PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Gatsby (ranked 1010 p4p, 127 weight class) and Nobu Sanada (ranked 1647 p4p, 189 weight class). 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.

Gatsby
vs
Sanada

178 cm
32
167 lbs
21 - 7 - 0

175 cm
25
159 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

UnderGround Supplements

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 21 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Gatsby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nobu Sanada!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gatsby on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sanada on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gatsby misses with a right hand
and Sanada counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A shot to the liver by Sanada. Beautiful body shot.
Sanada looks to score with a jab to the body but Gatsby is just out of range.
Sanada scores with a hook to the body. Gatsby takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sanada is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gatsby.
Sanada lands with a good body shot.
Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gatsby sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanada connects with a body shot.
Gatsby definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sanada jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Gatsby wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gatsby looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gatsby throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sanada sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanada fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gatsby looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sanada misses with an uppercut

and Gatsby counters with a single leg into guard. Sanada didn't expect that.
Gatsby trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gatsby accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sanada pulls Gatsby in close to prevent any damage.
Gatsby stands and throws Sanada's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sanada prevents Gatsby from improving position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanada tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gatsby wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sanada avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gatsby.
Sanada can't do much from the bottom here.
Gatsby wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sanada keeps working.
Sanada is looking to reverse the position.
Sanada taking punishment in the form of punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gatsby trying to control the position but Sanada is working away.
I wouldn't like to be where Sanada is right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada tries to improve position but can't.
Sanada trying to remain calm as Gatsby controls from the top position.
Sanada is trying to control Gatsby's posture but Gatsby avoids it.
Sanada manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Sanada trying to pass the guard but Gatsby defending well.
Gatsby wants to improve his position but Sanada is controlling well.
Sanada perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Gatsby trying to control but Sanada postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby wants to sweep but Sanada has passed to side control!
Gatsby is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Gatsby is looking to control Sanada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gatsby avoid being mounted?
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gatsby is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Sanada takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Gatsby looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gatsby is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Sanada jumps into side control!
Sanada trying to control the action but Gatsby is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nobu Sanada dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sanada looks to throw the jab but Gatsby is out of range.
Sanada stuffs the takedown attempt from Gatsby. Gatsby gets slowly back to his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanada misses the target.
Gatsby throwing a counter right hand but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Sanada throws a big shot that misses.
Gatsby takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sanada slips a jab from Gatsby.
Sanada lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gatsby throws the left hand but Sanada avoids the punch easily.
Nobu Sanada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gatsby keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gatsby throwing a counter right hand but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada misses with a shot to the body
and Gatsby counters with a left to the body.
Sanada takes a swing at Gatsby's ribcage but misses.
Sanada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanada has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sanada throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sanada darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Gatsby throws a lazy right hand but Sanada sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sanada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Sanada as he connects with a hook.
Sanada connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gatsby steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sanada.
Gatsby takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nobu Sanada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanada connects with a body shot.
Nice body punch from Sanada.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanada lands with a hook. Gatsby tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sanada waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gatsby.
Gatsby was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gatsby sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanada ducks under a wild hook from Gatsby.
The fighters circling - Gatsby throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gatsby uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sanada.
Sanada takes a swing at Gatsby's ribcage but misses.
Gatsby attempts a counter takedown but Sanada avoids it well and moves away.
Sanada with a hook.
Gatsby lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
As Sanada looks to move away, Gatsby throws a big counter combo but Sanada just gets out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Gatsby attempts a counter takedown but Sanada avoids it well and moves away.
Sanada swings away with a body shot that misses
and Gatsby counters with a stiff right hand.
A bone on bone clash there as Sanada blocks the leg kick.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
It looked like Gatsby wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nobu Sanada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanada lands a really nice looking cross but Gatsby seems unphased.
Gatsby doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gatsby moves away from the strike by Sanada.
Gatsby drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sanada sprawls and moves away.
A jab lands there for Gatsby.
Gatsby takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sanada scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sanada lands with an uppercut that bounces Gatsby off the cage and back into range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanada bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gatsby's head backwards.
Sanada lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gatsby at a distance.
Gatsby moves out of range of the strikes.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gatsby slips a straight right by Sanada.
Gatsby takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sanada misses with a shot to the body
and Gatsby counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sanada swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gatsby looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Gatsby slips under a jab.
Gatsby tries to counter with a takedown but Sanada is quick to defend against it.
Gatsby takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nobu Sanada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Gatsby's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sanada scores with a hook to the body. Gatsby takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sanada moves out of range of the strikes.
Gatsby is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Sanada moves into range and clinches up with Gatsby.
Sanada fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Gatsby.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sanada working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sanada tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sanada lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gatsby backwards.
Gatsby makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sanada stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Sanada on the inside.
Gatsby tries for a takedown but Sanada manages to get underhooks.
Sanada tries to work over Gatsby's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sanada lands a shot to the body.
Gatsby leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada digs a right hand into Gatsby's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gatsby's gas tank.
Sanada lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Sanada will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gatsby up against the cage.
Sanada has Gatsby pushed against the cage.
Sanada is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A short uppercut from Sanada.
Sanada tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gatsby's elbow.

Gatsby manages to break the clinch.
Sanada with a hook.
Sanada slips a straight right by Gatsby.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanada scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sanada throws an off balance right hand
and Gatsby counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gatsby uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanada.
Gatsby attempts a counter takedown but Sanada avoids it well and moves away.
Sanada throws a predictable looking body shot

and Gatsby counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gatsby.
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 pulls Gatsby in close to his closed guard and prevents Gatsby from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gatsby tries to free his leg and advance position but Sanada is retaining full guard.
Joe Gatsby has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada pulls Gatsby in close to prevent any damage.
Gatsby postures up.
Sanada controlling the position.
Gatsby trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gatsby ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Gatsby misses with a straight left.
Sanada misses with a few strikes there.
Sanada throws a hook but Gatsby blocks it.
Sanada slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nobu Sanada is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanada throws out the jab.
It looked like Gatsby wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gatsby cracks Sanada with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sanada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gatsby takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gatsby waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sanada.
Gatsby avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gatsby is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sanada misses with a lunging right hand
and Gatsby counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sanada swings for the body but Gatsby moves out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Sanada. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sanada.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gatsby looks to throw the jab but Sanada is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nobu Sanada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sanada 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nobu Sanada!