PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Sanchez (ranked 25127 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Rowler (ranked 5481 p4p, 0 weight class). Nick Rowler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sanchez
vs
Rowler

188 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

177 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Roberto Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nick Rowler!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rowler.
Rowler fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sanchez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rowler darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but Rowler manages to get underhooks.

Rowler drags the fight down to the ground.
Rowler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rowler is trying to control the position but Sanchez postures up.
Sanchez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed 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.
Rowler trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.
Rowler pulls Sanchez in to control the position.
Sanchez sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rowler wants to improve his position but instead Sanchez has moved into half guard.

Sanchez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sanchez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rowler wants to sweep but Sanchez has passed to side control!

That's two 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.
Rowler can't do much from the bottom here.
Rowler manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Sanchez wants to improve his position but Rowler is controlling well.
Sanchez is not content to let Rowler control the position.
Rowler prevents Sanchez from improving his position.
Sanchez trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sanchez keeps working.
Sanchez tries to kick Rowler off but Rowler keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Still in half guard, Rowler seems content to control.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rowler fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sanchez.
Rowler throws a lazy uppercut

and Sanchez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sanchez tries to pull guard but Rowler holds him up against the cage and eventually Sanchez drops back down to his feet.

Rowler breaks from the clinch.
Sanchez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rowler.
A solid body kick from Rowler.
Rowler tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sanchez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rowler somewhat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Rowler moves out of range easily.
Rowler misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanchez instigates a clinch.
Rowler fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Rowler manages to break the clinch.

Sanchez moves into the clinch.
Rowler tries to pull guard but Sanchez won't allow it.
Rowler tries to pull guard but Sanchez won't allow it.
Roberto Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Rowler.
Sanchez jumps guard but Rowler stands there with Sanchez around his waist. Sanchez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rowler looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rowler breaks the clinch.
Sanchez slaps away a takedown attempt from Rowler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sanchez is looking for a counter combo.
Sanchez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sanchez feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez moves into the clinch.
Rowler jumps guard but Sanchez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rowler tries to pull guard but Sanchez holds him up against the cage and eventually Rowler drops back down to his feet.

Sanchez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sanchez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Rowler tries to free his leg and advance position but Sanchez is retaining full guard.
Sanchez pulls Rowler in close to his closed guard and prevents Rowler from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rowler wants to stand but Sanchez is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez trying to control the position here.
Sanchez is trying to control the position but Rowler postures up.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rowler defends well.
Sanchez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowler trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rowler shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanchez sprawls well. He's pushed Rowler's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rowler misses with a takedown attempt - Sanchez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rowler tries for a takedown but Sanchez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rowler checks a low kick from Sanchez.
Roberto Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sanchez clinches.
Rowler with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sanchez as Rowler tries to tie him up.
Rowler drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sanchez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rowler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sanchez circles away.
Rowler shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanchez sprawls well. He's pushed Rowler's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rowler is breathing heavily.
Rowler fails with the takedown

and Sanchez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sanchez.
Rowler wants to get back to his feet but Sanchez passes into half guard.
Sanchez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Roberto Sanchez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanchez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanchez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Sanchez dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sanchez moves into the clinch successfully.

Rowler manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rowler is looking to stand up but Sanchez isn't so interested in that idea.

Sanchez gets to his feet. Rowler looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Sanchez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rowler to the mat! Rowler manages to get full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez cracks Rowler with a solid left hand.
Rowler controls Sanchez momentarily but Sanchez frees himself.
Sanchez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez landing some decent shots from guard.

Rowler has an active guard here but Sanchez has managed to pass into half guard.
Sanchez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rowler tries to roll over but Sanchez keeps him under control.

That's two 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.
Sanchez passes to full mount!
Sanchez landing strikes from the mount and Rowler is in trouble!
Sanchez lands a big elbow.
Sanchez looking to control and managing it successfully.
Further stalling from Sanchez.
Rowler is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez prevents Rowler from getting the reversal.
Sanchez looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rowler is desperately trying to improve his position but Sanchez has a good base and remains in mount.
Rowler is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Sanchez lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rowler hang on?
Rowler is squirming around, avoiding Sanchez's attempts to control the action.
Rowler tries to reverse the position but Sanchez maintains control.
Sanchez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Rowler is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rowler wants to control but Sanchez is having none of it.
Rowler really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sanchez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Sanchez has hold of Rowler's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Rowler manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Sanchez controlling the position easily from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rowler is wriggling around trying to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roberto Sanchez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sanchez 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roberto Sanchez!