PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tony Kazarian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazarian comes to the cage accompanied by Limp Bizkit - My Way. On his way into the cage it seems that Tony Kazarian has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Tony Kazarian seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Kazarian
vs
Sanders

165 cm
29
140 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

171 cm
31
145 lbs
14 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

[GTI] Divine Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tony Kazarian!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Sanders!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kazarian gets a double leg takedown into Sanders's guard.
Kazarian throwing strikes from guard but Sanders blocks nicely.
Sanders utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sanders working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kazarian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kazarian manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kazarian wants to control from the top but Sanders keeps moving.
Kazarian 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.
Kazarian stopping the sweep attempt from Sanders.
Kazarian throws a big elbow that misses.
Kazarian is working Sanders over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Sanders is looking for a triangle but Kazarian pushes his legs off easily.
Kazarian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazarian working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sanders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kazarian wants to get back to full guard.
Kazarian makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kazarian.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kazarian holds on and takes a little breather.
Kazarian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanders is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanders is working Kazarian over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kazarian preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kazarian controls Sanders momentarily but Sanders frees himself.
Sanders throws an elbow that misses. Kazarian uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sanders's guard. Nice move by Kazarian!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kazarian distracts Sanders with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kazarian with a nice head shot there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanders working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kazarian.
Sanders tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sanders manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sanders unloading with bombs!
Sanders scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kazarian?
Kazarian tries to lock up and control but Sanders gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazarian is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kazarian regains half guard.
Sanders sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kazarian defending well though.
Sanders throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sanders sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kazarian defending well though.
Sanders missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kazarian blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sanders.
Nice strikes from Sanders there.
Sanders not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sanders throwing shots but Kazarian is blocking nicely.
Kazarian keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sanders lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanders thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kazarian keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Sanders seems to be looking for submissions.
Sanders is pressing down on Kazarian's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kazarian is holding on for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kazarian is not content to let Sanders control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanders checks a leg kick nicely.
Sanders takes one to the side of the head.

Kazarian shoots in and gets a takedown into Sanders's guard.
Sanders wants to sweep here but Kazarian controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazarian missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sanders looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kazarian is one step ahead there.
Sanders trying to control the position.
Kazarian working some strikes from top position.

Sanders looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kazarian lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazarian stopping the sweep attempt from Sanders.
Michael Sanders has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kazarian throwing strikes but missing.

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

Sanders had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kazarian defends it easily.
Sanders wants to sweep here but Kazarian controlling him for the moment.
Kazarian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sanders is keeping the position for now.
Kazarian preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazarian is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kazarian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kazarian with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sanders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sanders misses with a head shot. Kazarian uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kazarian preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kazarian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanders is one step ahead there.
Kazarian managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kazarian avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanders postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kazarian manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sanders sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kazarian slips a nice elbow through Sanders's hands, connecting with Sanders's forehead.
Kazarian working over Sanders with some ground and pound. Sanders looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sanders tries to get to full guard but Kazarian has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders trying to control here.
Sanders gets full guard.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Kazarian from controlling successfully.
Sanders not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sanders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
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!
Kazarian trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sanders is looking for a kimura but Kazarian is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sanders to get the leverage.
Kazarian gets full guard.
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 Tony Kazarian will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kazarian shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Kazarian from controlling successfully.
Kazarian is looking to work some ground and pound but Sanders has wrist control.
Sanders is trying to control the position but Kazarian postures up.
Kazarian missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sanders looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kazarian is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kazarian is in close to Sanders's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sanders tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kazarian distracts Sanders with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sanders is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sanders wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Kazarian from controlling successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanders is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazarian lands a couple of digs.
Sanders wants to sweep here but Kazarian controlling him for the moment.
Kazarian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Kazarian from controlling successfully.
Kazarian postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kazarian lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sanders wants to sweep here but Kazarian controlling him for the moment.
Kazarian lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sanders avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanders tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kazarian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kazarian won't allow Sanders to sweep him here.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Kazarian from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanders working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kazarian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kazarian manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sanders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kazarian throws a strike but Sanders rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kazarian working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanders.
Sanders throws a strike but Kazarian rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazarian throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanders has momentary wrist control but Kazarian slips an elbow through the middle.
Sanders looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sanders is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazarian keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sanders's head.
Sanders manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kazarian manages to get himself to full guard.
Sanders preventing the sweep.
Sanders trying to control but Kazarian is working from the bottom.
Kazarian seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sanders preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sanders throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders advances position into side control!
Sanders throws an elbow but Kazarian slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sanders working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Kazarian tries to buck Sanders off but Sanders is having none of it.

Sanders goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kazarian has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sanders but great work by Kazarian.
Sanders is looking for a sweep.
Kazarian wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sanders keeps working.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanders tries to improve position but can't.
Kazarian lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Sanders down.
Kazarian lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Sanders down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Kazarian clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kazarian looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kazarian is looking to take a break and control but Sanders is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sanders is looking to improve his position.
Kazarian lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kazarian prevents Sanders from improving his position.
Kazarian wants to pass to mount but Sanders is defending the position.
Sanders wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Kazarian there.
Kazarian working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazarian scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kazarian scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sanders taking some punishment here, with Kazarian in his half guard.

Sanders is rocked!
Kazarian lands with a punch from half guard.
Sanders is still in real trouble! Can Kazarian finish him?

Kazarian wants to work for an arm triangle but Sanders is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sanders is looking for a sweep. Kazarian is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kazarian is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
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. Kazarian connects with a nice short shot to Sanders's temple.
Kazarian is controlling the pace.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Nice strikes from Kazarian there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kazarian lands a nice short elbow.
Sanders is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kazarian scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sanders tries to get to full guard but Kazarian has control of the leg.
Kazarian scoring with strikes to the body and head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kazarian scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sanders wants to get back to full guard.

Kazarian is working for a kimura but Sanders is defending it quite comfortably.
Sanders wants to improve his position but Kazarian is controlling well.
Kazarian working Sanders over with strikes.
Kazarian landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kazarian is nestled in close to Sanders, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kazarian looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sanders with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sanders makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sanders.
Kazarian arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Sanders's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 4, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Tony Kazarian!
Tony Kazarian retains his bantamweight title!
A very excited looking Tony Kazarian made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.