PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Estefan Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neil Gilas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez comes to the cage accompanied by Foo Fighters- My Hero. Gilas has chosen Remember The Name - Fort Minor as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sanchez
vs
Gilas

195 cm
33
218 lbs
13 - 19 - 1

176 cm
26
213 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 13 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Estefan Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Neil Gilas!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gilas changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Sanchez pushes Gilas up against the cage in a clinch.
Gilas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sanchezs head.
Gilas blocks the elbow strike.
Sanchez trying to control the position but instead, Gilas has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sanchez into the cage.
Gilas lands a left hand.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gilas or perhaps it was just good defense by Sanchez, which made it look bad.

Sanchez closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez misses with a leg kick

and Gilas decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sanchez's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanchez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilas is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gilas manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sanchez postures up in Gilas's guard and throws a big left but Gilas blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gilas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gilas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Gilas keeps moving.
Gilas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sanchez's guard.

Gilas trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanchez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gilas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sanchez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gilas has managed to get both his arms back between Sanchez's legs - danger averted.
Gilas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gilas with a nice head shot there.
Gilas throws an elbow that misses. Sanchez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gilas's guard. Nice move by Sanchez!

Gilas 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.
Sanchez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sanchez looking to sit in guard and control but Gilas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gilas chips away with some ground and pound.
Sanchez wants to stand but Gilas is controlling the position.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gilas postures up in Sanchez's guard and throws a big left but Sanchez blocks it.
Gilas postures up and lands a big shot to Sanchez's brow.
Sanchez definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Gilas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gilas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gilas lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gilas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Gilas controlling him for the moment.
Gilas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gilas working some strikes from top position.
Sanchez 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.
Gilas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sanchez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gilas stops Sanchez from standing up.
Gilas distracts Sanchez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gilas landing some decent shots from guard.
Gilas scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sanchez wants to stand and escape but Gilas is having none of it.
Gilas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gilas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sanchez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gilas with a nice head shot there.
Gilas lands a couple of elbows.
Sanchez pulls Gilas in to control the position.
Sanchez working a defensive guard here.
Gilas lands a couple of digs.
Gilas is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Gilas dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sanchez misses with a wild combination.
Sanchez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gilas.
Estefan Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez misses with an uppercut.
Sanchez throws a hook but Gilas blocks it.
Gilas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sanchez throws a right hand that Gilas ducks under and follows up with a left that Gilas also avoids with ease.

Gilas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gilas is struggling to control the position.
Sanchez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez is looking to break free of the clinch but Gilas has double underhooks.
Sanchez creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sanchez lands a jab-cross combination.
Gilas moves out of range as Sanchez throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with a double jab.
Estefan Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gilas misses with a looping right.
Gilas tries to clinch up.
Sanchez swinging wildly here.
Gilas misses with a head kick.
Gilas misses with a takedown attempt - Sanchez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sanchez misses with a double jab

and Gilas holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gilas struggles to land a body shot inside as Sanchez controls his hands.
A body shot lands from Gilas.
Sanchez jumps guard but Gilas stands there with Sanchez around his waist. Sanchez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sanchez fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gilas lands a nice uppercut.
Sanchez looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sanchez wants to get back to striking at distance but Gilas won't allow it.
Gilas keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sanchez's efforts to push away.
Sanchez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gilas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanchez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gilas has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Sanchez seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Gilas can turn it around.
Sanchez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gilas has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Gilas.
Gilas stalling.
Gilas scores with a hook to the body.
Gilas lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez prevents the takedown attempt.
Sanchez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sanchez leaning against his opponent.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gilas.
Sanchez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Estefan Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sanchez fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gilas checks it well.
Estefan Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gilas scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sanchez throws a jab but it's blocked by Gilas.
Gilas scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sanchez throws a leg kick
and Gilas counters with a good low kick that Sanchez was not able to check.

Gilas gets a clinch.
The referee calls for Sanchez to work.
Gilas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gilas lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gilas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gilas lands a shot to the body.
Gilas slows down the pace here.
Gilas lands a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez pushes off an throws an elbow but Gilas leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gilas throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gilas pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gilas is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The referee is keeping an eye on Gilas - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The crowd are getting on Gilas's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanchez is trying to stall.
Sanchez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gilas slows down the pace here.
Gilas scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sanchez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Gilas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sanchez drives through and clinches with Gilas against the cage.
Neil Gilas seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gilas blocks an elbow strike from Sanchez.
Gilas blocks an elbow strike from Sanchez.
Gilas lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gilas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gilas stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gilas.
Gilas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sanchez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gilas lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Sanchez is rocked!
Sanchez throws a punch but it's blocked by Gilas.
Oh Sanchez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gilas scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sanchez looking for a takedown.
Sanchez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gilas is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gilas.
A right hook to the body lands for Gilas.
Gilas presses Sanchez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Gilas.
A head punch on the inside from Sanchez fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Gilas.
Gilas lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gilas lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Gilas is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Sanchez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Sanchez is fighting off a takedown attempt but Gilas is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Sanchez to the mat. Sanchez regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Gilas controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gilas lands a couple of elbows.
Gilas chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gilas throws a big elbow that misses.
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Gilas controlling him for the moment.
Gilas is working Sanchez over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sanchez pulls Gilas in close to prevent any damage.
Gilas wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Gilas throws a big right hand that misses.
Neil Gilas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sanchez seems to have got his legs back now.
Gilas is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Gilas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sanchez is trying to stand.
Gilas controlling the action here.
Neil Gilas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gilas prevents Sanchez from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to roll over but Gilas keeps him under control.
Gilas winds up and cracks Sanchez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gilas slows the pace down in half guard.
Sanchez trying to hold on to Gilas's head to control him but Gilas postures up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gilas prevents Sanchez from improving his position.
Gilas is taking a breather. Sanchez says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neil Gilas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gilas 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neil Gilas!
An out of breath Neil Gilas thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.