PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ben Sanderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Mariucci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sanderson
vs
Mariucci

187 cm
24
201 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

180 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Sanderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Mariucci!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanderson feints and as Mariucci raises his hands in defense, Sanderson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mariucci throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Sanderson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

Sanderson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sanderson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Mariucci looking for a guillotine here but Sanderson defends easily.

Mariucci is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sanderson drops back looking for a leg! Mariucci is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mariucci manages to kick Sanderson off! Sanderson jumps back into Mariucci's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sanderson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mariucci dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariucci throwing strikes from guard but Sanderson blocks nicely.

Sanderson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mariucci gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mariucci stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sanderson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mariucci is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sanderson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Mariucci's back instead.
Mariucci trying to control the hands but Sanderson won't let him.

That's two 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.
Mariucci looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Sanderson doesn't have the hooks in and Mariucci manages to turn into his guard.

Sanderson working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Mariucci has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Sanderson doesn't have the hooks in and Mariucci manages to turn into his guard.

Sanderson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mariucci can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sanderson working for a triangle but Mariucci defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mariucci missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mariucci would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Mariucci has gone for a leg lock! Sanderson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mariucci's guard.

Mariucci is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Mariucci is looking for a triangle but Sanderson pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mariucci throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sanderson escapes and throws Mariucci's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Mariucci is looking for a sweep.

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

Sanderson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mariucci doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mariucci manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mariucci has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sanderson is proving hard to escape from.
Mariucci must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sanderson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
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 Ben Sanderson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mariucci misses with a looping left.
Mariucci tries to clinch there but Sanderson circles away.
Mariucci keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanderson keeps the fight on the outside.
A jab from Mariucci misses.
Mariucci misses with a takedown attempt

and Sanderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sanderson.

Sanderson pulls guard.
Mariucci throwing strikes but missing.

Sanderson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mariucci gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mariucci passes Sanderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Mariucci is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sanderson defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariucci not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Sanderson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sanderson actively working from the bottom here.

Mariucci seems to be looking for submissions.

Sanderson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mariucci is looking to take a break and control but Sanderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two 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.

Mariucci is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sanderson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mariucci.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mariucci misses with a hook. Sanderson ducked under it nicely.
Mariucci looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanderson is just out of range.
Mariucci looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanderson is just out of range.
Mariucci fails with the takedown

and Sanderson counters by moving into the clinch.
Sanderson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sanderson tries to stall but Mariucci uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sanderson effectively controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mariucci is trying to break free.
Mariucci wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mariucci is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Mariucci is trying to break the clinch but Sanderson has him pressed against the cage.
Sanderson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sanderson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short left from Mariucci.
Sanderson is stalling here.
Sanderson seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Mariucci tries to break the clinch but Sanderson is controlling the position.
Mariucci wants to break free but Sanderson has control.
Mariucci wants to break free but Sanderson has control.
Mariucci working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sanderson is stalling here.
Mariucci can't break the clinch.
Sanderson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mariucci just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mariucci escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mariucci clinches but Sanderson breaks the clinch
enabling Sanderson to counter with a crisp jab.
Sanderson waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Mariucci.
Mariucci misses with a jab to the body

and Sanderson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sanderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mariucci swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mariucci is trying to control the position but Sanderson postures up.
Mariucci keeping full guard, as Sanderson tries to pass.
Mariucci doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Mariucci looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mariucci is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Sanderson dominated that second round.
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!

Mariucci darts in trying to clinch
and Sanderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Sanderson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mariucci wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanderson won't allow it.
Mariucci is looking to break free of the clinch but Sanderson has double underhooks.
Mariucci tries to stall but Sanderson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Mariucci breaks the clinch.
Nice shot by Mariucci.
Mariucci swings for the body but Sanderson moves out of range.
Sanderson tries to clinch but Mariucci moves out of range.
Michael Mariucci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mariucci throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sanderson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mariucci closes the distance looking to clinch

and Sanderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sanderson has Mariucci pressed against the cage.
Mariucci can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanderson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sanderson.
A hook to the body from Sanderson.
Sanderson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mariucci scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sanderson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sanderson can't get the takedown.
Mariucci can't break the clinch.
Mariucci tries to work over Sanderson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Mariucci fails to land.
Mariucci wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanderson has him pressed against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sanderson tries to pull guard but Mariucci won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Sanderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanderson blocking some punches.
Mariucci is looking to break free of the clinch but Sanderson has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mariucci is trying to break free.
Sanderson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mariucci misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sanderson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mariucci just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sanderson tries to pull guard but Mariucci holds him up against the cage and eventually Sanderson drops back down to his feet.
Sanderson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mariucci just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sanderson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mariucci walks away with a smile on his face. Sanderson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mariucci waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Sanderson.
Mariucci clinches but Sanderson breaks the clinch

and Sanderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mariucci wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanderson has him pressed against the cage.
Mariucci wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanderson won't allow it.
Mariucci is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Mariucci tries to break the clinch but Sanderson is controlling the position.
Sanderson is struggling to control the position.
Mariucci is trying to break free.
Mariucci wants to break free but Sanderson has control.
Sanderson keeps control of Mariucci as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sanderson keeps control of Mariucci as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Michael Mariucci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanderson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mariucci smiles and moves away.
Mariucci wants to clinch but Sanderson slips to the side

and Sanderson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sanderson.
Mariucci manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sanderson is working to get back to half guard.

Mariucci is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sanderson is surviving well by controlling Mariucci's body position as best he can.

Mariucci goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Sanderson turns into him and now he's in Mariucci's guard.
Sanderson looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanderson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mariucci dives on top into guard.
Mariucci stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mariucci pushing down on Sanderson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Sanderson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mariucci sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sanderson defending well though.
Mariucci not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ben Sanderson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanderson, 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Sanderson!