PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gustavo Fring (ranked 1666 p4p, 195 weight class) and Nobu Sanada (ranked 1983 p4p, 234 weight class). Fring comes to the cage accompanied by Bamboleo by The Gypsy Kings. 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.

Fring
vs
Sanada

185 cm
24
162 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
159 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gustavo Fring!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nobu Sanada!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Fring. Those never looked like landing.
Sanada moves out of range of the strikes.
Fring looks to throw the jab but Sanada is out of range.
Gustavo Fring seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fring lands a two punch combo.
Sanada misses with a straight right.
Fring misses the jab.
Sanada tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fring was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanada.
Fring with a nice cross.
Fring misses with a double jab.
Sanada blocks a jab.
Sanada dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanada uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fring.
Fring takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanada takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Fring has been working on his boxing with his coaches at ~T~ Troid - Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Fring connects with a body shot that sends Sanada's belly button to the back.
Fring loads up on a big right hand but Sanada slips the punch.
Sanada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fring slips a jab from Sanada.
Fring throws a series of punches but Sanada moves out of range.
Fring misses with a looping left.
Fring throws a hook but Sanada blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fring was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanada.
Fring was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sanada displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fring throws out the jab.
Sanada steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fring.
Fring slips under a jab from Sanada.
Fring uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanada.
Sanada lands with a nice body punch.
Fring lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sanada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fring doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sanada misses with a shot to the body
and Fring connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Fring stuns Sanada with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fring connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sanada scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fring looks to throw the jab but Sanada is out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fring manages to avoid it.
Sanada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fring.
Fring swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanada takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanada avoids the body shot from Fring.
Fring thuds a left hand into Sanada's body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sanada looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sanada avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sanada scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sanada, as that shot connected.
Sanada uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fring.
Fring will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fring uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanada.
Fring on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A swing and a miss from Fring.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fring keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanada moves in looking to clinch but Fring pushes him off.
Fring throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanada lands with a nice body punch.
Fring throws an overhand right that lands on Sanada's shoulder, as Sanada tries to avoid the shot.
Sanada misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fring displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanada throws out the jab.
Sanada doesn't manage to clinch there - Fring circles away.
Fring just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanada lands a nice looking body shot.
Fring swings for the body but Sanada moves out of range.
Sanada is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Fring rather than just go for the knockout.
Fring throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sanada jabs Fring right on the nose. Fring blinks but takes it well.
Sanada lands a body shot.
Fring ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fring swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanada steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fring.
Fring connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fring throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sanada counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
Fring looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanada is just out of range.
Sanada tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fring was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanada.
Fring misses with a looping right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fring misses with a lunging right hand
and Sanada counters with a right hand to the body.
Sanada misses the shot to the body.
Sanada ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Fring.
Sanada moves out of range of the strikes.
Fring tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanada was well out of range. Poor timing from Fring.
Fring throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sanada.
Sanada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fring throws a right hand that misses
and Sanada counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fring fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Sanada lands with a cross.
Fring is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sanada.
Some wild striking there from Fring.
Fring avoids the body shot from Sanada.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanada lands a nice shot to the body.
Sanada moves away from the strike by Fring.
Sanada on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sanada showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fring.
Sanada throws a counter combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gustavo Fring will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice uppercut lands for Fring. That snapped Sanada's head back.
Sanada has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fring finds it's way round the side to connect with Sanada's head.
Fring takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanada misses the target.
Fring is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sanada can do to turn this around?
Fring fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Fring catches Sanada with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Sanada closes the distance and clinches.
Fring is trying to force a seperation but Sanada has the dominant position.

Fring breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fring fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sanada looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Sanada in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Fring uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanada.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Sanada avoids the body shot from Fring.
Fring misses with an uppercut. Sanada saw that one coming.
Fring throws a looping overhand right but Sanada ducks down to avoid it.
Sanada fails to land with a series of punches.
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!
Sanada misses with a looping left.
Sanada throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Fring to counter with a crisp jab.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
It looked like Fring wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fring manages to avoid it.
Sanada waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fring.
Fring swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fring sets himself, and Sanada steps forward looking for the clinch! Fring avoids it this time.
Fring throws a body punch but Sanada moves out of range.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Sanada swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fring takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sanada lunges at Fring with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Fring's hand.
Sanada avoids the body shot from Fring.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Fring looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sanada paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sanada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fring throws a jab but it's blocked by Sanada.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fring moves away.
A left lands for Fring.
Sanada moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sanada tries to clinch but Fring moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanada tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fring was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanada.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanada clinches.
Fring doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sanada can't find room to land a body shot as Fring controls the action.
A nice left hand lands by Fring.

