PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Diego Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Staunton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diego Sanchez has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sanchez
vs
Staunton

180 cm
25
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
174 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Diego Sanchez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Staunton!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Staunton lands a slapping body shot.
Staunton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Staunton keeps the fight on the outside.
Sanchez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Staunton closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sanchez's guard.
Staunton trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Sanchez manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Staunton wants to hit a switch here but Sanchez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Staunton there!

Sanchez gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Sanchez looking to score a takedown here. Staunton is defending well but Sanchez drives through and ends up in Staunton's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Staunton wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Staunton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez passes into half guard.
Staunton wants to get back to his feet.
Staunton is looking for a sweep. Sanchez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Sanchez is trying to work for a kimura but Staunton is defending well.
Staunton is doing well to control the position and prevent Sanchez from advancing to side control.

Staunton actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Staunton sprawls well. Staunton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sanchez gets slowly back to his feet.

Sanchez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Staunton looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Staunton manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sanchez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Staunton is defending against the submission attempts here by Sanchez.
Sanchez throwing shots but Staunton is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Staunton defends it well.
Staunton keeping hold of Sanchez's head, controlling as best he can.
Sanchez is trying to control. Staunton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Staunton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Staunton should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Staunton slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staunton wants to sweep here but Sanchez controlling him for the moment.
Staunton trying to control the position.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Staunton keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sanchez throws a nice looking combination but Staunton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Staunton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sanchez avoids it really well and circles away.
Sanchez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanchez throws a nice looking combination but Staunton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sanchez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Staunton shoots in looking for a takedown but Sanchez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Staunton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Staunton clinches with his opponent.
Staunton fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Diego Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Staunton.
Staunton tries for a takedown. No joy.

Sanchez has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Staunton is trying to keep an underhook but Sanchez manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Staunton is looking to improve his position.
Staunton is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sanchez wants to take a breather but Staunton is having none of it.
Sanchez is controlling the pace.
Sanchez thows a huge punch but Staunton dodges it nicely.
Sanchez wants to advance to full mount but Staunton doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Staunton is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sanchez is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Staunton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Staunton controlling the position.
Sanchez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sanchez chips away with some ground and pound.
Staunton has momentary wrist control but Sanchez slips an elbow through the middle.
Staunton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Staunton looking to control.
Staunton keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Staunton trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Staunton's head.
Sanchez passes into half guard.
Staunton trying to control but Sanchez postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sanchez lands a nice short elbow.
Sanchez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staunton is trying to control but can't.
Staunton wants to get back to his feet.
Staunton tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sanchez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sanchez 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.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but Staunton defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diego Sanchez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sanchez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sanchez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Staunton as Sanchez shoots in.
Staunton swats away the attempt to clinch by Sanchez.
Sanchez just misses with a punch to the body.
Staunton has a takedown stuffed.
Sanchez tries to clinch up
and Staunton counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Staunton drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staunton trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Staunton decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Staunton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sanchez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sanchez in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Staunton tries to buck Sanchez off but Sanchez is having none of it.
Staunton is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sanchez in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Staunton is trying to control Sanchez's posture but Sanchez avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sanchez stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Nice uppercut lands for Staunton. That snapped Sanchez's head back.

Sanchez feints and as Staunton raises his hands in defense, Sanchez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sanchez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanchez lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sanchez working the head and body with strikes.
Sanchez wants to control but Staunton is keeping him busy.

Sanchez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sanchez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Staunton keeps working.
Staunton gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staunton is looking for a sweep. Sanchez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Staunton missing with punches from the bottom.
Sanchez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Well, if Sanchez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Staunton keeping hold of Sanchez's head, controlling as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez clearly takes that 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.

Staunton shoots for a takedown but Sanchez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt.

Staunton shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sanchez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sanchez working a defensive guard here.
Sanchez has control of Staunton's left arm, preventing Staunton from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Staunton defends well.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Sanchez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Staunton working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Staunton stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Diego Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sanchez scores with a takedown into Staunton's guard.
Staunton keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez won't allow Staunton to get back to his feet.

Staunton kicks Sanchez off and gets to his feet.
Staunton tries to clinch up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Staunton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sanchez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanchez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Staunton has managed to clinch.

Staunton is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sanchez is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Staunton to the mat. Staunton regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Staunton keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staunton trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.
Sanchez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Staunton's guard.
Staunton is staying active underneath Sanchez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Staunton gets back to full guard.
Staunton keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.
Staunton is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Staunton trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez stopping the sweep attempt from Staunton.
Staunton is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Staunton is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Steve Staunton.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Staunton.
Diego Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Staunton.

Sanchez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Diego Sanchez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sanchez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Staunton shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanchez sprawls well. He's pushed Staunton's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Sanchez gets a double leg takedown into Staunton's guard.
Staunton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sanchez postures up and lands a big shot to Staunton's brow.
Sanchez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Staunton working a defensive guard here.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Staunton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Staunton is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diego Sanchez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sanchez shoots in but Staunton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice takedown defense from Sanchez. No joy for Staunton on that attempt.
Staunton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sanchez's waist but Sanchez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Staunton off to one side.
Diego Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Staunton.

Sanchez has closed the distance and engaged Staunton in a clinch.
Staunton tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Sanchez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sanchez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Staunton stops Sanchez from standing up.
Staunton scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staunton trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
Staunton passes Sanchez's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sanchez tries to roll over but Staunton keeps him under control.
Sanchez trying to control here.
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. Staunton connects with a nice short shot to Sanchez's temple.
Staunton controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staunton blocks the strikes from Sanchez.
Staunton is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet.
Sanchez manages to get to full guard.

Sanchez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Staunton defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is working an open guard so Staunton takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Staunton moves into the clinch successfully.
Staunton makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Staunton jumps guard but Sanchez stands there with Staunton around his waist. Staunton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sanchez is trying to pull guard but Staunton has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanchez is trying to maintain a safe position but Staunton gets an underhook and turns Sanchez into the cage.
Steve Staunton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diego Sanchez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sanchez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Staunton gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

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 Diego Sanchez.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanchez, 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Sanchez!
Diego Sanchez retains his welterweight title!
Diego Sanchez thanked the fans post fight for their support.