PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Javier Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Petrovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Sanchez
vs
Petrovic

178 cm
28
160 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
27
160 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Javier Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Scott Petrovic!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Petrovic moves into the clinch.

Petrovic jumps guard.
Sanchez looking to pass the guard.
Petrovic throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Petrovic is keeping the position for now.
Sanchez lands a couple of digs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Petrovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Petrovic can do anything to dispel that myth.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Petrovic is on top in guard.

Petrovic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Petrovic throwing strikes from guard but Sanchez blocks nicely.
Petrovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Petrovic trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
Petrovic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sanchez has momentary wrist control but Petrovic slips an elbow through the middle.
Sanchez trying to control the position here.
Petrovic is looking to work some ground and pound but Sanchez has wrist control.
Petrovic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Petrovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanchez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Sanchez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Petrovic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic throwing strikes but missing.
Sanchez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Petrovic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Petrovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Petrovic postures up and lands a big shot to Sanchez's brow.
Petrovic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Petrovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Petrovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanchez has momentary wrist control but Petrovic slips an elbow through the middle.
Petrovic with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Sanchez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Petrovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez has a closed guard, preventing Petrovic from standing up.
Petrovic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Petrovic won't allow Sanchez to sweep him here.
Petrovic working some strikes from top position.
Petrovic lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Petrovic lands a couple of elbows.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Petrovic defends well.
Petrovic with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic postures up in Sanchez's guard and throws a big left but Sanchez blocks it.
Petrovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet.
Petrovic working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sanchez's head.
Petrovic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Petrovic lands a couple of elbows.
Petrovic throws a big right hand that misses.
Petrovic passes Sanchez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Petrovic not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Petrovic throwing shots but Sanchez is blocking nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Petrovic thows a huge punch but Sanchez dodges it nicely.
Petrovic thows a huge punch but Sanchez dodges it nicely.
Sanchez looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Petrovic dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Petrovic rushes Sanchez and presses him up against the cage.
Sanchez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Petrovic manages to pull guard.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Petrovic keeps moving.
Sanchez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Petrovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petrovic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Petrovic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Petrovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Petrovic scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez trying to control here.
Petrovic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Petrovic slips a nice elbow through Sanchez's hands, connecting with Sanchez's forehead.
Petrovic prevents Sanchez from improving his position.
Petrovic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sanchez's head.
Petrovic takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sanchez tries to roll over but Petrovic keeps him under control.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back.
Petrovic lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sanchez's head.
Petrovic drops an elbow to the side of Sanchez's head.
Sanchez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Petrovic.
Petrovic looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Petrovic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sanchez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Petrovic connects with a couple of short punches.
Petrovic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Petrovic can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Petrovic lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic throws an elbow that misses. Sanchez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Petrovic's guard. Nice move by Sanchez!

Petrovic trying to control the position.
Sanchez lands a couple of elbows.
Petrovic 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.
Petrovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sanchez won't allow Petrovic to sweep him here.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Helsinki inform us that Petrovic has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Petrovic lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sanchez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Petrovic is aware though and is defending well.
Sanchez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Petrovic.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Petrovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanchez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Petrovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Petrovic lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Petrovic throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sanchez has an active guard here but Petrovic has managed to pass into half guard.

Petrovic is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sanchez is just riding it out for now. Petrovic eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Petrovic 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. This is the final round!

Petrovic looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but Petrovic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've been told by Sanchez's head coaches at The Fortress that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Petrovic rushes Sanchez and presses him up against the cage.
Petrovic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sanchez pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Petrovic gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Sanchez looks like he's trying to stand up.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back.
Scott Petrovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petrovic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Petrovic looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrovic looks to land a strike but Sanchez avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Petrovic defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Petrovic scoring with some ground and pound.
Petrovic postures up and lands a big shot to Sanchez's brow.
Petrovic cracks Sanchez with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Petrovic is one step ahead there.
Sanchez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Petrovic with a nice head shot there.
Petrovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Petrovic from controlling successfully.
Sanchez is trying to control the position but Petrovic postures up.
Petrovic throws a big elbow that misses.
Petrovic chips away with some ground and pound.
Sanchez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Sanchez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Petrovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Petrovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Petrovic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Petrovic works over Sanchez with some ground and pound from guard.
Petrovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanchez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Petrovic postures up in Sanchez's guard and throws a big left but Sanchez blocks it.

Sanchez looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Petrovic has picked Sanchez up and slammed him! Sanchez can't keep hold of the triangle and Petrovic manages to pass to side control!
Sanchez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Petrovic wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Petrovic is putting a hurting on Sanchez here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sanchez is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic in side control lands a decent elbow.
Petrovic connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Sanchez some visible discomfort.
Sanchez tries to improve position but can't.
Sanchez taking a bit of punishment here - Petrovic scoring with strikes.
Petrovic landing strikes.
Petrovic scores with a couple of short elbows.
Petrovic works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Sanchez struggling a bit here.
Petrovic is putting a hurting on Sanchez here, landing some big shots from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Petrovic in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Petrovic trying to control the position but Sanchez is working away.
Javier Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Scott Petrovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Petrovic lands some shots froms side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Petrovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Petrovic 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Petrovic!
Scott Petrovic decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.