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 had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Sanchez
vs
Staunton

180 cm
25
179 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
174 lbs
1 - 2 - 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 3 - 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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Staunton!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Staunton closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sanchez is trying to pull guard but Staunton turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sanchez is trying to drag Staunton to the mat but Staunton just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Staunton has Sanchez pressed against the cage, preventing Sanchez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Sanchez breaks from the clinch.

Staunton looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sanchez is looking for a sweep. Staunton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet.
Staunton working the head and body with strikes.
Sanchez tries to roll over but Staunton keeps him under control.
Staunton missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Staunton trying to control from half guard but Sanchez is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez moves into full guard.

Staunton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sanchez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Staunton has managed to get both his arms back between Sanchez's legs - danger averted.
Staunton trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Staunton wanted to stand there but Sanchez had control of the position.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet but Staunton passes into half guard.
Sanchez taking some punishment here, with Staunton in his half guard.
Staunton is trying to control. Sanchez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is defending against the submission attempts here by Staunton.

Staunton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Staunton looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Staunton prevents Sanchez from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet.

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

Sanchez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staunton pulls his head out easily.
Staunton throwing shots but Sanchez is blocking nicely.
Staunton not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Staunton is just content to waste time from the top position. Sanchez takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Staunton passes into half guard.
Sanchez is refusing to be controlled, as Staunton sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Staunton trying to control from half guard but Sanchez is working away.
Staunton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sanchez defending well though.
Staunton is looking to advance position but Sanchez won't allow it.

Sanchez with the active half guard here but Staunton passes nicely into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanchez is looking to regain half guard here but Staunton keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Staunton listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sanchez tries to clinch there but Staunton circles away.
No luck for Staunton with that takedown attempt.
Sanchez throws a combination that misses

and Staunton counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Staunton stopping the sweep attempt from Sanchez.
Sanchez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Staunton postures up in Sanchez's guard and throws a big left but Sanchez blocks it.
Staunton must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Staunton from controlling successfully.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staunton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanchez swivels and escapes.
Sanchez defends well against a solid 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 fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Staunton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Staunton stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanchez. Sanchez gets slowly back to his feet.
Staunton is looking to clinch but Sanchez is avoiding it.
Sanchez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Staunton misses with a takedown
letting Sanchez counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez shoots in and bounces Staunton off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sanchez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sanchez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Staunton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanchez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Staunton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staunton looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sanchez puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Sanchez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Staunton defending well though.
Steve Staunton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Staunton is refusing to be controlled, as Sanchez sits in half guard.
Sanchez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Staunton is trying to control but can't.
Staunton wants to improve his position but Sanchez is controlling well.
Sanchez is looking to take a break and control but Staunton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to pass to mount but Staunton is defending the position.
Staunton moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Staunton is keeping the position for now.

Sanchez stands and steps away. Staunton gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sanchez sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sanchez is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Staunton's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez is stalling here. Staunton is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Sanchez seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Staunton has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Diego Sanchez will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sanchez shoots in but no luck this time.

Sanchez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sanchez sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Staunton is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Staunton is looking to reverse the position.
Staunton can't do much from the bottom here.

Sanchez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Staunton wants to control but Sanchez postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez lands some shots froms side control.
Staunton is looking for a sweep.
Staunton gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Staunton is trying to stand up here but Sanchez is controlling him well.
Staunton regains full guard. Nicely done.
Staunton manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Staunton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanchez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sanchez is squirming around, avoiding Staunton's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to hold on but Staunton postures up.
Staunton prevents Sanchez from getting the reversal.
Sanchez is squirming around, avoiding Staunton's attempts to control the action.
Staunton punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sanchez is trying desperately to improve position.
Staunton avoids the attempt from Sanchez to control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Staunton blocks Sanchez's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez can't escape the position.
Sanchez is working hard here to advance position.
Staunton trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sanchez can't escape the position.

Staunton looking to secure an arm triangle but Sanchez defends it well.
Staunton controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee warns Sanchez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Staunton sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Sanchez swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Staunton is working for a guillotine from mount but Sanchez frees his head quite easily.
Staunton wants to control the action but instead Sanchez gets a body lock and reverses into Staunton's guard! Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Steve Staunton just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sanchez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Staunton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Staunton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sanchez tries to avoid it but Staunton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sanchez to the ground. Sanchez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Staunton looking to score a takedown here. Sanchez is defending well but Staunton drives through and ends up in Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Staunton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sanchez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Staunton!
Sanchez controlling from mount.
Staunton is looking to improve his position but Sanchez isn't that keen on the idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staunton tries to control the position but Sanchez now has his back.
I really don't envy Staunton right now.
Staunton trying to get back to his feet but Sanchez is in full control for now.
Sanchez is not going to allow Staunton to sit and survive in this position.
Staunton is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Sanchez lands shots from the back.
Sanchez lands punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez connects with a big shot to the side of Staunton's head.

Sanchez working for the choke.

Sanchez has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Staunton has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Staunton just trying to survive but Sanchez is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Staunton defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Sanchez's arms.
Staunton can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is not going to allow Staunton to sit and survive in this position.

Staunton showing good submission defense here.
Staunton tries to roll but Sanchez sticks to his back.
Staunton takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Staunton trying to control the hands but Sanchez won't let him.

Sanchez looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Staunton taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Diego Sanchez!
Diego Sanchez retains his welterweight title!
Diego Sanchez thanked the fans post fight for their support.