PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Grant Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grant Sanchez could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mark Rodriguez's chin.

Sanchez
vs
Rodriguez

189 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grant Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are , and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanchez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Rodriguez looking for submissions off his back.
Rodriguez moves into full guard.
Rodriguez wants to sweep but no luck.

Rodriguez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sanchez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Rodriguez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rodriguez working for a triangle but Sanchez defends it easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Rodriguez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sanchez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rodriguez looks gassed!

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

Sanchez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rodriguez manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sanchez has Rodriguez in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rodriguez defends it easily.
Rodriguez trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez stands and throws Sanchez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sanchez tries to buck Rodriguez off but Rodriguez is having none of it.

Rodriguez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sanchez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rodriguez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Sanchez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sanchez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sanchez.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sanchez has his foot on Rodriguez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rodriguez works his way back into a safe position though.
Rodriguez is stalling in the full guard.

Sanchez has his foot on Rodriguez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rodriguez works his way back into a safe position though.
Sanchez being controlled here, momentarily.

Sanchez looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.

Sanchez looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.
Rodriguez passes Sanchez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.

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

Sanchez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.

Rodriguez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sanchez is just riding it out for now. Rodriguez eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Sanchez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rodriguez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez is trying to control the action in half guard but Sanchez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura here.
Rodriguez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sanchez sees it coming and defends easily.

Sanchez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rodriguez pulls his head out easily.

Rodriguez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sanchez is just riding it out for now. Rodriguez eventually gives up the hold.

Sanchez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodriguez is looking to take a break and control but Sanchez 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.

Rodriguez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sanchez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rodriguez pulls his head out easily.
Sanchez is staying active underneath Rodriguez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sanchez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Sanchez.

Rodriguez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sanchez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Rodriguez is trying to work for a kimura but Sanchez is defending well.
Rodriguez tries to pass to full mount but Sanchez defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is staying active underneath Rodriguez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Sanchez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.

Rodriguez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rodriguez swats away the attempt to clinch by Sanchez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.

Rodriguez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sanchez did well to prevent Rodriguez getting side control.
Sanchez is staying active underneath Rodriguez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura here.

Rodriguez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sanchez sees it coming and defends easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rodriguez seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Rodriguez 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!

Sanchez throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodriguez circles away.
Sanchez tries a head kick but it misses.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Sanchez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rodriguez passes Sanchez's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Sanchez is defending against the submission attempts here by Rodriguez.
Sanchez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mark Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanchez keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodriguez is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Sanchez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodriguez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.

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

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rodriguez pushing down on Sanchez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Sanchez is having none of it.
Rodriguez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sanchez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura but Sanchez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rodriguez to get the leverage.

Rodriguez seems to be looking for submissions.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez works his way into side control.

Rodriguez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sanchez gets back to half guard.
Sanchez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.

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

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez stands and throws Sanchez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sanchez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rodriguez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Sanchez is having none of it.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back.
Rodriguez wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.

Rodriguez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Rodriguez is working for a submission of some sort.

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 Grant Sanchez.
I think Sanchez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 28:29
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mark Rodriguez!