PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Barnabus Sanitario (ranked 2153 p4p, 1433 weight class) and Kenny Blankenship (ranked 160 p4p, 105 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sanitario
vs
Blankenship

150 cm
20
135
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
19
130
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Dangerous GnP
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Advance Sport Supplements
Mythical Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Barnabus Sanitario!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenny Blankenship!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Mauricio Rocha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blankenship connects with a body shot that sends Sanitario's belly button to the back.

Blankenship tries to sprawl but Sanitario drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Blankenship wants to get back to full guard.
Blankenship is trying is best to control the position here.
Sanitario thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Blankenship's head.
Sanitario thows a huge punch but Blankenship dodges it nicely.
Sanitario not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanitario missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blankenship is looking for a sweep. Sanitario is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Blankenship is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sanitario scores with a couple of nice shots.
Blankenship is looking to control Sanitario's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Blankenship avoid being mounted?
Nice strikes from Sanitario there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanitario not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sanitario throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sanitario thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Blankenship's head.
Sanitario wants to take a breather but Blankenship is having none of it.
Blankenship is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sanitario's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sanitario's back!
Sanitario covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Sanitario can't escape the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Blankenship misses with a punch to the head.
Sanitario tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Blankenship looking to ground and pound but Sanitario is blocking nicely.
Blankenship misses with a head shot.
Blankenship looking to finish Sanitario with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sanitario!
Sanitario definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Blankenship lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sanitario hang on?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanitario taking shots to the head.
Blankenship has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Blankenship raining down hammerfists from mount.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Blankenship working his ground and pound in the gym.
Blankenship thowing shots but they're missing.
Blankenship lands a heavy elbow.
Blankenship thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blankenship looking to ground and pound but Sanitario is blocking nicely.
A nice elbow there by Blankenship.
Sanitario tries to lock up and control but Blankenship gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sanitario is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Blankenship throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Blankenship cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Blankenship misses with a head shot.
Blankenship throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship throwing strikes but Sanitario bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Blankenship is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sanitario postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sanitario chips away with some ground and pound.
Blankenship looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanitario is one step ahead there.
Sanitario postures up.
Blankenship tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blankenship working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanitario working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Blankenship's head.
Sanitario with a flurry of punches that miss.
Blankenship is trying to keep Sanitario in close.
Blankenship tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blankenship wants to hit a sweep here but Sanitario passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Blankenship there!
Blankenship really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Blankenship wants to hold on but Sanitario pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Barnabus Sanitario will probably get the nod.
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.

Blankenship scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sanitario avoids the body shot from Blankenship.
Sanitario jabs Blankenship right on the nose. Blankenship blinks but takes it well.
Sanitario shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Blankenship but Blankenship pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Blankenship stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Blankenship wants it to stay on the feet.
Blankenship displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sanitario.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Barnabus Sanitario. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sanitario drives through with a takedown into Blankenship's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Blankenship pulls Sanitario in close to prevent any damage.
Sanitario preventing the sweep.
Sanitario throws a big elbow that misses.
Sanitario being controlled here momentarily.
Blankenship trying to control the position.
Barnabus Sanitario overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sanitario scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Blankenship seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanitario accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Blankenship bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sanitario's guard.

Blankenship throws a strike but Sanitario rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sanitario might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sanitario won't allow Blankenship to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanitario in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sanitario loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanitario trying to control but Blankenship is working from the bottom.
Blankenship pulls Sanitario in close to his closed guard and prevents Sanitario from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sanitario loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanitario working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanitario postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Blankenship wants to sweep here but Sanitario controlling him for the moment.
Blankenship is trying to keep Sanitario in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanitario won't allow Blankenship to sweep him here.
Blankenship is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sanitario landing some decent shots from guard.
Sanitario throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanitario keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Blankenship's head.
Blankenship utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Blankenship working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanitario.
Blankenship wants to sweep here but Sanitario controlling him for the moment.
Sanitario working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanitario postures up in Blankenship's guard and throws a big left but Blankenship blocks it.
Sanitario postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sanitario throwing strikes from guard but Blankenship blocks nicely.
Blankenship looking for a sweep. Not yet Blankenship, not yet.
Sanitario in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sanitario postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanitario pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blankenship is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Blankenship is controlling Sanitario's posture.
Sanitario trying to control the position from guard on top but Blankenship is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barnabus Sanitario dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Blankenship has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Blankenship there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sanitario fails with a takedown attempt.
Sanitario misses with a takedown attempt - Blankenship sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Blankenship with a hook.

Sanitario drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sanitario postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blankenship working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanitario.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanitario loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanitario throws a big right hand that misses.
Blankenship is trying to control the position but Sanitario postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sanitario manages to get himself to full guard.

Blankenship throws an elbow that misses. Sanitario uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Blankenship's guard. Nice move by Sanitario!

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Blankenship is on top in guard.

