PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Felix Sandoval (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miguel Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sandoval's entrance music is Overseer - Slayed. A fine choice. Lopez has chosen Vamos as his entrance music. 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?

Sandoval
vs
Lopez

171 cm
34
158 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

181 cm
40
162 lbs
43 - 14 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Felix Sandoval!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 43 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Miguel Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sandoval seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Lopez goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
The fighters circling - Lopez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sandoval changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sandoval gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lopez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sandoval tries to clinch but Lopez is having none of it.
Lopez throws a lazy right hand but Sandoval sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sandoval misses with a takedown
and Lopez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sandoval has been working on his balance at Bruize Brothers, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Lopez.
Lopez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lopez lands with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Lopez.
Lopez throws a hook but Sandoval avoids it easily.

Sandoval fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Lopez to the ground. Sandoval is now in Lopez's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lopez wants to control the position but Sandoval says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sandoval lands a nice short elbow.
Lopez regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sandoval wants to control from the top but Lopez keeps moving.
Sandoval throws a big elbow that misses.

Lopez is looking for a triangle but Sandoval pushes his legs off easily.
Sandoval advances position into side control!
Lopez is trying to improve his position.
Lopez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Well, if Lopez 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is thwarting Sandoval's attempts to control the position.
Still in half guard, Lopez seems content to control.

Lopez stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Sandoval fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Felix Sandoval. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sandoval shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lopez's guard.
Sandoval throwing strikes from guard but Lopez blocks nicely.

Sandoval thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sandoval scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sandoval postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lopez wants to stand and escape but Sandoval is having none of it.
Lopez told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Sandoval keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lopez's head.
Lopez wants to sweep here but Sandoval controlling him for the moment.
Sandoval is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sandoval won't allow Lopez to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lopez has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Lopez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sandoval is one step ahead there.

Lopez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sandoval doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sandoval manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lopez pushes Sandoval off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Lopez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lopez misses with a wild body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Lopez there.
Sandoval throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lopez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lopez.

Sandoval rushes Lopez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Sandoval breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lopez.
Felix Sandoval seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sandoval shoots in for a takedown but Lopez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sandoval looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lopez is fending him off so far but Sandoval persists. Nope, Lopez circles away and we're back to standing.
Sandoval shoots in looking for a takedown but Lopez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sandoval's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Felix Sandoval. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez throws a head kick but Sandoval moves out of range.
Lopez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sandoval.

Sandoval feints and as Lopez raises his hands in defense, Sandoval changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Lopez kicks Sandoval off and gets to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sandoval throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandoval shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lopez as he jumps to the side.
Sandoval fails with a takedown attempt.
Lopez looks to land a combination but Sandoval avoids it well.
Sandoval throws a body shot but no joy.
Sandoval fails with the takedown
and Lopez counters with a stiff right hand.
Lopez's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Lopez duly obliges.
Sandoval shoots in and drives through. Lopez sprawls well.
Miguel Lopez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sandoval looks to land a combination. Lopez sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nice takedown defense from Lopez. No joy for Sandoval on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lopez with a jab.
Lopez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Sandoval closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lopez's guard.
Lopez trying to control the position.
Sandoval wants to control from the top but Lopez keeps moving.
Felix Sandoval overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lopez working a defensive guard here.
Lopez wants to control the position but Sandoval says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Sandoval landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sandoval content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is not content to let Sandoval control the position.
Lopez is looking to escape.
Sandoval is keen to just control but Lopez is a slippery customer.
Sandoval stops Lopez from getting back to his feet.
Sandoval is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Lopez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sandoval is nestled in close to Lopez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four 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.
Lopez wants to control but Sandoval passes into side.
Lopez is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Sandoval trying to control the action but Lopez is working from the bottom.
Sandoval working away.
Sandoval trying to control the action but Lopez is working from the bottom.
Sandoval landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Lopez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Sandoval shoots in for a takedown but Lopez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sandoval looks to land a right hand but Lopez moved out of range.
Sandoval shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lopez as he jumps to the side.
Jab by Lopez.
Sandoval shoots in for a takedown but Lopez shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Felix Sandoval. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lopez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sandoval.
Lopez lands with a good body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sandoval takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sandoval fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lopez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sandoval dives in and grabs Lopez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lopez pushes down on Sandoval's head and hops out.
Sandoval shoots in for a takedown but Lopez shows good takedown defense.
Sandoval throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lopez's waist but Lopez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sandoval off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandoval shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lopez throws a head kick that Sandoval semi-blocks.
Sandoval blocks the body kick.
Sandoval looks for a takedown but Lopez sprawls well.
Lopez cracks the inside of Sandoval's front leg.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sandoval is defended easily by Lopez.
Lopez throws a counter combo.
Sandoval is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lopez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lopez pushes Sandoval away with a front kick.
Sandoval gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lopez counters with a left and a right that stings Sandoval.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lopez pinned against the cage. Lopez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Miguel Lopez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lopez stuffs the takedown.
Sandoval shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lopez as he avoids it easily.
Lopez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lopez throws a sloppy head kick and Sandoval moves out of range easily.
Sandoval tries to counter by clinching up but Lopez breaks away and moves out of range.

Sandoval shoots in and bounces Lopez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sandoval wants to control from the top but Lopez keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez controls Sandoval momentarily but Sandoval frees himself.
Lopez is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Lopez has momentary wrist control but Sandoval slips an elbow through the middle.
Lopez wants to sweep here but Sandoval controlling him for the moment.
Felix Sandoval has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sandoval wants to control from the top but Lopez keeps moving.

Lopez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sandoval is aware though and is defending well.
Lopez trying to keep a closed guard but Sandoval is proving a slippery customer.

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.
Sandoval postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sandoval staying out of range there.
Lopez with a nice cross.
A big right from Sandoval misses.
Sandoval is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lopez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lopez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lopez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Sandoval counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sandoval.
Sandoval lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Lopez breaks the clinch.
Lopez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Miguel Lopez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sandoval looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miguel Lopez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lopez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miguel Lopez!
A determined Miguel Lopez didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!