PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tad Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aziz Rahali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tad Sanders has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Sanders
vs
Rahali

209 cm
25
151 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

191 cm
23
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tad Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aziz Rahali!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rahali shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rahali was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Sanders throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Rahali gets a clinch.
Rahali lands a body shot.
Sanders is trying to pull guard but Rahali turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Rahali breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders blocks a jab.
Sanders tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Rahali manages to circle out of the way.

Rahali gets the takedown into side control.
Rahali advances nicely into full mount.
Sanders really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rahali swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Sanders is now in Rahali's guard. A big mistake from Rahali there, giving up the dominant position!
Rahali is adopting a defensive guard.

Rahali working for a triangle but Sanders defends it easily.
Rahali wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanders lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sanders is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sanders stops Rahali from standing up.
Sanders preventing the sweep.
Rahali has Sanders pulled in close to control his posture.
Rahali is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sanders wants to control from the top but Rahali keeps moving.
Rahali is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sanders stops Rahali from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rahali is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sanders defends well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sanders tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rahali defends well and Sanders ends up having to push Rahali into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Rahali has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rahali gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Sanders regains guard.

Sanders scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Sanders shoots in but Rahali avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tad Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rahali changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sanders looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Sanders sneaks out the side door and pushes Rahali away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rahali has Sanders up against the cage in a clinch.
Rahali will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sanders up against the cage.
Sanders is trying to pull guard but Rahali has him pressed against the cage.
Sanders tries to pull guard but Rahali won't allow it.

Rahali works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Rahali trying to control but Sanders is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sanders has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rahali can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aziz Rahali dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rahali fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sanders, pushing him back against the cage.
Sanders tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rahali smiles and moves away.
Rahali has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rahali scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahali misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanders is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Rahali.

Rahali takes the fight into the clinch.
Sanders misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rahali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rahali shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rahali was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sanders defending against the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanders tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rahali stands up and beckons Sanders to his feet.
Rahali misses with a body shot
and Sanders counters with a three punch combo that has Rahali backing up. Rahali nods at Sanders to acknowledge the strikes.

Rahali closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sanders's guard.
Sanders is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Rahali from controlling successfully.
Rahali controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rahali works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahali is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sanders!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanders regains half guard.
Sanders wants to improve his position but Rahali is controlling well.
Sanders keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rahali is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Rahali goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sanders is on top in guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sanders shoots in looking for a takedown. Rahali tries to sprawl out of it but Sanders keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rahali manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanders sets himself, and Rahali steps forward looking for the clinch! Sanders avoids it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Rahali closes the distance and clinches.

Rahali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rahali drives through and clinches with Sanders against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Rahali manages to break the clinch.
Rahali rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sanders moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aziz Rahali showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sanders jumps guard but Rahali stands there with Sanders around his waist. Sanders gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sanders has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sanders tries to score a body lock takedown but Rahali shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sanders tries to break free but Rahali pushes him back against the cage.

Rahali has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Sanders is trying to keep an underhook but Rahali manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Sanders has one foot on Rahali's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rahali throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sanders.
Aziz Rahali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rahali is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sanders's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Rahali jumps into side control!
Sanders wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Rahali advances to mount.
Rahali punching from mount but Sanders doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Rahali wants to control the pace but Sanders is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rahali thowing shots but they're missing.
Sanders avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rahali.
Sanders is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Rahali goes for an armbar but Sanders turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sanders.
Rahali is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sanders has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rahali looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Sanders has picked Rahali up and slammed him! Rahali can't keep hold of the triangle and Sanders manages to pass to side control!
Rahali takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sanders decides to stand up, so the ref orders Rahali to his feet.

Rahali looking to score a takedown here. Sanders is defending well but Rahali drives through and ends up in Sanders's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Sanders manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Rahali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sanders is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rahali sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rahali is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tad Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Sanders with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rahali shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sanders manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Rahali from controlling successfully.

Sanders working for a triangle but Rahali defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rahali stays in close to Sanders's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aziz Rahali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rahali 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aziz Rahali!