Blankenship scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Blankenship distracts Sanitario with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Blankenship scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sanitario is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Blankenship with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanitario works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Blankenship throws a big right hand that misses.
Blankenship throwing strikes but missing.
Sanitario looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blankenship is one step ahead there.
Sanitario is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Blankenship throws a big elbow that misses.
Blankenship lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blankenship accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Blankenship throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blankenship instigates a clinch.
Sanitario drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Barnabus Sanitario. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanitario drops down looking for an ankle pick but Blankenship pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Blankenship ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanitario moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blankenship. Sanitario does a little dance to reset his feet.

Blankenship tries to sprawl but Sanitario drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Blankenship is looking for a sweep. Sanitario is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Blankenship keeping hold of Sanitario's head, controlling as best he can.
Blankenship avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanitario.
Sanitario throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sanitario thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Blankenship's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship is looking to get back to full guard here but Sanitario has managed to pass to side control instead.
Sanitario working away.
Sanitario working the strikes but Blankenship uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Blankenship tries to get to full guard but Sanitario has control of the leg.
Sanitario not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sanitario missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Blankenship is looking to control Sanitario's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Blankenship avoid being mounted?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanitario is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Blankenship gets full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Barnabus Sanitario did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Blankenship lands with a good body shot.

Sanitario looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Blankenship is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sanitario is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sanitario postures up.
Blankenship working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanitario.
Blankenship wants to sweep here but Sanitario controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanitario is in close to Blankenship's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sanitario throwing strikes from guard but Blankenship blocks nicely.
Blankenship tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanitario loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanitario throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sanitario's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sanitario is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blankenship can do to turn this around?
Sanitario trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Blankenship is trying to keep Sanitario in close.
Sanitario chips away with some ground and pound.
Blankenship avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Blankenship is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanitario works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Blankenship in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Blankenship throws a strike but Sanitario rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Blankenship trying to keep a closed guard but Sanitario is proving a slippery customer.
Blankenship preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Blankenship is adopting a defensive guard.
Blankenship controls Sanitario momentarily but Sanitario frees himself.
Sanitario works over Blankenship with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Blankenship pulls Sanitario in close to prevent any damage.
Sanitario postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sanitario's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sanitario throws an elbow that misses. Blankenship uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sanitario's guard. Nice move by Blankenship!

Blankenship landing some decent shots from guard.
Blankenship throws a big elbow that misses.
Blankenship throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Blankenship postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blankenship keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sanitario's head.
Blankenship postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Blankenship throws a big elbow that misses.
Sanitario avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sanitario goes for a double leg but Blankenship avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Blankenship continues to drive forward.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Blankenship working Sanitario over with knees to the body.
Blankenship using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Blankenship gets underhooks to prevent Sanitario's takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Blankenship goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Sanitario has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Blankenship clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blankenship tries to escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barnabus Sanitario had his way with Kenny Blankenship in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sanitario fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Blankenship takes a swing at Sanitario's ribcage but misses.
Sanitario drops down looking for a counter takedown but Blankenship sprawls and moves away.

Sanitario looking to score a takedown here. Blankenship is defending well but Sanitario drives through and ends up in Blankenship's guard.
Blankenship 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.
Blankenship managing to control the position.
Sanitario working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanitario postures up in Blankenship's guard and throws a big left but Blankenship blocks it.
Sanitario postures up in Blankenship's guard and throws a big left but Blankenship blocks it.
Blankenship looking to control but Sanitario passes into half guard.
Sanitario missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanitario throwing shots but Blankenship is blocking nicely.
Blankenship avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanitario.
Sanitario thows a huge punch but Blankenship dodges it nicely.
Sanitario seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Blankenship is trying to get back to full guard.
Blankenship is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sanitario scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sanitario missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sanitario scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Blankenship controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship manages to get to full guard.
Blankenship seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sanitario scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sanitario throws a big right hand that misses.
Blankenship trying to control the position.
Sanitario cracks Blankenship with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sanitario throws a big right hand that misses.
Blankenship seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Blankenship preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kenny Blankenship has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanitario with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sanitario misses with an uppercut. Blankenship saw that one coming.
Blankenship will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Blankenship misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanitario.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sanitario.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sanitario.
Blankenship tries to buck Sanitario off but Sanitario is having none of it.
Sanitario working the ground and pound.
Sanitario cracks Blankenship with a big right hand but Blankenship just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Blankenship wants to control but Sanitario postures up.
Blankenship tries to buck Sanitario off but Sanitario is having none of it.
Sanitario creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sloppy strikes there by Sanitario.
Sanitario scoring with punches from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blankenship tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Barnabus Sanitario showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanitario, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 50:45
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 50:46
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Barnabus Sanitario!
Barnabus Sanitario is the new bantamweight champion!
Post fight, Barnabus Sanitario took to the microphone: 'I just want to be clean'.