PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arzlan Bathory (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rod Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bathory comes to the cage accompanied by Brain Scan. Sanders has chosen Freddie Gibbs - Still Livin' as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bathory
vs
Sanders

186 cm
21
209 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

195 cm
21
217 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arzlan Bathory!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rod Sanders!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bathory scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sanders lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Arzlan Bathory has been cut.
Sanders fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bathory wants to land a leg kick but Sanders is out of range.

Sanders closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bathory to the mat! Bathory manages to get full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bathory pulls Sanders in close to his closed guard and prevents Sanders from doing any damage or advancing position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Sanders working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bathory tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bathory controls Sanders momentarily but Sanders frees himself.
Bathory throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Sanders pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bathory is keeping the position for now.
Bathory looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanders is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bathory has control of Sanders's left arm, preventing Sanders from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Arzlan Bathory just wasn't active enough.
Sanders moves out of range as Bathory throws a body kick.
Bathory tries to land a front kick but Sanders steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sanders takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bathory takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sanders with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A bone on bone clash there as Sanders blocks the leg kick.
Bathory throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanders thuds a left hand into Bathory's body.
Sanders checks a low kick from Bathory.
Sanders darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bathory fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanders manages to avoid it.
Sanders shoots in for a double leg but Bathory sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bathory lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sanders will feel that in the morning.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sanders.
Bathory connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Bathory gets caught napping as Sanders dives in and scores a takedown. Bathory manages to retain guard.
Bathory is trying to control the position but Sanders postures up.
Bathory manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sanders manages to get himself to full guard.
Bathory preventing the sweep.
Bathory wants to control from the top but Sanders keeps moving.
Bathory sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sanders's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bathory content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sanders.
Bathory controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bathory looking to pass the guard.
Sanders controls Bathory momentarily but Bathory frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bathory sitting in guard here, content to control.

We're going to have a standup here because Arzlan Bathory wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Bathory fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanders manages to avoid it.
Bathory lands a slapping body shot.
Sanders fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bathory avoids it really well and circles away.
Arzlan Bathory has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rod Sanders.
Bathory misses with a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanders. Bathory does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sanders misses with a leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Sanders. Beautiful body shot.
Sanders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
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 Arzlan Bathory will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Arzlan Bathory's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bathory just misses with a punch to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Sanders.
Bathory is looking to wear down Sanders with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Sanders shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bathory napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sanders in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bathory regains half guard.
Arzlan Bathory overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bathory is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sanders's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sanders's back!
I really don't envy Sanders right now.
Bathory biding his time, controlling Sanders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders is really stuck here.
Bathory controlling the position well here. Sanders rolled but Bathory kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Sanders is keeping busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Arzlan Bathory just wasn't active enough.
Sanders moves out of range as Bathory throws a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bathory connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sanders. Sanders circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sanders throws a jab when Bathory was well out of range.
Bathory throws a right hand that Sanders ducks under and follows up with a left that Sanders also avoids with ease.
Bathory misses with a body shot.
Bathory misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanders.
Sanders lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sanders throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Bathory counters with a low kick, right behind Sanders 's knee.
Rod Sanders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bathory throws a leg kick but Sanders moved away.
Sanders shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Arzlan Bathory is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bathory ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bathory ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Bathory misses the target.
Bathory throws a low kick, looking for Sanders's leg but Sanders calmly moves out of range.
Bathory misses with a kick to the body.
Sanders looks to land a body kick but Bathory moved away.
Sanders pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bathory looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bathory throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bathory throws a leg kick

and Sanders counters with a takedown into side control.
Bathory can't do much from the bottom here.
Bathory is trying to improve his position.
Sanders lands an elbow.
Sanders controlling the position from side mount.
Bathory manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bathory with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanders is trying to get back to full guard.
Bathory is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Bathory trying to pass the guard but Sanders defending well.
Sanders wants to improve his position but Bathory is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanders trying to control here.
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 Arzlan Bathory will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Arzlan Bathory's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sanders thumps Bathory with a low kick.
Sanders lands a nice shot to the body.
Bathory throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bathory checks a leg kick.
Sanders slips a jab from Bathory.
Sanders thuds his shin into the meat of Bathory's side.
Bathory 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.
Bathory throws a low kick but Sanders avoids it.
Sanders feints and then cracks Bathory's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bathory down.
Bathory checks the leg kick.
Sanders lands with an uppercut that bounces Bathory off the cage and back into range.
Sanders looks for a takedown but Bathory sprawls well.
Bathory works Sanders's body with a nice hook.
Bathory throws an overhand right that lands on Sanders's shoulder, as Sanders tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bathory keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sanders throws a hook but Bathory blocks it.
Bathory misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Sanders misses its intended target.
Nice uppercut lands for Bathory. That snapped Sanders's head back.
A shot to the liver by Bathory. Beautiful body shot.
Bathory scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown but Bathory shows good takedown defense.
Bathory looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bathory scores with a body shot.
Sanders fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bathory has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bathory throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bathory motions for Sanders to come forward. Bathory throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bathory takes one to the side of the head.
Bathory throws the kick towards the body but Sanders avoids it.
Sanders buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bathory swings for the body but Sanders moves out of range.
Bathory lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bathory throws a wild body kick that Sanders sees coming a mile off.
Bathory buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bathory cracks the inside of Sanders's front leg.
Sanders fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bathory looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bathory connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bathory swings for the body but Sanders moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sanders checks a leg kick.
Sanders on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sanders lands a body shot.
Bathory misses with a right hand

and Sanders decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bathory's guard.
Bathory looking for a sweep. Not yet Bathory, not yet.
Bathory utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bathory pulls Sanders in to control the position.
Bathory not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Arzlan Bathory wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sanders wants to slow Bathory down by chopping away at his legs.
Bathory throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sanders.
Sanders tests Bathory's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rod Sanders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanders throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bathory digs a good body shot into Sanders's ribs.
Bathory is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Bathory takes a swing at Sanders's ribcage but misses.
Bathory blocks the body kick.
Nice jab there from Sanders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bathory moves out of range as Sanders throws a body kick.
Bathory throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Bathory throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sanders goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
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!
Sanders misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sanders lands a nice looking body shot.
Bathory slaps away a takedown attempt from Sanders, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arzlan Bathory has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rod Sanders.
Sanders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanders listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sanders is looking to land body kicks.
Sanders throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bathory misses with a body kick.
Arzlan Bathory is winning the standup battle so far.
Sanders throws a chopping leg kick but Bathory manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Arzlan Bathory is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bathory takes a swing at Sanders's ribcage but misses.
Sanders moves out of range as Bathory throws a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rod Sanders.
Well Bathory has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arzlan Bathory!
Arzlan Bathory thanked the fans post fight for their support.