PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Leon Pablo Sanchez (ranked 24357 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodolfo Gracie (ranked 3956 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Pablo Sanchez
vs
Gracie

175 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

173 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leon Pablo Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodolfo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Roberts and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sanchez is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Sanchez circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sanchez circles away.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanchez sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leon Pablo Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodolfo Gracie.

Gracie gets tackled into the cage by Sanchez. Sanchez maintains the clinch.

Sanchez manages to break the clinch.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Sanchez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
Gracie looks winded!
Sanchez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sanchez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.

Sanchez darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez pulls guard effortlessly.
Sanchez managing to control the position.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Sanchez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sanchez manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Sanchez's guard.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sanchez is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Sanchez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez passes to side control.
Gracie manages to get back to half guard.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Sanchez content to control rather than advance.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.

Sanchez is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanchez.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sanchez prevents Gracie from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Sanchez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sanchez in particular looking to stall.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Sanchez seems content to control.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gracie has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Sanchez escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Sanchez!
Gracie trying to remain calm as Sanchez controls from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Pablo Sanchez dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gracie shoots in but Sanchez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sanchez goes for a double leg but Gracie avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gracie continues to drive forward.
Leon Pablo Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sanchez has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Sanchez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Leon Pablo Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodolfo Gracie.
Sanchez dives in and grabs Gracie's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes down on Sanchez's head and hops out.
Sanchez stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez scores with a body shot.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Sanchez counters with a left and a right that stings Gracie.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt

and Sanchez counters by moving into the clinch.

Sanchez breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanchez is looking to counter with head kicks.
Sanchez looks for a takedown but Gracie sprawls well.
Sanchez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Sanchez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanchez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
A right-left combo lands from Sanchez.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sanchez circles away.
Sanchez shoots in and drives through. Gracie sprawls well.

Sanchez moves into the clinch successfully.
Sanchez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Sanchez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gracie gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is working for takedown but Sanchez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Sanchez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Sanchez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sanchez is working Gracie over against the cage.
Sanchez stalling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanchez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gracie has Sanchez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sanchez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Sanchez successfully pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to move into half guard but instead Sanchez has managed to sweep!

Sanchez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Sanchez has managed to clinch.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Sanchez stalling in the clinch.
Sanchez stops a takedown attempt from Gracie.

Sanchez pulls Gracie into guard.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie won't allow Sanchez to get back to his feet.

Gracie drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sanchez manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gracie has Sanchez in his guard.

Sanchez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sanchez defends it easily.

Sanchez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sanchez has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sanchez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sanchez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Sanchez stands up from Gracie's guard - Sanchez perhaps looking for a knockout.

Sanchez darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Pablo Sanchez dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sanchez as he jumps to the side.
Rodolfo Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Sanchez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
Gracie dives in and grabs Sanchez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sanchez pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Leon Pablo Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodolfo Gracie.
Gracie blocks the body kick.
Gracie stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanchez. Sanchez gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanchez throws a body kick that misses.

Sanchez moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Sanchez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Sanchez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanchez stalling against the cage.

Sanchez drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Sanchez is retaining full guard.
Sanchez is adopting a defensive guard.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sanchez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sanchez has escaped and now he's on top!

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sanchez defends it easily.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sanchez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Sanchez stands up from Gracie's guard - Sanchez perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sanchez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sanchez wants it to stay on the feet.
Sanchez feinted with a counter takedown.

Sanchez clinches up with Gracie and pushes him back against the cage.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie fails with the takedown.
Sanchez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
Sanchez misses with a body kick.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Sanchez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sanchez stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanchez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gracie is fending him off so far but Sanchez persists. Nope, Gracie circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Leon Pablo Sanchez is winning the standup battle so far.
Sanchez stuffs the takedown.
Sanchez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Gracie tries to sprawl but Sanchez drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Sanchez is working for a submission of some sort.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanchez pulls his head out easily.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanchez pulls his head out easily.
Sanchez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Rodolfo Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leon Pablo Sanchez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanchez pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leon Pablo Sanchez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sanchez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

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