PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Diego Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodel Hiligaynon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiligaynon has chosen Down and Out as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Sanchez
vs
Hiligaynon

188 cm
24
147 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

170 cm
29
144 lbs
15 - 5 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Diego Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Rodel Hiligaynon!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Sanchez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hiligaynon swinging wildly here.
Sanchez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hiligaynon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hiligaynon moves away.
Sanchez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sanchez scores with a hook to the body. Hiligaynon takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sanchez moves out of range as Hiligaynon strikes.
Sanchez lands with a right hand.
Hiligaynon takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sanchez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanchez.
Sanchez misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Hiligaynon counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hiligaynon looking to pass the guard.
Hiligaynon is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hiligaynon trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rodel Hiligaynon.
The fighters circling - Hiligaynon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hiligaynon gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sanchez.
Hiligaynon tries a head kick but it misses.
Hiligaynon drops his hands momentarily and Sanchez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hiligaynon cracks Sanchez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sanchez avoids the body shot from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a hook but Sanchez avoids it easily.

Sanchez closes the distance and pushes Hiligaynon back into the cage.

Hiligaynon breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sanchez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon moves out of range as Sanchez strikes.
Sanchez lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sanchez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hiligaynon lands an uppercut.
Sanchez throws a head punch that misses.
Sanchez misses with a body punch.
Hiligaynon is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sanchez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hiligaynon misses with the head strike.
Good body shot from Hiligaynon.
Sanchez has Hiligaynon pressed against the cage.

Hiligaynon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez delivers a nice body kick.
Sanchez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hiligaynon fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sanchez keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sanchez misses with a low kick as Hiligaynon jumps back.
Sanchez lands with a straight right. Hiligaynon didn't see that one coming.
A combination from Sanchez does no damage.
Hiligaynon misses with the combination.
Sanchez is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hiligaynon shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hiligaynon connects with a solid leg kick.
Hiligaynon fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sanchez avoids it really well and circles away.
Sanchez throws a leg kick
and Hiligaynon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hiligaynon avoids the head kick by Sanchez.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big right from Sanchez misses.
Hiligaynon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sanchez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Hiligaynon misses.
Sanchez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hiligaynon.
Sanchez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hiligaynon.
Sanchez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sanchez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hiligaynon.
A left lands for Sanchez.
Hiligaynon is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sanchez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hiligaynon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hiligaynon darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sanchez misses the jab.
Sanchez lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hiligaynon shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanchez sprawls well. He's pushed Hiligaynon's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sanchez lands a nice looking body shot.
Sanchez misses with a double jab.
Sanchez is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hiligaynon pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Diego Sanchez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hiligaynon throws a leg kick but Sanchez moved away.
Sanchez moves out of range as Hiligaynon strikes.
Sanchez swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a shot from downtown. Sanchez moves away and avoids it.
Hiligaynon misses with a hook.
Hiligaynon throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sanchez takes a swing at Hiligaynon's ribcage but misses.
Hiligaynon on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hiligaynon blocks the body kick.
Sanchez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sanchez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon checks a leg kick nicely.
Hiligaynon scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sanchez doesn't seem bothered though.
Sanchez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hiligaynon.
Sanchez jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hiligaynon fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sanchez sprawls well initially but Hiligaynon persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sanchez controlling the position for now.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hiligaynon in particular looking to stall.
Hiligaynon looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Hiligaynon seems to be working for a kimura but Sanchez defends the submission attempt.
Sanchez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hiligaynon is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.

Hiligaynon 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. Hiligaynon eventually gives up the hold.
Hiligaynon is stalling here. Sanchez is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hiligaynon seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Sanchez has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Hiligaynon tries to improve position but can't.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon looks to move to half guard but instead Sanchez has passed into mount! Damn!
Hiligaynon is working to get back to half guard.
Sanchez controlling the position easily from mount.
Sanchez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hiligaynon tries to reverse the position but Sanchez maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez trying to control but Hiligaynon is having none of it.
Hiligaynon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hiligaynon bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hiligaynon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rodel Hiligaynon will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Sanchez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sanchez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanchez avoids the head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon tries to move into range but Sanchez moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fighters circling - Sanchez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sanchez throws an off balance right hand
and Hiligaynon counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sanchez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sanchez tries to move into range but Hiligaynon moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hiligaynon lands with a thumping leg kick.

Sanchez clinches up with Hiligaynon and pushes him back against the cage.
Hiligaynon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanchez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hiligaynon has a couple of punches blocked by Sanchez.
Hiligaynon gets through Sanchez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sanchez blocks an uppercut.
Sanchez letting Hiligaynon take a breather here.
Sanchez struggles to land a body shot inside as Hiligaynon controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiligaynon works on Sanchez's body with a couple of short punches.
Sanchez struggles to land a body shot inside as Hiligaynon controls his hands.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Sanchez is looking to control Hiligaynon's arms but Hiligaynon gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sanchez has his back to the cage.
Hiligaynon lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sanchez backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hiligaynon fails to land.
Sanchez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sanchez slowing the pace effectively.
Sanchez lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hiligaynon backwards.
Sanchez tries to stall but Hiligaynon uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hiligaynon misses with a knee to the head.
Hiligaynon gets through Sanchez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hiligaynon is trying to maintain a safe position but Sanchez gets an underhook and turns Hiligaynon into the cage.
Hiligaynon scores with a nice hook to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanchez avoiding damage as Hiligaynon throws knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanchez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hiligaynon trying to land knees to the body.
Hiligaynon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanchez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanchez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sanchez misses with a body punch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sanchez as Hiligaynon tries to tie him up.
Sanchez lands a nice shot to the body.
Hiligaynon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sanchez can't find room to land a body shot as Hiligaynon controls the action.
Hiligaynon lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sanchez.
Sanchez trying to stall but Hiligaynon improves his position.
Hiligaynon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sanchez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hiligaynon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hiligaynon using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hiligaynon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sanchez is defending well for now.
Sanchez wants to stall.
Sanchez misses with a body punch.
Hiligaynon working hard to break the clinch.
Sanchez avoiding damage.
Sanchez tries to work over Hiligaynon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hiligaynon thumps Sanchez with a low kick.
Hiligaynon throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diego Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hiligaynon throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Diego Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanchez scores with a decent looking hook.
Hiligaynon connects with a leg kick. Sanchez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sanchez is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sanchez misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sanchez's hands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hiligaynon.
Diego Sanchez is winning the standup battle so far.
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!
Hiligaynon lands with a shot to the body.
A jab from Hiligaynon misses.
Sanchez loads up on a big right hand but Hiligaynon slips the punch.
Sanchez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Hiligaynon throws a hook but Sanchez blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hiligaynon misses with a body shot.
Sanchez lunges at Hiligaynon with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hiligaynon's hand.
Hiligaynon takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hiligaynon is looking to slow Sanchez down with leg kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodel Hiligaynon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hiligaynon has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodel Hiligaynon!
A victorious Rodel Hiligaynon thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.