PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Terrence Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Altemio Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thornton comes to the cage accompanied by Pusha T - Exodus 23:1. The crowd seem to be enjoying Sanchez's choice of entrance music: I Wanna Fuck You In The Ass. Altemio Sanchez has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Terrence Thornton's chin.

Thornton
vs
Sanchez

187 cm
25
176 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

150 cm
25
175 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Sex Panther!

Dissolution Fight Wear
Perkele!

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Terrence Thornton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Altemio Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thornton scores with a nice head shot.
Thornton throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Thornton fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sanchez on the side of the head.

Thornton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thornton lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Altemio Sanchez has been cut.
Thornton stops a takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Thornton.
Thornton misses with some punches.
Thornton tries to throw a body punch but Sanchez avoids it by throwing Thornton back against the cage.
Thornton is pressed up against the cage. Sanchez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thornton down to the mat. Thornton avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thornton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thornton scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Thornton moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanchez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Thornton tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sanchez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good leg kick by Thornton there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A jab lands there for Thornton.
Thornton tries to clinch there but Sanchez circles away.
Sanchez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Thornton defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton misses with a kick to the body

and Sanchez counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thornton!
Sanchez trying to control the position but Thornton is working away.
Thornton tries to improve position but can't.
Sanchez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Thornton sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Thornton is trying to control Sanchez's posture but Sanchez avoids it.
Sanchez is looking to take a break and control but Thornton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thornton tries to bench press Sanchez off him but Sanchez keeps the position.
Thornton gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thornton controlling the position well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thornton is controlling Sanchez's trapped leg to prevent Sanchez from advancing to side control.
Sanchez throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Thornton to regain full guard.
Sanchez wants to pass the guard but Thornton is keeping the position.
Sanchez being controlled here momentarily.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Thornton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thornton is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sanchez postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton just misses with a punch to the body.
Thornton swings widly with a right hand

so Sanchez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thornton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Thornton keeps moving.
Thornton is trying to keep Sanchez in close.
Thornton keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.
Thornton wants to sweep here but Sanchez controlling him for the moment.
Thornton working a defensive guard here.
Thornton can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sanchez controls the pace.
Thornton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanchez with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sanchez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sanchez preventing the sweep.
Thornton trying to control the position.
Sanchez throwing strikes from guard but Thornton blocks nicely.
Thornton can't keep his opponent in guard - Sanchez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sanchez passes the guard and advances to mount!
Sanchez pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sanchez with shots to the head and body - Thornton looks very uncomfortable down there.
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!
Thornton working to try and regain half guard.
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 Terrence Thornton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Altemio Sanchez's cut.
That's time! Thornton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thornton looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.

Sanchez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sanchez throws an elbow that misses. Thornton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sanchez's guard. Nice move by Thornton!

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thornton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thornton won't allow Sanchez to sweep him here.
Sanchez controls Thornton momentarily but Thornton frees himself.
Thornton lands a couple of elbows.
Thornton controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thornton is one step ahead there.
Sanchez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thornton's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sanchez manages to get himself to full guard.

Thornton wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Sanchez pulls Thornton in close to his closed guard and prevents Thornton from doing any damage or advancing position.
Thornton makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thornton is looking to work some ground and pound but Sanchez has wrist control.
Sanchez is adopting a defensive guard.
Thornton postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Thornton stopping the sweep attempt from Sanchez.
Thornton postures up and lands a big shot to Sanchez's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
Thornton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet.
Sanchez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sanchez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sanchez is thwarting Thornton's attempts to control the position.
Thornton is pressing down on Sanchez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sanchez with a nice head shot there.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Thornton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thornton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sanchez is looking for a sweep. Thornton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is looking to control Thornton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sanchez avoid being mounted?
Sanchez wants to improve his position but Thornton is controlling well.
Thornton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sanchez is not content to let Thornton control the position.
Sanchez gets back to full guard.
Thornton lands a couple of elbows.
Sanchez looking to control but Thornton passes into half guard.
Sanchez trying to hold on to Thornton's head to control him but Thornton postures up.
Thornton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez trying to hold on to Thornton's head to control him but Thornton postures up.
Altemio Sanchez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thornton 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.
Sanchez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thornton is working away from the top position though.
Thornton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sanchez tries to get to full guard but Thornton has control of the leg.
Sanchez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thornton throwing strikes but missing.
Thornton lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thornton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
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 Terrence Thornton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Altemio Sanchez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Thornton lands a jab.
Thornton smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Thornton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a takedown but Thornton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sanchez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sanchez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanchez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Thornton lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sanchez.
A slow jab from Thornton misses its intended target.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Terrence Thornton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Altemio Sanchez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez fails to land the takedown.
Nice body punch from Thornton.
Thornton is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sanchez is defended easily by Thornton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton lands a slapping body shot.
Nice body punch from Thornton.
Thornton throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looks like Thornton has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt - Thornton sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thornton swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sanchez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Thornton napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Thornton can't do much from the bottom here.
Thornton taking a bit of punishment here - Sanchez scoring with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton tries to improve position but can't.
Thornton is holding Sanchez down, trying to stall.
Thornton is not content to let Sanchez control the position.
Thornton takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Sanchez lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Thornton down.
Sanchez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thornton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sanchez misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sanchez scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thornton to see if he's OK.
Thornton avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sanchez.
Thornton is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton is not content to let Sanchez control the position.
Sanchez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thornton prevents Sanchez from improving position.
Thornton takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Altemio Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thornton is not content to let Sanchez control the position.
Thornton sneaks back into half guard.
Thornton trying to hold on to Sanchez's head to control him but Sanchez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sanchez lands a nice short elbow.

Sanchez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thornton has managed to free his arm - good work.
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. Sanchez connects with a nice short shot to Thornton's temple.
Sanchez is pressing down on Thornton's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thornton is holding on for now.
Thornton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sanchez is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanchez is trying to control. Thornton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Terrence Thornton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thornton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sanchez is working away from the top position though.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Terrence Thornton.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thornton, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Terrence Thornton!
After the big win, Terrence Thornton made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Sex Panther! and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
Altemio Sanchez spoke after the fight, saying 'vittupillusaatana!'.