EFC 1 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Co-main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel Freeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez comes to the cage accompanied by National Anthem. Freeman has chosen Time to Pretend as his entrance music. Joel Freeman looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Sanchez
vs
Freeman

171 cm
19
152 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

171 cm
22
151 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Likes ground

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Chuck Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Joel Freeman!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Freeman looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Freeman has had enough of the clinch but Sanchez keeps him there for the moment.
Freeman misses with a knee to the head.

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.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Freeman is one step ahead there.
Sanchez is working hard here to advance position.
Sanchez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Freeman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Freeman takes a decent strike to the side of the head.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sanchez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Freeman!
Sanchez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Freeman?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman is wriggling around trying to escape.

Sanchez has hold of Freeman's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Freeman manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Freeman is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Freeman throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Freeman tries to reverse the position but Sanchez maintains control.
Sanchez with good strikes from the mount here!
Sanchez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Sanchez has control of Freeman's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Freeman regains control of the situation pretty easily.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sanchez looking for a guillotine from mount but Freeman is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Sanchez is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sanchez lands a big elbow.
Sanchez landing strikes, looking to finish!
The referee warns Freeman that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Freeman really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sanchez punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Freeman really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Sanchez punishing his opponent with strikes.
Freeman is looking to get to half guard.
Sanchez lands a nice shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Freeman is working to get back to half guard.
Freeman trying desperately to get to his feet.
Freeman bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Sanchez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Freeman is one step ahead there.
Sanchez can't keep his opponent in guard - Freeman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sanchez is trying to stand up here but Freeman is controlling him well.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position.
Sanchez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Freeman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Freeman's back!
Can Freeman hold on?! Sanchez is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Sanchez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sanchez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sanchez lands a couple of elbows.

Sanchez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sanchez wants to clinch.
Sanchez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Freeman gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sanchez counters with a shoot takedown. Freeman fights it but they end up in guard.
Chuck Sanchez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanchez stands up over Freeman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sanchez with a nice head shot there.
Freeman is looking to sweep but instead, Sanchez has passed into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanchez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman is looking to improve his position.
Freeman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Freeman trying to strike off his back.
Freeman is trying to keep Sanchez in close.

Freeman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Freeman lands an upkick as Sanchez stands over him.

Freeman kicks Sanchez off and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Freeman tries to clinch but Sanchez moves away

and Sanchez counters with a shoot takedown. Freeman fights it but they end up in guard.
Freeman keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.
Sanchez works over Freeman with some ground and pound from guard.

Freeman working for a triangle but Sanchez defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Freeman throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Sanchez tries to free his leg and advance position but Freeman is retaining full guard.
Sanchez wants to get up but he can't break Freeman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman lands with a heel strike from the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sanchez looks to clinch

so Freeman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Sanchez throws his legs up looking for a submission but Freeman uses it to pass to side control.
Freeman lands some shots froms side control.
Sanchez is looking for a sweep.

Freeman stands up and beckons Sanchez to his feet.
Sanchez closes the distance and clinches up with Freeman, looking for a takedown. Sanchez pushes Freeman against the cage but Freeman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sanchez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Freeman makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Sanchez really felt that one!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanchez fails with the takedown
and Freeman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Freeman closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sanchez counters with a nice leg kick.
Freeman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Freeman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sanchez as he jumps to the side.

Sanchez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sanchez showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt

and Sanchez counters with a single leg into guard. Freeman didn't expect that.
Sanchez passes Freeman's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Freeman defends it well.
Freeman striking from half guard on the bottom.
Freeman throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez drops an elbow to the side of Freeman's head.
Freeman has hold of Sanchez's hands but Sanchez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Freeman throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez thows a huge punch but Freeman dodges it nicely.
Freeman is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sanchez scores with a couple of nice shots.

Sanchez is working for a submission of some sort.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sanchez throws a right hand that Freeman ducks under and follows up with a left that Freeman also avoids with ease.
Sanchez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt.

Freeman closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Freeman lands in his opponent's guard.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freeman passes into half guard.
Freeman prevents Sanchez from improving his position.
Sanchez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sanchez throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Sanchez trying to strike off his back.
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Freeman controlling him for the moment.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez has momentary wrist control but Freeman slips an elbow through the middle.
Freeman stands and throws Sanchez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sanchez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Freeman seems to be looking for submissions.
Sanchez regains full guard. Nicely done.
Freeman stands up out of Sanchez's guard for a moment - Sanchez manages to land a nice upkick.
Freeman postures up and lands a big shot to Sanchez's brow.
Sanchez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freeman trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Freeman gets to his feet - Sanchez follows without any prompting.
Nice uppercut there from Freeman.
Sanchez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Freeman makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nice takedown defense from Freeman. No joy for Sanchez on that attempt.

Sanchez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Freeman sneaks back into half guard.
Freeman trying to control here.
Sanchez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Joel Freeman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanchez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Freeman!

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Sanchez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanchez, 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 Richard Clark scores the fight for Chuck Sanchez!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Chuck Sanchez!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Chuck Sanchez!

