PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcello Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Leissner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leissner is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Mohammed's theme. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sanchez
vs
Leissner

183 cm
29
186 lbs
10 - 19 - 0

188 cm
33
184 lbs
16 - 11 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Jihad Fight Gear-Outkast Infidels Version

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 10 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcello Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Gabriel Leissner!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Leissner.
Leissner connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sanchez or perhaps it was just good defense by Leissner, which made it look bad.
Sanchez misses with a takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Leissner lands a jab.

Sanchez feints and as Leissner raises his hands in defense, Sanchez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Leissner pulls Sanchez in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leissner is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Leissner keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leissner is on top in guard.

Leissner engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Leissner wants to pass the guard but Sanchez is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leissner landing with the ground and pound.
Leissner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leissner is stalling in the full guard.
Leissner passes Sanchez's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Leissner is trying to control the action in half guard but Sanchez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Leissner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Well, if Leissner is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sanchez keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Sanchez is trying to get back to full guard.
Sanchez trying to control from the bottom.
Leissner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Leissner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sanchez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Leissner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sanchez wants to control but Leissner is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez with a poor takedown
and Leissner counters with a straight right hand.
Leissner has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcello Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leissner misses with a looping left.

Leissner shoots in and gets a takedown into Sanchez's guard.
Leissner wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Leissner looking to sit in guard and control but Sanchez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Leissner wants to sweep but no luck.
Leissner is trying to control the position but Sanchez postures up.
Leissner wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanchez is looking to work some ground and pound but Leissner has wrist control.
Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Leissner is trying to control the position but Sanchez postures up.
Sanchez stopping the sweep attempt from Leissner.
Sanchez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is in close to Leissner's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Leissner pulls Sanchez in close to his closed guard and prevents Sanchez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sanchez works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Leissner manages to get to full guard.
Leissner keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.

Sanchez drops back looking for a leg! Leissner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Leissner manages to kick Sanchez off! Sanchez jumps back into Leissner's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leissner seems keen to control Sanchez's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Leissner dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The crowd cheers as Leissner lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sanchez doesn't seem phased though.
Sanchez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leissner throws out the jab.
Gabriel Leissner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Leissner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sanchez.
Leissner is looking to chop away at Sanchez's legs.
Sanchez misses with a takedown
and Leissner counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sanchez thinking.
Sanchez misses with a wild body shot.
Sanchez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Leissner misses with an uppercut
and Sanchez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sanchez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Leissner counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sanchez's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcello Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leissner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanchez was well out of range. Poor timing from Leissner.
Leissner misses with a hook. Sanchez ducked under it nicely.
Leissner ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Leissner misses with a hook.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt - Leissner sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leissner misses the jab.
Sanchez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Leissner counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sanchez thinking.
Sanchez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice takedown defense from Leissner. No joy for Sanchez on that attempt.

Leissner closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sanchez to the mat! Sanchez manages to get full guard.
Leissner throws a big elbow that misses.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Leissner from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leissner postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sanchez trying to control the position.
Leissner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gabriel Leissner has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leissner with a nice head shot there.
Leissner is pushing down on Sanchez's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sanchez is fighting to maintain full guard but Leissner has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sanchez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Leissner.
Sanchez tries to kick Leissner off but Leissner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Leissner thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sanchez is not content to let Leissner control the position.
Sanchez tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sanchez is trying to escape back to his feet but Leissner uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Leissner is looking to take a break and control but Sanchez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to escape but Leissner is in control.
Sanchez manages to get back to half guard.
Sanchez is in trouble now - Leissner has advanced to mount!
Leissner has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Sanchez's face.
Leissner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sanchez is looking to get to half guard.
Sanchez is squirming around, avoiding Leissner's attempts to control the action.
Sanchez is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leissner scoring with strikes but Sanchez is staying in there.
Leissner controlling the pace for now.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Leissner cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Leissner lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Sanchez takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Leissner lands a big shot there that rocks Sanchez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sanchez is trying to escape the mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leissner putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Leissner controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Leissner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sanchez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sanchez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leissner pinned against the cage. Leissner gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Leissner misses with a body shot
and Sanchez counters with a two punch combo.
Sanchez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Leissner.
Jab, jab by Leissner - just one landing.
Leissner throws an off balance right hand

and Sanchez counters with a shoot takedown. Leissner fights it but they end up in guard.
Leissner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sanchez manages to get himself to full guard.

Sanchez trying to control the position here.
Leissner passes into half guard.
Sanchez is refusing to be controlled, as Leissner sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leissner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanchez holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Leissner trying to mount his opponent but Sanchez defends it.
Leissner is keen to just control but Sanchez is a slippery customer.
Sanchez tries to kick Leissner off but Leissner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sanchez is not content to let Leissner control the position.
Leissner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Leissner trying to pass the guard but Sanchez defending well.
Leissner wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
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. Leissner connects with a nice short shot to Sanchez's temple.
Leissner passes the guard and advances to mount!
A nice elbow there by Leissner.
Sanchez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sanchez tries to reverse the position but Leissner maintains control.
Sanchez wants to control but Leissner is having none of it.
Leissner wants to control the pace but Sanchez is squirming around nicely.
Sanchez wants to control but Leissner is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leissner landing strikes, looking to finish!
Leissner throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Sanchez sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.
Leissner is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Sanchez is squirming around, avoiding Leissner's attempts to control the action.
Sanchez working to try and regain half guard.
Sanchez is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leissner lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Sanchez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sanchez is working hard here to advance position.
Leissner lands a big shot there that rocks Sanchez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Sanchez is rocked!
Leissner controlling the pace for now.
Oh Sanchez is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Leissner unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Sanchez wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Leissner celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gabriel Leissner!
Post fight, an emotional Gabriel Leissner said 'Islam is NOT a fucking religion of peace'.