PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lerry Sancio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nichiren Daishonin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sancio's entrance music is Before I Forget. A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sancio
vs
Daishonin

172 cm
21
152 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
153 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Grappling Pro Plus+ - Q157 recovery supp!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lerry Sancio!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nichiren Daishonin!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sancio defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Daishonin.
Sancio stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sancio wants it to stay on the feet.
Daishonin slips a jab and a cross from Sancio.
Daishonin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lerry Sancio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nichiren Daishonin.
Sancio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Daishonin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sancio defends it nicely.
Daishonin dives in and grabs Sancio's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sancio pushes down on Daishonin's head and hops out.
Daishonin avoids a kick to the body.

Daishonin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sancio is looking to reverse the position.

Sancio throws Daishonin to one side and escapes!
Daishonin looks for a takedown but Sancio sprawls well.
Sancio feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Daishonin's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daishonin fails with a takedown attempt.
Daishonin looks gassed!
Daishonin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sancio.
Daishonin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sancio ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A chopping leg kick lands by Sancio.
Sancio lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Daishonin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sancio uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sancio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sancio cracks Daishonin with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sancio. Daishonin shrugs it off though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sancio connects with a body shot.
Sancio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sancio scores with a leg kick.
Lerry Sancio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Daishonin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sancio.
Sancio scores with a jab. Daishonin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sancio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sancio tries to land a front kick but Daishonin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Crunch! Sancio slams his shin into Daishonin's torso.
Sancio with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sancio dips to his left and cracks Daishonin with an uppercut!
Sancio feints and then cracks Daishonin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Daishonin down.
A head kick misses from Sancio.
Sancio looks to score with a jab to the body but Daishonin is just out of range.
Sancio is looking to wear down Daishonin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sancio misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sancio throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Daishonin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sancio sprawls well initially but Daishonin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Sancio is defending against the submission attempts here by Daishonin.
Sancio is trying is best to control the position here.

Sancio actively working from the bottom here.

Daishonin is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sancio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Daishonin working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Sancio's thigh. Sancio counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Sancio keeping full guard, as Daishonin tries to pass.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sancio but Sancio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lerry Sancio dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sancio tests Daishonin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sancio dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Daishonin. That did some damage!
Sancio dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Daishonin. That did some damage!
Sancio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sancio lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Daishonin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nichiren Daishonin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Daishonin fails to land the takedown.
Daishonin shoots in and drives through. Sancio sprawls well.
Lerry Sancio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nichiren Daishonin.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sancio sprawls well. Sancio wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Daishonin gets slowly back to his feet.
Daishonin is breathing heavily.
A punch combination from Sancio misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daishonin shoots for a double leg takedown but Sancio sprawls well. He's pushed Daishonin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sancio cracks a nice hook into Daishonin's ribs.
Daishonin blocks the body kick.
Daishonin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A cross from Sancio lands.
Sancio ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sancio throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Daishonin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sancio thumps Daishonin with a low kick.
Daishonin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sancio throws a head kick but Daishonin moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sancio leaves Daishonin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sancio cracks Daishonin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Daishonin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sancio moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Daishonin looks for a takedown but Sancio sprawls well.
Sancio lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Daishonin at a distance.
Sancio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sancio misses with a two punch combination.
Daishonin needs to keep his hands up - Sancio had a free shot at his head there.
Sancio slaps away a takedown attempt from Daishonin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sancio is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Daishonin can do to turn this around?
Sancio bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Daishonin's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sancio lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Daishonin dodges the punch combination from Sancio.
Daishonin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sancio misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sancio lands a front kick.
Daishonin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sancio goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sancio dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Sancio as Daishonin shoots in.
Sancio connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sancio throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lerry Sancio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sancio throws a series of punches but Daishonin avoids them all with ease.
Sancio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sancio stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sancio lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Daishonin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Daishonin blocks a head kick by Sancio.
Sancio scores with a head kick.
Sancio displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sancio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Daishonin circles away quickly and effectively.
Lerry Sancio is winning the standup battle so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sancio as he jumps to the side.
Daishonin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lerry Sancio dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Sancio tries a head kick but it misses.
Daishonin ducks under a wild hook from Sancio.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sancio but Sancio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sancio lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Daishonin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sancio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Daishonin somewhat.
Sancio scores with a nice right hand.
Sancio lands a nice shot that snaps Daishonin's head back.
Daishonin shoots in for a double leg but Sancio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lerry Sancio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nichiren Daishonin.
Sancio misses with a few strikes there.
Daishonin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Daishonin shoots in and drives through. Sancio sprawls well.
Sancio throws a leg kick which misses Daishonin's front leg but catches the back leg as Daishonin tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sancio misses.
Daishonin fails with the takedown.
Sancio goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sancio throws a right and a left that Daishonin avoids nicely.
Daishonin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sancio scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sancio throws a sloppy head kick and Daishonin moves out of range easily.
Daishonin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sancio takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Daishonin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sancio throws a head kick but Daishonin moves out of range.
Sancio slaps away a takedown attempt from Daishonin, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sancio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Daishonin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sancio throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sancio, right into the meat.
Daishonin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sancio tries to avoid it but Daishonin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sancio to the ground. Sancio escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sancio lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Daishonin sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Daishonin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sancio's waist but Sancio gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Daishonin off to one side.
A lazy left from Sancio finds it's target.
Sancio scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sancio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sancio as he jumps to the side.
Sancio fakes the leg kick and cracks Daishonin in the body.
Sancio tries to land a front kick but Daishonin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sancio pushes Daishonin away with a front kick.
Daishonin fails with a takedown attempt.
Sancio fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Daishonin has a takedown stuffed.
Sancio lunges at Daishonin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Daishonin's hand.
A thudding body kick lands there by Sancio!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sancio as he jumps to the side.
A head kick from Sancio lands but Daishonin takes it in his stride.
Sancio throws a sloppy head kick and Daishonin moves out of range easily.
Daishonin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Sancio.
Sancio misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sancio thuds his shin into the meat of Daishonin's side.
Daishonin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sancio misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sancio throws a combination. Daishonin tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Daishonin moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sancio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Daishonin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sancio as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lerry Sancio clearly takes that round.
That's time! Sancio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Daishonin misses with a takedown attempt - Sancio sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Danga de danga de dang - Sancio scores with a four punch combination!