Chuck Sanchez wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
53%

Main event

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rob Salek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giorgio Petrosyian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Giorgio Petrosyian looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Salek
vs
Petrosyian

160 cm
18
137 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

178 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Elite Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Rob Salek!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Giorgio Petrosyian!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrosyian tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Salek tries to clinch but Petrosyian moves out of range.
Petrosyian clinches but Salek breaks the clinch

and Salek counters by moving into the clinch.
Salek looking to slow down the pace here.
Salek lands a knee to the body.
Petrosyian fails to pull guard.
Come on Petrosyian - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Petrosyian prevents Salek from breaking the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Petrosyian breaks from the clinch.
Petrosyian misses with a takedown attempt - Salek sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Salek tries to clinch but Petrosyian is having none of it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Salek.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salek forces Petrosyian back against the cage and clinches.
Salek is trying to maintain a safe position but Petrosyian gets an underhook and turns Salek into the cage.
Salek will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Petrosyian up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Petrosyian can't break the clinch.
Petrosyian gets underhooks to prevent Salek's takedown attempt.
Salek has Petrosyian pressed against the cage.
Salek gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Petrosyian.
Rob Salek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Petrosyian.
Petrosyian fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Petrosyian prevents a body shot from Salek.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Petrosyian throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salek blocks it with crossed arms.
Petrosyian tries to land a knee to the head but Salek blocks with his arms.
Petrosyian working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Petrosyian is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Salek throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Petrosyians head.
Salek comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Salek looking to throw knees to the head but Petrosyian is blocking nicely.
Salek softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Salek prevents the takedown attempt.
Petrosyian looks gassed!
Salek prevents Petrosyian from breaking the clinch.
Petrosyian tries for a takedown. No joy.
Petrosyian avoiding damage as Salek throws knees to the body.
Salek misses with the head strike.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrosyian fails with the takedown
and Salek counters with an inside leg kick.
Salek looks for a takedown but Petrosyian sprawls well.
Salek closes the distance looking to clinch
and Petrosyian counters with a head kick. That will keep Salek thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Petrosyian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Petrosyian tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Petrosyian blocks a head kick by Salek.
Petrosyian wants to clinch but Salek slips to the side
and Salek makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Salek moves in looking to clinch but Petrosyian pushes him off.
Salek tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Salek tries to clinch but Petrosyian moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Salek.

Petrosyian has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrosyian is looking to break free of the clinch but Salek has double underhooks.
Salek taking a breather.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Petrosyian.
Petrosyian can't break the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Salek.
Petrosyian drops down looking for an ankle pick but Salek pulls his leg out and moves away.
Salek looks to clinch

and Petrosyian counters with a shoot takedown. Salek fights it but they end up in guard.
Petrosyian looking to pass the guard.
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 Rob Salek will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Salek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rob Salek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Salek feints and then cracks Petrosyian's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Petrosyian down.
Salek scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Salek defending well as Petrosyian loads up on a big left hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Petrosyian prevents Salek from breaking the clinch.
Salek throws a knee to the head but misses.
Petrosyian taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salek looking to slow down the pace here.

Petrosyian has clasped his hands together around Salek's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Petrosyian lands a few punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salek pushes Petrosyian away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Petrosyian gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Petrosyian has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Petrosyian decides to stand up, so the ref orders Salek to his feet.

Petrosyian gets a clinch.
Salek comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Salek wants a takedown.

Petrosyian escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Petrosyian shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Petrosyian lands a big elbow.
Salek's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Petrosyian jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Salek is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Salek and Petrosyian has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petrosyian has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Salek misses with a low kick.

Petrosyian moves into the clinch.
Petrosyian wants to break free but Salek has control.
Salek lands a knee to the head.

Petrosyian has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Salek clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Petrosyian is striking from the back but Salek escapes and manages to recover to half guard.
Petrosyian stops Salek from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Petrosyian is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Petrosyian missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Petrosyian throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Petrosyian tries to pass the half guard into mount. Salek knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Salek wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Salek looks to score with a jab to the body but Petrosyian is just out of range.
Salek is looking to clinch but Petrosyian is avoiding it.
Petrosyian connects with a high kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Petrosyian.
Salek is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Petrosyian connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Petrosyian lands a high kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giorgio Petrosyian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Salek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Petrosyian circles away from the clinch attempt

and Petrosyian counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Petrosyian is looking for a kimura here.
Petrosyian has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Salek works to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Petrosyian missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrosyian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Petrosyian wants to stand but Salek has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Petrosyian stands up from Salek's guard - Petrosyian perhaps looking for a knockout.
An inside leg kick from Salek misses.
Petrosyian gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Salek counters by clinching up.
Petrosyian has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salek avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Salek keeps control of Petrosyian as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Salek is working for takedown but Petrosyian is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrosyian tries to pull guard but Salek won't allow it.
Rob Salek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Petrosyian.
Salek prevents the takedown attempt.
Salek lands with a short shot to the head.
Petrosyian wants to break free but Salek has control.

Petrosyian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salek misses with a body punch

and Petrosyian counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Giorgio Petrosyian has got the better of the ground game so far.

Salek is working an open guard so Petrosyian takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Salek lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Petrosyian tries to clinch but Salek moves out of range.
Salek closes the distance looking to clinch
and Petrosyian counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Petrosyian closes this distance looking for a takedown but Salek circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salek fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Salek misses the target.
Petrosyian tries to clinch there but Salek circles away.
Salek dodges the punch combination from Petrosyian.
Salek tries to clinch up
and Petrosyian counters with a head kick.
Petrosyian scores with a shot to the body.
Salek pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Petrosyian closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Petrosyian decides to stand back up. Petrosyian steps back and let's Salek get back to his feet.
Salek wants to clinch up but Petrosyian keeps it at a distance.
Salek tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Petrosyian closes the distance and clinches.
Petrosyian gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Salek throws a head punch that misses.
Salek tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petrosyian's elbow.
Petrosyian will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Salek up against the cage.
Petrosyian on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Petrosyian tries for a takedown but Salek manages to get underhooks.
Salek stalling.

Petrosyian ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Petrosyian no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Salek stands up from guard. Let's bang!

And that's the end of the fight!
Giorgio Petrosyian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Petrosyian has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight for Giorgio Petrosyian!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Giorgio Petrosyian!
Judge James Atkins scores the fight for Giorgio Petrosyian!

Giorgio Petrosyian wins by unanimous decision!
Giorgio Petrosyian is the new featherweight champion!