controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sao trying to control the position.
Wilcox has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wilcox's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Wilcox will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Wilcox with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wilcox is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sao throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Wilcox postures up and lands a big shot to Sao's brow.
Wilcox trying to control the position from guard on top but Sao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sao seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sao trying to control the position.
Wilcox throws a big right hand that misses.
Sao is trying to keep Wilcox in close.
Sao is looking to stand up but Wilcox isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Sao closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Wilcox did well to prevent Sao getting side control.
Wilcox is refusing to be controlled, as Sao sits in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sao is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wilcox is just riding it out for now. Sao eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kenji Sao will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No joy there for Wilcox, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Sao shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Wilcox manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Sao keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Sao is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Wilcox to keep the fight standing.
Wilcox makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sao tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wilcox smiles and moves away.

Sao pushes Wilcox up against the cage in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Wilcox gets control of Sao's arms and successfully pulls guard. Wilcox will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Wilcox is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sao postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Wilcox is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sao, into his guard.

Sao looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wilcox is looking to work some ground and pound but Sao has wrist control.
Wilcox is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wilcox scoring with punches to the head and body.

Sao throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Sao has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wilcox can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wilcox cracks Sao with a solid left hand.
Wilcox makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wilcox postures up and lands a big shot to Sao's brow.
Wilcox with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sao trying to keep a closed guard but Wilcox is proving a slippery customer.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sao wants to stand up but Wilcox is controlling him.
Wilcox postures up and lands a big shot to Sao's brow.
Wilcox throwing strikes from guard but Sao blocks nicely.
Wilcox working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Wilcox stands up from Sao's guard - Wilcox perhaps looking for a knockout.
Wilcox misses with a body kick.
Wilcox misses with the body kick

and Sao counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sao.

Wilcox pushes Sao off and scrambles back to his feet.
Sao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Wilcox decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sao has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wilcox is working away from the top position though.
Sao throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Sao keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wilcox looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wilcox looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wilcox is thwarting Sao's attempts to control the position.
Wilcox seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sao has hold of Wilcox's hands but Wilcox slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Wilcox misses with a head shot. Sao uses the momentum to regain guard.
Sao wants to stand and escape but Wilcox is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ezequiel Wilcox showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wilcox has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kenji Sao!