PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carl Sarmiento (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Natanael Lecube (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Sarmiento
vs
Lecube

175 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Atlantis

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carl Sarmiento!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Natanael Lecube!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Santiago Holmes and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lecube rushes Sarmiento and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sarmiento tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lecube smiles and moves away.

Lecube has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sarmiento drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lecube gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Sarmiento jumps guard and drags Lecube to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Lecube pushes down on Sarmiento's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lecube wants to take a breather but Sarmiento is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lecube missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sarmiento blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lecube.
Lecube stops Sarmiento from getting back to his feet.
Sarmiento definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Lecube not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lecube throwing shots but Sarmiento is blocking nicely.
Lecube missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Well, if Lecube 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.
Lecube not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lecube throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sarmiento wants to control but Lecube is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Lecube throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sarmiento holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lecube shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sarmiento defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sarmiento throws a good cross that connects.

It looks like Natanael Lecube has been cut.

Lecube rushes Sarmiento and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Sarmiento ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sarmiento no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lecube postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lecube with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lecube being controlled here momentarily.
Sarmiento working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lecube engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Lecube decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Lecube fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sarmiento, pushing him back against the cage.
Sarmiento throws a punch but it's blocked by Lecube.
Sarmiento is working for takedown but Lecube is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carl Sarmiento. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Lecube breaks from the clinch.
Lecube misses with a takedown attempt

and Sarmiento counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sarmiento.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Sarmiento goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lecube prevents it.

Lecube escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sarmiento fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lecube avoids it really well and circles away.

Lecube gets a clinch.

Lecube manages to break the clinch.

Lecube darts in and clinches Sarmiento up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lecube tightens his grip and picks Sarmiento up, before dumping him to the ground. Sarmiento manages to land in guard.
Lecube controlling from the top position.
Lecube trying to control the position from guard on top but Sarmiento is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Natanael Lecube dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Natanael Lecube's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lecube moves into range and clinches up with Sarmiento.
Sarmiento tries to circle away but Lecube has him pinned against the cage.
Sarmiento tries to pull guard but Lecube holds him up against the cage and eventually Sarmiento drops back down to his feet.

Sarmiento breaks the clinch.
Lecube will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Lecube rushes Sarmiento and presses him up against the cage.

Lecube gets control of Sarmiento's arms and successfully pulls guard. Lecube will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sarmiento trying to control but Lecube is working from the bottom.
Sarmiento lands a couple of elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lecube wants to improve his position but instead Sarmiento has moved into half guard.
Lecube regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarmiento trying to control the position from guard on top but Lecube is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sarmiento stopping the sweep attempt from Lecube.
Lecube is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sarmiento trying to control but Lecube is working from the bottom.
Sarmiento is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Natanael Lecube has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lecube looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lecube keeping moving, preventing Sarmiento from controlling successfully.
Lecube has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lecube pulls Sarmiento in to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lecube is breathing heavily.
Lecube fails to land with a series of punches.
Lecube pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lecube misses with a jab, cross combination.
Natanael Lecube seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lecube misses with a head kick.
Lecube stuffs the takedown.

Sarmiento gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sarmiento lands a left hand.
Sarmiento makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lecube has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sarmiento pushes off an throws an elbow but Lecube leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Sarmiento has hold of one of Lecube's legs. Lecube is fighting the takedown attempt but Sarmiento gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sarmiento 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarmiento makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sarmiento controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four 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.
Sarmiento trying to control but Lecube is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sarmiento controlling from the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lecube stuffs the takedown attempt from Sarmiento. Sarmiento gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carl Sarmiento. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sarmiento tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lecube defends well and Sarmiento ends up having to push Lecube into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lecube has picked Sarmiento up - he's going for a ride! Lecube dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Lecube is looking for a kimura but Sarmiento is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lecube to get the leverage.
Sarmiento has his hands clasped together around Lecube's back. He's all about the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Natanael Lecube will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Natanael Lecube's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Sarmiento throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lecube's waist but Lecube gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sarmiento off to one side.
Lecube scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Sarmiento tries to keep at a distance but Lecube has taken the fight into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Sarmiento manages to break the clinch.
Sarmiento defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lecube.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lecube has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sarmiento tries to pull guard but Lecube won't allow it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sarmiento as Lecube tries to tie him up.

Lecube breaks from the clinch.
Lecube shoots in looking for a takedown but Sarmiento manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lecube's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lecube takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarmiento slips a jab from Lecube.

Sarmiento clinches.
Sarmiento dodges an elbow strike from Lecube.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sarmiento.
Lecube tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sarmiento just stands there and leans against the cage.
Carl Sarmiento has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Natanael Lecube.
Lecube drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sarmiento gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lecube prevents a takedown attempt there.

Sarmiento breaks the clinch.

Lecube clinches.
Sarmiento drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lecube pulls his leg out and moves away.

Lecube clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarmiento gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lecube.

Sarmiento's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice sprawl there from Lecube as Sarmiento shoots in.
Sarmiento shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lecube but Lecube pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lecube shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sarmiento as he jumps to the side.

Lecube fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sarmiento, pushing him back against the cage.
Sarmiento pushes off an throws an elbow but Lecube leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sarmiento tries to score a body lock takedown but Lecube shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarmiento looking for a takedown.
Sarmiento misses with a hook to the ribs.
Natanael Lecube seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sarmiento on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Sarmiento lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lecube wants to control but Sarmiento is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lecube missing with punches from the bottom.
Sarmiento is nestled in close to Lecube, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sarmiento working over Lecube with some ground and pound. Lecube looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sarmiento prevents Lecube from improving his position.
Sarmiento seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lecube wants to get back to full guard.
Lecube tries to kick Sarmiento off but Sarmiento keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Carl Sarmiento has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sarmiento wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sarmiento moves in looking to clinch but Lecube pushes him off.
Sarmiento fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lecube tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Natanael Lecube is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Sarmiento fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lecube, pushing him back against the cage.

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 Carl Sarmiento.
Well Lecube has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 David Hoff scores the fight 28:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Natanael Lecube!