PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Aurellius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Estefan Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aurellius comes to the cage accompanied by Ave Maria. Sanchez has chosen The Game - 100 ft. Drake as his entrance music. Marcus Aurellius could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Estefan Sanchez's chin.

Aurellius
vs
Sanchez

178 cm
40
203 lbs
24 - 12 - 1

195 cm
36
212 lbs
17 - 23 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
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 24 - 12 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcus Aurellius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Estefan Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aurellius drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Sanchez has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Aurellius is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sanchez has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Sanchez gets underhooks to prevent Aurellius's takedown attempt.
Sanchez prevents the takedown attempt.
Sanchez is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurellius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aurellius.
Sanchez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sanchez prevents a takedown attempt there.
A right hand to the body from Sanchez.
Sanchez lands a knee to the head.
Sanchez misses with an elbow strike.
Aurellius changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sanchez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch combination from Sanchez misses.
Sanchez is looking to land body kicks.
Sanchez misses with a series of wild punches.
Aurellius with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurellius lands with a hook. Sanchez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Aurellius looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sanchez!
Aurellius wants to stand but Sanchez is controlling his arm.
Sanchez wants to control but Aurellius postures up.
Aurellius wants to stand but Sanchez is controlling his arm.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sanchez tries to buck Aurellius off but Aurellius is having none of it.
Aurellius has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius wants to stand but Sanchez has his arm trapped.

Aurellius decides to stand back up.
Aurellius walks into a stiff left hand from Sanchez.
Sanchez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sanchez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aurellius paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sanchez tries to close the distance and clinch but Aurellius swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Aurellius lands with a kick to the temple. Sanchez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez throws a series of punches but Aurellius moves out of range.
Sanchez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aurellius circles away quickly and effectively.
Estefan Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanchez scores with a jab to the head.
Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from Aurellius.
Aurellius scores with a jab. Sanchez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Jab, jab by Sanchez - just one landing.
Sanchez tries to land a body kick
and Aurellius counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez tries to sprawl but Aurellius drives through with a takedown into half guard.
It looks like Aurellius is going to stand back up.
Aurellius trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius looks to throw the jab but Sanchez is out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a series of punches but Aurellius moves out of range.
Aurellius with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sanchez to score with a decent uppercut.
Sanchez keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sanchez lands a front kick.
Aurellius shoots and misses
and Sanchez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A cross from Sanchez lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanchez throws a looping overhand right but Aurellius ducks down to avoid it.
Sanchez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Aurellius's head.
Sanchez misses with a wild combination.
Aurellius takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sanchez misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Estefan Sanchez dominated that round.
That's time! Aurellius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Aurellius closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Aurellius lands in his opponent's guard.
Aurellius is looking to stand up but Sanchez won't let him.
Sanchez is trying to control the position but Aurellius postures up.
Aurellius prevents Sanchez from getting back to his feet.
Sanchez trying to keep a closed guard but Aurellius is proving a slippery customer.
Aurellius trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sanchez's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Aurellius stands and steps away. Sanchez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurellius misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sanchez throws a series of punches but Aurellius avoids them all with ease.
A head kick misses from Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aurellius fails with the takedown.
Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from Aurellius.
Sanchez is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sanchez misses with a wild combination.
Sanchez goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Aurellius throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aurellius lands a jab-cross combination.
Aurellius takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Aurellius throws a jab but it's blocked by Sanchez.
A telegraphed right hand from Aurellius misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aurellius moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Sanchez gets a clinch.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Aurellius throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sanchez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Aurellius is in Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aurellius wanted to stand there but Sanchez had control of the position.
Sanchez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sanchez is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Aurellius stops Sanchez from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius wants to get up but he can't break Sanchez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Aurellius dodges the punch combination from Sanchez.
Aurellius shoots in but no luck this time.
Sanchez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sanchez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sanchez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Aurellius counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sanchez!
Aurellius tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Sanchez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius tries to stand but Sanchez is controlling his head.

Aurellius decides to stand back up.
Sanchez throws out a loose jab but Aurellius uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aurellius swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sanchez tries to score with a low kick but Aurellius moves his leg out of the way.

Aurellius gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sanchez prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurellius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Aurellius stops a takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Sanchez is looking to break free of the clinch but Aurellius has double underhooks.
Aurellius on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez trying to stall but Aurellius improves his position.
Aurellius is looking to take this one to the mat.
Aurellius has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sanchez after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marcus Aurellius will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Aurellius throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Aurellius shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sanchez as he jumps to the side.
Aurellius throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Sanchez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sanchez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sanchez checks a low kick from Aurellius.
Aurellius misses with a wild body shot.
Aurellius throws a lazy right hand but Sanchez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sanchez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aurellius throws a big shot that misses.
Sanchez tries to bum rush Aurellius with a series of wild strikes but Aurellius uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aurellius shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sanchez as he avoids it easily.
Sanchez throws a series of punches but Aurellius avoids them all with ease.
Sanchez misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurellius tries a low kick but Sanchez avoids it.
Aurellius misses with a hook
and Sanchez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sanchez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Aurellius avoids a punch combination nicely.
Aurellius thinks about countering with a body kick.
Estefan Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Aurellius drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sanchez pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurellius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez misses with a few strikes there.
Aurellius cracks Sanchez with a good jab.
Sanchez looks to land a right hand but Aurellius moved out of range.
Aurellius moves into range and connects with a jab.
Aurellius dips to his left and cracks Sanchez with an uppercut!
Aurellius connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sanchez momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius slips under a jab from Sanchez.
A swing and a miss from Aurellius.
Aurellius looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A little jabbing left from Sanchez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aurellius throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.

Aurellius moves into the clinch successfully.
Aurellius is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sanchez pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Sanchez breaks from the clinch.
Aurellius shoots in looking for a takedown. Sanchez tries to sprawl out of it but Aurellius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sanchez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Aurellius forces Sanchez back against the cage and clinches.

Aurellius lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Aurellius seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez gets back to full guard.
Aurellius is looking to stand up but Sanchez won't let him.
Sanchez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aurellius manages to get himself to full guard.

Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanchez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Aurellius keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.
Sanchez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aurellius utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
Sanchez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aurellius wants to get back to his feet but Sanchez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sanchez throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanchez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sanchez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sanchez wants to stand but Aurellius is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Aurellius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aurellius looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Aurellius closes the distance and pushes Sanchez back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Marcus Aurellius.
I think Aurellius has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!