Fring breaks the clinch.
Fring throws the left hand but Sanada avoids the punch easily.
A big right from Fring misses.
Sanada swings for the body but Fring moves out of range.
Fring misses with an uppercut. Sanada saw that one coming.
Fring fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Despite the aggression on Sanada's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Fring scores with a nice head shot.
Sanada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sanada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fring.
Fring lands with a shot to the body.
Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fring sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanada fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A quick step to the side and Fring tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fring swings for the body but Sanada moves out of range.
Fring swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fring throws a hook but Sanada blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fring throws a right and a left that Sanada avoids nicely.
Sanada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jab from Fring.
Fring takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fring scores with a jab. Sanada acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sanada connects with a body shot.

Sanada clinches up with Fring and pushes him back against the cage.
Sanada misses with a hook to the ribs.

Fring escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanada. Fring does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sanada slips a jab from Fring.
Sanada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fighters circling - Fring throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fring with a hook.
Sanada throws a hook but Fring blocks it.
Sanada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fring throws a series of punches but Sanada avoids them all with ease.
Sanada blocks a jab.
Sanada blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanada misses with a two punch combination.
Fring swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanada takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fring just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fring misses with a wild combination.
A nice side step and Sanada releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Fring throws a lazy right hand but Sanada sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sanada takes a swing at Fring's ribcage but misses.
Fring is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sanada throws out a loose jab but Fring uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot to the liver by Fring. Beautiful body shot.
Sanada gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fring.
Fring swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanada tries to counter with a clinch but Fring shakes him off and moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fring throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fring keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Sanada gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Jab, jab by Fring - just one landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Fring dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A big left from Sanada misses.
Fring cracks a nice hook into Sanada's ribs.
Sanada connects with a right hand. Fring shakes it off.
Fring slips under a jab.
Fring looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanada is just out of range.
Fring takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fring. Sanada does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fring missing with a left hand there. Sanada was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big left from Fring misses.
Sanada scores with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanada misses the target.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fring moves away.
Gustavo Fring is winning the standup battle so far.
Sanada connects with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanada. Fring does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fring fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Fring throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanada has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fring keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fring cracks Sanada with an open hand slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fring misses the shot to the body.
Sanada drops his hands momentarily and Fring takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Sanada lands a slapping body shot.
Sanada with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanada avoids the body shot from Fring.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanada connects with a right hand. Fring shakes it off.
Sanada takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A jab from Sanada misses.
Fring lands a nice looking body shot.
Fring misses the shot to the body.
Fring lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sanada lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fring at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fring dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fring tests Sanada's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fring throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sanada sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fring thuds a left hand into Sanada's body.
Sanada avoids the body shot from Fring.
Fring feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sanadas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Fring throws a good cross that connects.
Sanada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fring misses the shot to the body.
Sanada walks into a left hand.
Fring throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanada takes a swing at Fring's ribcage but misses.
Fring slips under a jab.
Fring misses the shot to the body.
Fring moves out of range as Sanada strikes.
Fring lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sanada takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fring misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Sanada holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fring uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sanada.
Sanada tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Fring counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sanada wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sanada cracks Fring with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nobu Sanada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sanada has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sanada lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sanada goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sanada lands with a light punch inside.
Sanada digs a right hand into Fring's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fring's gas tank.
Sanada throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short left from Sanada.
Fring blocking some punches.
Sanada misses with some punches.
Sanada misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanada taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanada misses with a body punch.
Fring struggles to land a body shot inside as Sanada controls his hands.
Fring blocking some punches.
Sanada has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Fring seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Sanada can turn it around.
Fring tries to break the clinch but Sanada is controlling the position.
Sanada can't find room to land a body shot as Fring controls the action.
Fring throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanada.
Fring swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sanada can't find room to land a body shot as Fring controls the action.

Fring pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body punch from Sanada.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fring. Sanada does a little dance to reset his feet.
It seemed like Sanada was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sanada ducks under a wild hook from Fring.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Sanada displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fring throws out the jab.
Sanada's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fring connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sanada scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fring scores with a hook.
Fring throws a right hand that Sanada ducks under and follows up with a left that Sanada also avoids with ease.
Sanada misses with a hook to the body
and Fring connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fring scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

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 Gustavo Fring.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fring, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gustavo Fring!
A very excited looking Gustavo Fring made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.