PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Torrelio Sacana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christo Stoichkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stoichkov has chosen 2pac-Tupac EveryThing They Owe as his entrance music. Christo Stoichkov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sacana
vs
Stoichkov

200 cm
28
224 lbs
24 - 8 - 0

196 cm
33
137 lbs
25 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent

Project Mayhem
Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 24 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Torrelio Sacana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Christo Stoichkov!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stoichkov misses with an uppercut.
A good leg kick by Stoichkov.
Stoichkov throws a leg kick but Sacana sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sacana half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Stoichkov. Those never looked like landing.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sacana or perhaps it was just good defense by Stoichkov, which made it look bad.
Stoichkov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stoichkov misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoichkov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stoichkov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stoichkov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A leg kick checked by Sacana.
Christo Stoichkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sacana dives in for a single leg takedown but Stoichkov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stoichkov wants to slow Sacana down by chopping away at his legs.
Sacana drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stoichkov sprawls and moves away.
Stoichkov stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Torrelio Sacana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stoichkov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sacana shoots in but Stoichkov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sacana.
Stoichkov tries a quick counter leg kick but Sacana is wise to it.
Stoichkov delivers a nice body kick.
Stoichkov's coach down at ELITE University of Hard Knocks was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Stoichkov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sacana doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stoichkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Sacana looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Stoichkov!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stoichkov sneaks back into half guard.
Stoichkov is not content to let Sacana control the position.
Sacana is looking to stall here but Stoichkov recovers full guard.
Sacana throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoichkov keeping moving, preventing Sacana from controlling successfully.
Stoichkov seems keen to control Sacana's posture.
Sacana is looking to work some ground and pound but Stoichkov has wrist control.
Sacana stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stoichkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sacana is looking to pass into half guard but Stoichkov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Stoichkov is in guard.

Sacana seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Stoichkov stopping the sweep attempt from Sacana.
Stoichkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoichkov stopping the sweep attempt from Sacana.

Stoichkov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sacana has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stoichkov has managed to get both his arms back between Sacana's legs - danger averted.
Stoichkov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stoichkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Stoichkov wants to pass the guard but Sacana is keeping the position.

Sacana has an active guard here but Stoichkov has managed to pass into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stoichkov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sacana checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sacana on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stoichkov looks to land a right hand but Sacana moved out of range.
Sacana appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Stoichkov as Sacana shoots in.
Stoichkov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Stoichkov throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sacana counters with a takedown into side control.
Sacana in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sacana landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sacana in side control lands a decent elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sacana throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Stoichkov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Sacana is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stoichkov has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sacana throwing shots but Stoichkov is blocking nicely.
Sacana prevents Stoichkov from improving his position.
Sacana wants to pass to mount but Stoichkov is defending the position.
Sacana is trying to control. Stoichkov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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.
Sacana sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stoichkov defending well though.
Stoichkov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sacana's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sacana's back!
Sacana tries to break free.
Stoichkov is trying to stick to Sacana's back but Sacana is turning into Stoichkov. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Stoichkov's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sacana.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Stoichkov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Stoichkov is pulling down on Sacana's head. It's preventing any offense from Sacana, at least for the moment.
Sacana trying to control the position from guard on top but Stoichkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sacana throws a big right hand that misses.
Sacana throws a big elbow that misses.
Stoichkov seems keen to control Sacana's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sacana is looking to work some ground and pound but Stoichkov has wrist control.
Sacana trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stoichkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Stoichkov is trying to control the position but Sacana postures up.
Sacana passes Stoichkov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sacana throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Sacana is looking for a kimura but Stoichkov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sacana to get the leverage.
Sacana wants to pass to mount but Stoichkov is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sacana thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sacana is trying to control the action in half guard but Stoichkov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sacana performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sacana shoots in looking for a takedown but Stoichkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sacana's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stoichkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sacana moves away.
Stoichkov throws a big shot that misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stoichkov.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stoichkov lands a jab to the nose.
Stoichkov thuds a left hand into Sacana's body.
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 Torrelio Sacana will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sacana slips a straight right by Stoichkov.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sacana or perhaps it was just good defense by Stoichkov, which made it look bad.
Stoichkov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sacana.
Stoichkov with a nice cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Stoichkov.
Stoichkov throws a poor cross that misses

and Sacana counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stoichkov is trying to stand up here but Sacana is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sacana wants to pass to mount but Stoichkov is defending the position.
Sacana 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.
Sacana seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stoichkov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sacana tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stoichkov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Stoichkov tries to get to full guard but Sacana has control of the leg.
Stoichkov wants to control but Sacana is keeping busy.
Stoichkov works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two 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.
Stoichkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stoichkov trying to control the position here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Stoichkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sacana manages to get himself to full guard.

Sacana has a closed guard, preventing Stoichkov from standing up.
Stoichkov won't allow Sacana to sweep him here.

Sacana is looking for a triangle but Stoichkov pushes his legs off easily.

Stoichkov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoichkov throws a leg kick but Sacana sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sacana has his takedown stuffed
and Stoichkov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Torrelio Sacana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stoichkov.
Stoichkov throws a looping overhand right but Sacana ducks down to avoid it.
Sacana dives in for a single leg takedown but Stoichkov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stoichkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Stoichkov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Stoichkov throws a lazy right hand but Sacana sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoichkov throws a hook but Sacana blocks it.
Stoichkov misses with an uppercut. Sacana saw that one coming.
Sacana tries to counter with a takedown but Stoichkov is quick to defend against it.
Sacana looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stoichkov scoring well with a low kick there.
Stoichkov lands with a nice combination. Sacana backs away looking to recover.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sacana fails with the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christo Stoichkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stoichkov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christo Stoichkov!
Christo Stoichkov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Torrelio Sacana was interviewed post fight and said 'I blame my loss on the current economic crisis'.