PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Russell Northrop (ranked 126 p4p, 17 weight class) and Masa Sanada (ranked 129 p4p, 19 weight class). Northrop's entrance music is Alive And Kicking. A fine choice. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Northrop
vs
Sanada

180 cm
33
175 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

180 cm
28
174 lbs
19 - 5 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Groove Gear

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 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Russell Northrop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Sanada!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Northrop is looking to chop away at Sanada's legs.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sanada! But no joy.
Sanada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Northrop scores with a punch to the head.

It looks like Masa Sanada has been cut.
Northrop misses with a head kick.
A nice side step and Sanada releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Northrop scores with a decent looking hook.

Oooh a lovely combination from Northrop sends Sanada down but not out. Northrop dives into side control looking to finish.

Sanada is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Northrop is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sanada knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sanada is still in real trouble! Can Northrop finish him?
Northrop fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sanada seems to have recovered his senses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Sanada's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sanada is not content to let Northrop control the position.
Sanada is trying to control Northrop's posture but Northrop avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada gets back to half guard.
Northrop tries to pass to full mount but Sanada defends it.
Sanada is trying to maintain the position but Northrop is very close to passing his half guard.
Sanada holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Sanada trying to control but Northrop postures up.
Sanada told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Sanada keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Northrop scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Northrop throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sanada has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Northrop is working away from the top position though.
Sanada wants to improve his position but Northrop is controlling well.
Northrop has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sanada controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Northrop thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sanada desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Northrop is thwarting Sanada's attempts to control the position.
Sanada controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Sanada is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Northrop seems content to control.
Sanada is looking to improve his position.
Sanada keeping hold of Northrop's head, controlling as best he can.
Sanada wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Northrop darts in and clinches Sanada up against the cage.

Sanada manages to break the clinch.
Northrop on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Northrop throws a combination that misses
and Sanada counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sanada defending well as Northrop loads up on a big left hand.
Northrop is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Northrop tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanada is able to avoid easily.
Northrop throws a nice outside leg kick.
Russell Northrop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Northrop swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Northrop moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Northrop takes the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Northrop.
Sanada taking a breather.

Sanada manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Northrop shoots in for a takedown but Sanada shows good takedown defense.
A little jabbing left from Sanada on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Northrop lands a jab to Sanada's midsection.
Northrop looks to land a right hand but Sanada moved out of range.
Northrop fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanada swings for the body but Northrop moves out of range.
Northrop lands a nice hook to Sanada's body. Sanada takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Northrop throws a leg kick but Sanada sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sanada looks like he wants to counter punch here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell Northrop dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Masa Sanada's cut.
That's time! Northrop's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sanada moves out of range as Northrop strikes.
Sanada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A punch lands to the side of Sanada 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Northrop takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Northrop throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sanada.
Northrop throws a jab but it's blocked by Sanada.
Northrop misses with a double jab.
Northrop throws a chopping leg kick but Sanada manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A little jabbing left from Sanada on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Northrop misses with a body shot
and Sanada counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Northrop tries to clinch but Sanada moves away
and Sanada counters with a huge left! Northrop is in big trouble! He's backing up but Sanada isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Northrop from any more damage. A dominating finish by Sanada!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Masa Sanada!
Masa Sanada made sure to mention his sponsor, Urban Fighter in his post fight interview.
Russell Northrop was interviewed post fight and said 'No fair. He tried to kiss me.'.