PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lenildo Moreira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marat Sanayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lenildo Moreira could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Marat Sanayev's chin.

Moreira
vs
Sanayev

204 cm
25
295 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
291 lbs
3 - 4 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lenildo Moreira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Marat Sanayev!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Moreira gets a double leg takedown into Sanayev's guard.

Sanayev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sanayev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Moreira will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Moreira sitting in guard here, content to control.
Moreira has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Sanayev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Moreira gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moreira tries to stand but Sanayev is controlling from the bottom.

Moreira avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Moreira wants to stand but Sanayev is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanayev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sanayev can't keep his opponent in guard - Moreira advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Moreira trying to pass the guard but Sanayev defending well.

Sanayev looking for submissions off his back.

Sanayev actively working from the bottom here.
Moreira moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanayev tries to buck Moreira off but Moreira is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanayev sneaks back into half guard.
Sanayev won't allow Moreira to pass to mount.
Moreira slows the pace down in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sanayev looking for submissions off his back.

Sanayev actively working from the bottom here.

Sanayev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Moreira missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanayev tries to get to full guard but Moreira has control of the leg.

Sanayev actively working from the bottom here.
Moreira wants to pass the guard but Sanayev is defending well.

Sanayev has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Moreira escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Moreira!
Sanayev should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Moreira looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Sanayev is avoiding damage well.
Moreira passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Sanayev!
Sanayev is working to get back to half guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Sanayev has eaten all the pies!
Sanayev avoids a series of strikes thrown by Moreira.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moreira thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Moreira trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Moreira controlling from mount.
Sanayev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sanayev keeps trying to improve his position.
Moreira takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanayev is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Marat Sanayev will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Moreira lands with a good body shot.
Sanayev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sanayev avoids the head kick by Moreira.

Moreira closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Sanayev looking for submissions off his back.
Moreira trying to pass the guard but Sanayev defending well.
Moreira wants to get back to his feet.
Moreira knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sanayev on the ground.

Sanayev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanayev is staying active underneath Moreira, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Sanayev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sanayev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Moreira pulls his head out easily.

Sanayev looking for submissions off his back.
Sanayev is breathing heavily.
Moreira wants to pass to mount but Sanayev is defending the position.
Moreira controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreira is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sanayev!
Sanayev gets back to half guard.

Sanayev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sanayev looking for submissions off his back.

Sanayev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sanayev actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreira tries to pass to full mount but Sanayev defends it.

Sanayev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Moreira trying to control the pace.
Moreira not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Sanayev looking for submissions off his back.

Sanayev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sanayev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Moreira pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moreira not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Moreira keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Moreira is trying to work for a kimura but Sanayev is defending well.

Sanayev looking for a kimura from the bottom but Moreira passes into side control!
Sanayev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Moreira's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moreira performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Sanayev looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenildo Moreira dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Moreira shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Moreira was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Moreira decides to stand back up.

Moreira has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sanayev's coach down at Werewolf's cave was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Sanayev's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Moreira manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Moreira working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanayev.
Moreira wants to sweep but no luck.
Moreira utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sanayev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sanayev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreira utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Moreira lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sanayev!
Sanayev working to try and regain half guard.
Sanayev slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Sanayev actively working from the bottom here.
Sanayev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sanayev actively working from the bottom here.
Sanayev gets back to full guard.

Sanayev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Moreira can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreira stopping the sweep attempt from Sanayev.
Moreira 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.

Sanayev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sanayev throws his legs up looking for a submission but Moreira uses it to pass to side control.
Sanayev trying to remain calm as Moreira controls from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanayev tries to bench press Moreira off him but Moreira keeps the position.

Moreira has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Moreira scores with a takedown into Sanayev's guard.

Sanayev working for a triangle but Moreira defends it easily.

Moreira stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Moreira shoots in and bounces Sanayev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanayev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Moreira wanted to stand there but Sanayev had control of the position.

Sanayev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Moreira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sanayev is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

Moreira got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sanayev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Moreira has managed to get both his arms back between Sanayev's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marat Sanayev.
I think Sanayev 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marat Sanayev!
Marat Sanayev was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.