PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Semir Vaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Semir Vaja has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sanchez
vs
Vaja

190 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Diego Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Semir Vaja!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vaja throws a right and a left that Sanchez avoids nicely.
Vaja tries to bum rush Sanchez with a series of wild strikes but Sanchez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vaja swinging wildly here.
Vaja throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sanchez.
Sanchez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Vaja.
Vaja goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Diego Sanchez has been cut.

Sanchez forces Vaja back against the cage and clinches.
Vaja tries a body shot but Sanchez blocks it.

Sanchez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vaja uses from the top position.
Sanchez has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Vaja must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vaja trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sanchez's guard.
Vaja is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's one minute gone in the round.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Vaja working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Sanchez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Sanchez has his feet on Vaja's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Sanchez lands with a good body shot.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a takedown but Vaja manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sanchez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Despite the aggression on Vaja's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vaja slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sanchez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Semir Vaja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanchez avoids the head kick by Vaja.
Vaja misses with a leg kick.
Vaja throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Sanchez stumbling backwards into the cage! Sanchez bounces back off the cage towards Vaja, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Vaja lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Vaja celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Semir Vaja!