PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akaedin Mariner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Sandoval (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alex Sandoval is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Mariner
vs
Sandoval

195 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
25
172 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Akaedin Mariner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alex Sandoval!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Mariner as Sandoval shoots in.
Horrible takedown by Sandoval or perhaps it was just good defense by Mariner which made him look bad.
Sandoval misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akaedin Mariner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Sandoval.

Sandoval has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mariner goes for a takedown attempt but Sandoval pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sandoval keeps the fight on the outside.

Sandoval closes the distance and clinches.
Mariner landing knees to the head.
Sandoval working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sandoval wants to get back to striking at distance but Mariner won't allow it.
Mariner is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sandoval managing to block the knees to the body from Mariner.
Mariner is trying to force a seperation but Sandoval has the dominant position.
Sandoval is trying to break the clinch but Mariner is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandoval is trying to force a seperation but Mariner has the dominant position.
Sandoval drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mariner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sandoval looking for a takedown.
Sandoval on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sandoval avoiding damage.
Sandoval wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sandoval is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mariner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sandoval is defending well for now.
Mariner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Sandoval pulls guard effortlessly.

Mariner got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sandoval has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mariner has managed to get both his arms back between Sandoval's legs - danger averted.
Mariner wants to control from the top but Sandoval keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Sandoval manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Mariner can't find room to land a body shot as Sandoval controls the action.
Mariner taking a breather.
Mariner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mariner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sandoval is defending well for now.
Mariner is trying to break the clinch but Sandoval has him pressed against the cage.

Sandoval drags the fight down to the ground.
Sandoval pulls Mariner in to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mariner trying to control the position from guard on top but Sandoval is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sandoval controlling Mariner's posture.

Sandoval working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mariner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mariner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Mariner trying to control but Sandoval is working from the bottom.
Sandoval has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Mariner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sandoval on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sandoval fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mariner shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sandoval but Sandoval pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sandoval shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mariner moves in looking to clinch but Sandoval pushes him off.
Mariner tries to clinch but Sandoval moves away
and Sandoval counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mariner wants to clinch.

Sandoval closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mariner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sandoval has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sandoval drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mariner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mariner tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sandoval just stands there and leans against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Sandoval dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sandoval dives in for a single leg takedown but Mariner sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mariner has had enough of the clinch but Sandoval keeps him there for the moment.
Sandoval drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mariner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mariner is trying to pull guard but Sandoval turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mariner tries to land knees in the clinch but Sandoval avoids the damage to the body.
Mariner gets underhooks to prevent Sandoval's takedown attempt.
Akaedin Mariner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Sandoval.
Mariner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sandoval has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mariner trying to stall but Sandoval improves his position.

Sandoval manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sandoval keeping moving, preventing Mariner from controlling successfully.
Mariner wants to get up but he can't break Sandoval's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Sandoval is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mariner is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariner throws an elbow that misses. Sandoval uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mariner's guard. Nice move by Sandoval!
Sandoval showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Sandoval gets to his feet - Mariner follows without any prompting.
Mariner tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sandoval defends well and Mariner ends up having to push Sandoval into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mariner is trying to force a seperation but Sandoval has the dominant position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sandoval is trying to drag Mariner to the mat but Mariner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sandoval wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mariner is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval is trying to break the clinch but Mariner has him pressed against the cage.
Mariner looking to slow down the pace here.
Mariner trying to land knees to the body.
Mariner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Mariner misses with a knee strike.
Sandoval wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mariner stalling in the clinch but Sandoval improves position.
Sandoval is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Mariner jumps into guard, dragging Sandoval to the mat.

Sandoval stands up from Mariner's guard - Sandoval perhaps looking for a knockout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mariner tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sandoval sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mariner somewhat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sandoval.
Mariner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mariner tries to clinch up.

Mariner tries to keep at a distance but Sandoval has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mariner is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sandoval is keeping busy.

Sandoval breaks from the clinch.
Sandoval is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mariner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sandoval misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sandoval circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akaedin Mariner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sandoval looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mariner tries to clinch but Sandoval moves out of range.

Sandoval pushes Mariner up against the cage in a clinch.
Mariner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sandoval gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mariner.
Sandoval wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mariner has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mariner tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sandoval avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Sandoval will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mariner slaps away a takedown attempt from Sandoval, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick misses from Sandoval.
Sandoval lands a right hook to the body.
Mariner moves to clinch but Sandoval breaks away

and Sandoval counters by clinching up.
Mariner throws a knee to the head but misses.

Sandoval jumps guard and drags Mariner to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sandoval throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Sandoval manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Nice uppercut there from Sandoval.
Mariner tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Sandoval counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariner closes the distance but Sandoval moves to the side
and Sandoval counters with a left and a right that stings Mariner.

Sandoval gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sandoval drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mariner gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mariner tries to work over Sandoval's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mariner has Sandoval pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sandoval manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sandoval blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mariner tries to land a knee to the head but Sandoval blocks with his arms.
Sandoval changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mariner fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Akaedin Mariner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Sandoval.
Sandoval tries for a takedown but Mariner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sandoval takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mariner tries a head kick but it misses.
Sandoval avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mariner closes the distance looking to clinch

and Sandoval counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
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!
Sandoval managing to block the knees to the body from Mariner.
Sandoval has had enough of the clinch but Mariner keeps him there for the moment.
Sandoval jumps guard but Mariner stands there with Sandoval around his waist. Sandoval gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sandoval is trying to pull guard but Mariner turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mariner throws a knee to the head but misses.

Sandoval pulls guard.
Mariner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sandoval is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sandoval is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sandoval is controlling Mariner's posture.
Sandoval keeping moving, preventing Mariner from controlling successfully.

Sandoval throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sandoval striking off his back but it's not causing Mariner any problems.
Sandoval looking for a sweep. Not yet Sandoval, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sandoval is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sandoval 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.
Sandoval seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mariner trying to control the position from guard on top but Sandoval is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akaedin Mariner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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 because Akaedin Mariner just wasn't active enough.
Sandoval shoots for a takedown but Mariner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mariner is looking to clinch.
Alex Sandoval is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sandoval avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Sandoval comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sandoval 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Sandoval!