Daishonin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sancio regains full guard. Nicely done.
Daishonin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sancio is keeping the position for now.
Sancio is trying to keep Daishonin in close.
Sancio is looking to stand up but Daishonin isn't so interested in that idea.

Sancio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daishonin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sancio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Daishonin trying to control the position from guard on top but Sancio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Daishonin blocks a head kick by Sancio.
Sancio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sancio just misses with a punch to the body.
Daishonin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sancio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sancio defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Daishonin.
Lerry Sancio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nichiren Daishonin.
Sancio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Daishonin shoots in but Sancio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sancio stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sancio wants it to stay on the feet.
Sancio throws out a leg kick but Daishonin moves out of range and Sancio only half commits.
Sancio moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Daishonin steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sancio. That one must have hurt.
A punch combination from Sancio misses.
Daishonin looks for a takedown but Sancio sprawls well.
Sancio throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sancio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sancio as he avoids it easily.
A left and a right from Sancio both land. Nice combination.
Sancio with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Daishonin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sancio connects with a good right hand that stumbles Daishonin. Daishonin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Daishonin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sancio's waist but Sancio gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Daishonin off to one side.
Sancio fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Daishonin has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sancio tries a head kick but it misses.
Sancio throws a series of punches but Daishonin avoids them all with ease.
Sancio lunges at Daishonin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Daishonin's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sancio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sancio, right into the meat.
Sancio fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Daishonin manages to avoid it.
Sancio loads up on a big right hand but Daishonin slips the punch.
Jab from Sancio.
Daishonin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sancio.
Sancio throws a series of strikes that have Daishonin backpedaling.
Daishonin shoots in but no luck this time.
Daishonin shoots in but no luck this time.
Daishonin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sancio defends it nicely.
Sancio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lerry Sancio had his way with Nichiren Daishonin in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sancio wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Daishonin fails with the takedown.
Daishonin shoots in for a double leg but Sancio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No joy there for Sancio, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Daishonin has a takedown stuffed.
Lerry Sancio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nichiren Daishonin.
Daishonin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Daishonin sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sancio lands a lovely overhand right.
Daishonin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sancio pinned against the cage. Sancio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Daishonin on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sancio wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Daishonin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sancio throws a series of punches but Daishonin avoids them all with ease.
Sancio swings for the body but Daishonin moves out of range.
Daishonin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sancio is fending him off so far but Daishonin persists. Nope, Sancio circles away and we're back to standing.
Daishonin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Sancio lands with a kick to the temple. Daishonin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Sancio throws a series of punches but Daishonin moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Daishonin.
Sancio lands with a slapping head kick.
Sancio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sancio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Daishonin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sancio throws a body punch but Daishonin moves out of range.
Sancio misses with a body kick.

Daishonin shoots in and bounces Sancio off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

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

Sancio decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daishonin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sancio scores with a push kick.
Daishonin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sancio avoids it really well and circles away.
Sancio lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Daishonin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sancio swings for the body but Daishonin moves out of range.
Daishonin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sancio is fending him off so far but Daishonin persists. Nope, Sancio circles away and we're back to standing.
Daishonin closes the distance and clinches up with Sancio, looking for a takedown. Daishonin pushes Sancio against the ropes but Sancio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sancio thuds his shin into the meat of Daishonin's side.
Daishonin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sancio.
Sancio tries to land a front kick but Daishonin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Daishonin checks a leg kick.
Sancio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sancio lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sancio stuffs the takedown attempt from Daishonin. Daishonin gets slowly back to his feet.
Sancio looks to land a combination. Daishonin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sancio throws a right and a left that Daishonin avoids nicely.
Daishonin walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sancio.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sancio scores with a hook to the body. Daishonin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nichiren Daishonin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lerry Sancio is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head kick by Daishonin misses
and Sancio counters with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lerry Sancio showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sancio, 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Lerry Sancio!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Lerry Sancio!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Lerry Sancio!

Lerry Sancio wins by unanimous decision!
Lerry Sancio retains his featherweight title!