PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoly Bazanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Estefan Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez has chosen Foo Fighters- My Hero as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Estefan Sanchez will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bazanov
vs
Sanchez

170 cm
24
205 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anatoly Bazanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Estefan Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bazanov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanchez swivels and escapes.
Sloppy strikes from Sanchez. Those never looked like landing.
Bazanov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A low kick from Sanchez is predictable there

and Bazanov counters with a shoot takedown. Sanchez fights it but they end up in guard.
Bazanov lands a couple of digs.
Bazanov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanchez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bazanov is controlling him.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov landing with the ground and pound.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bazanov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sanchez is pulling down on Bazanov's head to control his posture.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov connects with a couple of short punches.
Bazanov working some strikes from top position.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bazanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sanchez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bazanov is controlling him.
Sanchez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bazanov's guard.

Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bazanov controlling the position.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bazanov wants to sweep but no luck.
Bazanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bazanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sanchez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanchez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov has control of Sanchez's left arm, preventing Sanchez from doing any damage.
Bazanov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sanchez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bazanov wants to sweep here but Sanchez controlling him for the moment.
Bazanov controlling the position.
Sanchez throws a big right hand that misses.
Bazanov pulls Sanchez in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bazanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Sanchez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bazanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bazanov attempts a counter takedown but Sanchez avoids it well and moves away.
Sanchez scores with a nice right hand.
The fighters circling - Sanchez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Bazanov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sanchez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bazanov is in Sanchez's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Bazanov controlling him for the moment.
Sanchez wants to stand and escape but Bazanov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
Bazanov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanchez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sanchez is adopting a defensive guard.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanchez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bazanov manages to get himself to full guard.

Bazanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bazanov is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov landing with the ground and pound.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez wants to stand but Bazanov is controlling the position.
Bazanov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bazanov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sanchez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bazanov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sanchez trying to control the position.
Bazanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoly Bazanov dominated that round.
That's time! Bazanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sanchez throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bazanov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sanchez sprawls and moves away.
Sanchez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bazanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bazanov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bazanov looks for a takedown but Sanchez sprawls well.
Bazanov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanchez.
Sanchez misses with a hook. Bazanov ducked under it nicely.

Bazanov shoots in and bounces Sanchez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bazanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez wants to stand and escape but Bazanov is having none of it.
Sanchez controlling the position.
Sanchez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bazanov manages to get himself to full guard.

Bazanov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bazanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
Sanchez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bazanov's guard.
Sanchez tries to free his leg and advance position but Bazanov is retaining full guard.
Sanchez trying to control but Bazanov is working from the bottom.
Bazanov wants to sweep here but Sanchez controlling him for the moment.
Bazanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bazanov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sanchez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sanchez trying to keep a closed guard but Bazanov is proving a slippery customer.
Bazanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bazanov is working Sanchez over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bazanov landing with the ground and pound.
Bazanov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanchez trying to keep a closed guard but Bazanov is proving a slippery customer.
Bazanov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Anatoly Bazanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanchez pulls Bazanov in close to his closed guard and prevents Bazanov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Bazanov controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov postures up in Sanchez's guard and throws a big left but Sanchez blocks it.

Sanchez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bazanov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bazanov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sanchez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bazanov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sanchez's head.
Sanchez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bazanov preventing the sweep.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanchez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bazanov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bazanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sanchez can do to turn this around?
Bazanov stops Sanchez from standing up.
Sanchez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov connects with a couple of short punches.
Bazanov postures up and lands a big shot to Sanchez's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bazanov throwing strikes from guard but Sanchez blocks nicely.
Sanchez is trying to control the position but Bazanov postures up.
Sanchez is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov won't allow Sanchez to sweep him here.
Sanchez is still trying to improve position.
Bazanov distracts Sanchez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bazanov stopping the sweep attempt from Sanchez.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bazanov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanchez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Bazanov works over Sanchez with some ground and pound from guard.
Bazanov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoly Bazanov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! 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.

Bazanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sanchez's waist but Sanchez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bazanov off to one side.
Sanchez stuffs the takedown attempt from Bazanov. Bazanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanchez throws a right and a left that Bazanov avoids nicely.
Sanchez lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bazanov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sanchez.
Bazanov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sanchez as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bazanov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Sanchez finds it's way through Bazanov's defenses.
Sanchez lands a right hook to the body.

Bazanov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sanchez to the ground. Bazanov is now in Sanchez's guard.
Bazanov is in close to Sanchez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez has control of Bazanov's left arm, preventing Bazanov from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanchez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bazanov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sanchez is on top in guard.

Bazanov managing to control the position.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Bazanov keeps moving.
Sanchez is looking to stand up but Bazanov won't let him.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bazanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bazanov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bazanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bazanov controls Sanchez momentarily but Sanchez frees himself.
Sanchez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Anatoly Bazanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bazanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bazanov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanchez.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bazanov keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sanchez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sanchez lands with a straight right. Bazanov didn't see that one coming.
Estefan Sanchez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sanchez tries a head kick but it misses.
Sanchez leaves Bazanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sanchez is looking for a sweep. Bazanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bazanov in particular looking to stall.
Bazanov prevents Sanchez from improving his position.
Bazanov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.
Sanchez keeps trying to improve his position.
Bazanov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sanchez is trying to stand.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bazanov is controlling the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bazanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sanchez tries to avoid it but Bazanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sanchez to the ground. Sanchez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sanchez misses with a straight left.
Sanchez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bazanov moves away.
Bazanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Sanchez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bazanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sanchez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bazanov fails with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Estefan Sanchez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bazanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anatoly Bazanov!