PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pierce Hoolihan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Hoolihan
vs
Sanders

190 cm
21
158 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pierce Hoolihan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bill Sanders!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanders closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hoolihan circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Sanders. No joy for Hoolihan on that attempt.
Sanders circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hoolihan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanders stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hoolihan.
Sanders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hoolihan is looking to clinch but Sanders is avoiding it.
Sanders misses with a body kick.
Hoolihan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hoolihan lands with a cross.
Hoolihan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sanders pinned against the cage. Sanders gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sanders closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hoolihan circles away.
Pierce Hoolihan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bill Sanders.

Sanders looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hoolihan!
Sanders lands a big elbow.
Sanders with good strikes from the mount here!
Hoolihan tries to hold on but Sanders postures up.
Sanders dominating with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoolihan takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hoolihan keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Sanders.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sanders cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
A nice elbow there by Sanders.
Sanders with shots to the head and body - Hoolihan looks very uncomfortable down there.
Hoolihan taking shots to the head.

Hoolihan is rocked!
Hoolihan is breathing heavily.
Hoolihan taking shots to the head.
Oh Hoolihan is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sanders lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hoolihan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hoolihan seems to have got his legs back now.
Hoolihan squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders lands a big elbow.
Hoolihan is in a horrible position here. Sanders smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoolihan in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Hoolihan is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sanders is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sanders with shots to the head and body - Hoolihan looks very uncomfortable down there.
Sanders has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
BOOM! Sanders connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Sanders unloading with bombs!
Sanders working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hoolihan is squirming around, avoiding Sanders's attempts to control the action.
Sanders controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanders goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Hoolihan is on top in guard.
Hoolihan tries to stand but Sanders is controlling from the bottom.
Sanders looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hoolihan is one step ahead there.
Hoolihan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hoolihan wants to pass the guard but Sanders is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanders throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Hoolihan passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoolihan is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Sanders kicks off Hoolihan and gets to his feet.
Hoolihan closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoolihan lands a nice looking body kick.
Sanders has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sanders there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sanders throws a lazy body kick
and Hoolihan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Sanders clinches up against the cage.
Sanders scores a nice knee to the body.
Hoolihan takes a knee right on the jaw!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Sanders dominated that round.
That's time! Hoolihan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hoolihan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hoolihan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hoolihan is looking to slow Sanders down with leg kicks.
Sanders dodges the punch combination from Hoolihan.
Sanders misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sanders fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sanders is looking to clinch.
Hoolihan fails with a takedown attempt.

Sanders takes the fight into the clinch.
Sanders changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hoolihan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders with a poor takedown
and Hoolihan counters with a one-two to the body.
Pierce Hoolihan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bill Sanders.
Sanders showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hoolihan.
Hoolihan fails to land the takedown.
Hoolihan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hoolihan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoolihan can't keep his opponent in guard - Sanders advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sanders scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sanders content to control rather than advance.
Hoolihan is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sanders scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sanders seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hoolihan is not content to let Sanders control the position.
Hoolihan tries to kick Sanders off but Sanders keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hoolihan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sanders on the ground.
Hoolihan on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders working Hoolihan over with strikes.
Bill Sanders has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hoolihan is looking to get back to is feet but Sanders passes into side control.
Sanders cracks Hoolihan with a big elbow.

Sanders stands up and beckons Hoolihan to his feet.

Sanders gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sanders holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sanders.
Hoolihan wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanders won't allow it.
Sanders is leaning against Hoolihan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sanders lands a nice knee to the body.
Sanders landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hoolihan jumps guard but Sanders stands there with Hoolihan around his waist. Hoolihan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hoolihan tries a body shot but Sanders blocks it.

Sanders breaks from the clinch.
Hoolihan wants to clinch but Sanders slips to the side

and Sanders counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sanders trying to control but Hoolihan is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders chips away with some ground and pound.
Sanders is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hoolihan keeping moving, preventing Sanders from controlling successfully.

Sanders decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hoolihan, up you get!

Sanders has taken the fight to the clinch.

Sanders has picked Hoolihan up - he's going for a ride! Sanders dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Sanders is taking a breather. Hoolihan says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sanders is trying to control the action in half guard but Hoolihan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Sanders decides to stand up.

Sanders darts in and clinches Hoolihan up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanders breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sanders scoring well with a low kick there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sanders.
Sanders scores with a nice body kick.
Hoolihan darts in trying to clinch

and Sanders counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sanders.
Sanders scores a nice knee to the body.

Sanders gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanders scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Hoolihan has one foot on Sanders's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Hoolihan moves out of range as Sanders throws a body kick.
Hoolihan throws a series of strikes that have Sanders backpedaling.
Hoolihan lands a two punch combo.
Hoolihan throws a nice looking combination but Sanders bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hoolihan is looking to clinch but Sanders is avoiding it.

Sanders clinches.
Hoolihan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sanders gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hoolihan missing with knees to the body.
Hoolihan prevents a takedown attempt there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Sanders showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Sanders throws a series of punches but Hoolihan avoids them all with ease.
Sanders throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hoolihan's waist but Hoolihan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sanders off to one side.
Hoolihan looks to land a combination. Sanders sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Sanders fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hoolihan, pushing him back against the cage.
Sanders scores a nice knee to the body.
Sanders prevents Hoolihan from breaking the clinch.
Sanders misses with a knee to the head.
Hoolihan wants to break free but Sanders has control.

Sanders manages to pull guard.
Hoolihan postures up.
Sanders looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sanders preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hoolihan trying to control but Sanders is working from the bottom.
Hoolihan stops Sanders from standing up.
Hoolihan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanders throws a couple of heel strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanders working for a triangle but Hoolihan defends it easily.

Sanders manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Sanders drives through and clinches with Hoolihan against the cage.
Sanders has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hoolihan can't get the takedown.
Hoolihan tries to pull guard but Sanders won't allow it.
Sanders goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hoolihan prevents it.
Sanders stops a takedown attempt from Hoolihan.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pierce Hoolihan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sanders tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sanders prevents Hoolihan from breaking the clinch.
Hoolihan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanders has him pressed against the cage.
Hoolihan tries to pull guard but Sanders won't allow it.
Sanders prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sanders takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hoolihan is trying to break free.
Hoolihan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Sanders breaks from the clinch.
Hoolihan closes the distance looking to clinch

and Sanders counters by moving into the clinch.
Sanders landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sanders looking for a takedown.

Sanders escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hoolihan swats away the attempt to clinch by Sanders.

Hoolihan drives through and clinches with Sanders against the cage.
Hoolihan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sanders pulls his leg out and moves away.

Sanders has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hoolihan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sanders smiles and moves away.
Hoolihan tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sanders counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanders moves into the clinch successfully.
Sanders keeps control of Hoolihan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Sanders pulls guard successfully.
Sanders managing to control the position.

Hoolihan gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hoolihan lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sanders tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hoolihan swivels and escapes.
A low kick from Hoolihan misses

and Sanders counters by moving into the clinch.
Hoolihan lands a body shot.

Sanders successfully pulls guard.

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

Sanders is looking for a triangle but Hoolihan pushes his legs off easily.
Hoolihan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sanders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pierce Hoolihan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan is trying to escape back to his feet but Sanders uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Sanders trying to control the position but Hoolihan is working away.
Hoolihan is pushing Sanders's head away, looking to escape. Sanders manages to hold on to the position though.
Hoolihan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hoolihan sneaks back into half guard.
Sanders looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Hoolihan actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bill Sanders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sanders winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Sanders!