PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nick Sanchez has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Sam Malone's chin.

Malone
vs
Sanchez

184 cm
25
171 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
28
172 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sam Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nick Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Micheangelo Fripello and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Malone.

Sanchez shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Malone's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Malone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanchez.
Sanchez postures up in Malone's guard and throws a big left but Malone blocks it.
Malone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanchez.
Malone preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sanchez passes Malone's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sanchez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sanchez throwing shots but Malone is blocking nicely.

Sanchez stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Malone to get to his feet.

Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sanchez is trying to push Malone away but Malone has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sanchez.

Sanchez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Malone uses from the top position.

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

Sanchez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Sanchez looking for subs off his back but Malone has passed one foot through into half guard.

Sanchez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back.
Sanchez gets back to full guard.

Sanchez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Malone defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sanchez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Malone doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Malone manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Malone not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malone can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sanchez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Malone got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sanchez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Malone has managed to get both his arms back between Sanchez's legs - danger averted.
Malone has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Malone slips nicely into half guard.

Sanchez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sanchez tries to kick Malone off but Malone keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.

Malone moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Sanchez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is looking for a sweep.
Sanchez tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Malone takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Malone prevents Sanchez from getting the reversal.
Sanchez tries to buck Malone off but he can't manage it.
Sanchez regains half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

Sanchez looking for a kimura from the bottom but Malone passes into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Sanchez dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Malone gets caught flat footed, as Sanchez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Sanchez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sanchez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sanchez prevents Malone from getting back to his feet.
Malone preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sanchez drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Malone dives on top into guard.
Malone trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sanchez is looking for a triangle here but Malone uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sanchez is trying to get back to half guard.
Malone advances nicely into full mount.
Sanchez regains half guard.

Sanchez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Malone wants to take a breather but Sanchez is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.
Malone prevents Sanchez from standing back up.
Malone seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sanchez tries to kick Malone off but Malone keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez actively working from the bottom here.
Sanchez tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Malone manages to move to mount!
Sanchez really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sanchez is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Malone looking to control and managing it successfully.
Malone can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sanchez is looking to escape.
Malone takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet.
Malone prevents Sanchez from getting the reversal.
Malone can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sanchez is looking to escape.
Sanchez tries to reverse the position but Malone maintains control.
Nick Sanchez has got the better of the ground game so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malone postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sanchez looks a forlorn figure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malone tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Sanchez 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 forces Malone back against the cage and clinches.
Sanchez is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Sanchez breaks the clinch.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but Malone shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanchez shoots in for a double leg but Malone sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Sanchez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Malone manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Malone utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Malone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanchez.
Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanchez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sanchez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Malone wants to stand but Sanchez is controlling the position.
Sanchez throwing strikes but missing.
Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanchez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Sanchez drops back looking for a leg! Malone is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Malone manages to kick Sanchez off! Sanchez jumps back into Malone's guard.
Malone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanchez.

Sanchez stands up from Malone's guard - Sanchez perhaps looking for a knockout.

Sanchez looking to score a takedown here. Malone is defending well but Sanchez drives through and ends up in Malone's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sanchez throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanchez landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sanchez 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.
Malone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanchez throws a big elbow that misses.

Sanchez gets to his feet - Malone follows without any prompting.

Sanchez shoots in and gets a takedown into Malone's guard.

Sanchez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez closes the distance and clinches up with Malone, looking for a takedown. Sanchez pushes Malone against the cage but Malone circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sam Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Sanchez.

Sanchez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Malone's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Sanchez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sanchez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 26:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Sanchez!