PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bobby LeBlanc (ranked 3868 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach Sanders (ranked 5324 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

LeBlanc
vs
Sanders

181 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bobby LeBlanc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zach Sanders!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Russell Pearce and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanders throws a head kick but LeBlanc moves out of range.
Zach Sanders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LeBlanc swats away the attempt to clinch by Sanders.
Sanders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
LeBlanc avoids the head kick by Sanders.
LeBlanc tries to counter with a takedown but Sanders is quick to defend against it.

Sanders pushes LeBlanc up against the cage in a clinch.
LeBlanc is trying to push Sanders away but Sanders has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sanders goes for a takedown in the clinch but LeBlanc prevents it.
LeBlanc has had enough of the clinch but Sanders keeps him there for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sanders has picked LeBlanc up - he's going for a ride! Sanders dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Sanders is working for a kimura but LeBlanc is defending it quite comfortably.
LeBlanc is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. LeBlanc defending well though.
Sanders throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sanders prevents LeBlanc from standing back up.
Sanders not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanders with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
LeBlanc is looking to escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sanders uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from LeBlanc.

That's two 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.
Sanders moves out of range of the strikes.
Sanders works over LeBlanc's head and body with a nice combination.
Sanders throws a leg kick
and LeBlanc counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
LeBlanc slips under a jab from Sanders.
LeBlanc checks a low kick from Sanders.

Sanders moves into the clinch successfully.
LeBlanc drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sanders gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Sanders has clasped his hands together around LeBlanc's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
LeBlanc wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throws an elbow but LeBlanc slips to the side and avoids it well.

LeBlanc explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Sanders looks to land a combination but LeBlanc avoids it well.
Sanders dives in and grabs LeBlanc's left leg, looking for a takedown. LeBlanc pushes down on Sanders's head and hops out.
Sanders misses with an attempted mid kick.
LeBlanc changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sanders takes a swing at LeBlanc's ribcage but misses.
Sanders looks winded!
Sanders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sanders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sanders moves away from the strike by LeBlanc.
Sanders throws a leg kick that is checked

and LeBlanc counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sanders!
LeBlanc works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanders takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
LeBlanc lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
LeBlanc scores with a couple of short elbows.
LeBlanc works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sanders is not content to let LeBlanc control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee asks LeBlanc politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. LeBlanc prefers to stall for the moment though.
LeBlanc in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sanders takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Sanders takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
LeBlanc takes a little break here. Sanders wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
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 Bobby LeBlanc will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sanders fails with a takedown attempt.
A low kick from Sanders misses

and LeBlanc counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sanders!
LeBlanc scores with punches from side control.
LeBlanc is putting a hurting on Sanders here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sanders is trying to get back to half guard.
Sanders takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sanders can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders is working to avoid the ground and pound but LeBlanc connects with a decent elbow.
Sanders really doesn't want to stay on the ground with LeBlanc. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
LeBlanc is staying tight to Sanders's torso, preventing him from escaping.
LeBlanc is looking to take a break and control but Sanders is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sanders is breathing heavily.
LeBlanc remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
LeBlanc lands a nice forearm strike.
LeBlanc lands a nice forearm strike.
LeBlanc landing a few strikes.
LeBlanc prevents Sanders from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc controlling from side mount.
Sanders is looking for a sweep.
Sanders is pushing LeBlanc's head away, looking to escape. LeBlanc manages to hold on to the position though.
LeBlanc cracks Sanders with a big right hand but Sanders just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
LeBlanc lands a few punches from side control.
LeBlanc is putting a hurting on Sanders here, landing some big shots from side control.
LeBlanc landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sanders takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
LeBlanc 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.
LeBlanc working the head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders is working to avoid the ground and pound but LeBlanc connects with a decent elbow.
LeBlanc works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Sanders takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
LeBlanc scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Sanders to see if he's OK.
LeBlanc lands a decent elbow from side control.
LeBlanc working the ground and pound.
LeBlanc controlling the position.
LeBlanc is working Sanders over with some ground and pound from side control.
LeBlanc wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sanders keeps working.
Sanders takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc working the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
LeBlanc tries to move to mount but Sanders blocks the move with his legs.
You can see the frustration on Sanders's face as LeBlanc controls the position.
Sanders is looking to get back to his feet here but LeBlanc is keeping cool and he's managed to take Sanders's back.
LeBlanc lands a shot to the head.
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!
Sanders grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
You can see the frustration on Sanders's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
LeBlanc is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sanders can do to turn this around?
A bit of a pause in the action here. LeBlanc controlling the positon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby LeBlanc dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Some wild striking there from LeBlanc.
Nice body punch from Sanders.
Sanders swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so LeBlanc counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
LeBlanc working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
LeBlanc is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sanders looking to hit a scissor sweep but LeBlanc is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LeBlanc trying to control but Sanders is working from the bottom.
LeBlanc controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sanders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBlanc sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sanders's guard.
LeBlanc takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
LeBlanc trying to control the action but Sanders is working from the bottom.
Bobby LeBlanc overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
LeBlanc looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
LeBlanc is trying to control. Sanders wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
LeBlanc is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
LeBlanc working Sanders over with strikes.
LeBlanc is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sanders on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
LeBlanc controlling the pace.
Sanders trying to control here.
LeBlanc slips a nice elbow through Sanders's hands, connecting with Sanders's forehead.
LeBlanc winds up and cracks Sanders with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. LeBlanc lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders is not content to let LeBlanc control the position.
LeBlanc is nestled in close to Sanders, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sanders is trying to maintain the position but LeBlanc is very close to passing his half guard.
LeBlanc looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. LeBlanc connects with a nice short shot to Sanders's temple.
Sanders taking some punishment here, with LeBlanc in his half guard.
Sanders is trying to defend against the ground and pound but LeBlanc scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sanders is looking for a sweep. LeBlanc is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sanders is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
LeBlanc not doing much here.
LeBlanc seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Sanders for as long as he can get away with.
LeBlanc has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice elbow there by LeBlanc.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobby LeBlanc showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for LeBlanc, 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:26
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobby LeBlanc!