PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Sandoval (ranked 2255 p4p, 1987 weight class) and Wulfgang Bleak (ranked 279 p4p, 246 weight class). Bleak is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Du Hast - Rammstein. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sandoval
vs
Bleak

179 cm
23
171
8 - 6 - 0

181 cm
21
159
7 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Hardcore Sports Nutrition

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Miguel Sandoval!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wulfgang Bleak!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Ackerman and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bleak tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sandoval sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bleak somewhat.
Sandoval half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bleak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sandoval as he avoids it easily.
Bleak dives in for a single leg takedown but Sandoval sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sandoval half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Miguel Sandoval has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wulfgang Bleak.
Sandoval walks into a stiff left hand from Bleak.
Bleak slips a straight right by Sandoval.
Sandoval looks to score with a jab to the body but Bleak is just out of range.
Bleak drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sandoval defends it well.
Bleak scores with a nice right hand.
Bleak shoots in but Sandoval avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bleak or perhaps it was just good defense by Sandoval, which made it look bad.
Sandoval feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice shot lands for Bleak.
Bleak darts in looking for a takedown but Sandoval gets double underhooks and turns Bleak into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Bleak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sandoval appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sandoval looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sandoval misses with a body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sandoval prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sandoval tries to work over Bleak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bleak is trying to drag Sandoval to the mat but Sandoval just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bleak drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sandoval gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short right from Sandoval.
Bleak blocks an uppercut.
Bleak has Sandoval pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sandoval manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A right hook to the body lands for Sandoval.
A body shot lands from Sandoval.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sandoval.
Sandoval stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bleak has hold of one of Sandoval's legs. Sandoval is fighting the takedown attempt but Bleak gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Bleak missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bleak throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bleak accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sandoval working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bleak.
Bleak postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bleak in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bleak wants to pass the guard but Sandoval is keeping the position.
Bleak with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bleak throws a strike but Sandoval rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bleak looking for a guillotine here but Sandoval defends easily.
Sandoval advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bleak is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sandoval connects with a nice short shot to Bleak's temple.
Bleak is trying to get back to full guard.
Sandoval working over Bleak with some ground and pound. Bleak looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bleak wants to get back to full guard.
Sandoval wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bleak keeps working.
Bleak manages to get to full guard.
Bleak manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sandoval manages to get himself to full guard.

Sandoval utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bleak stands and throws Sandoval's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sandoval tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bleak tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Bleak throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sandoval works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Sandoval blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bleak.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bleak wants to pass the guard but Sandoval is defending well.
Bleak thows a huge punch but Sandoval dodges it nicely.
Sandoval taking some punishment here, with Bleak in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wulfgang Bleak will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bleak misses with a takedown attempt - Sandoval sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sandoval attempts a counter takedown but Bleak avoids it well and moves away.
Bleak throws a hook but Sandoval blocks it.
Bleak scores with a decent looking hook.

Bleak fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sandoval, pushing him back against the cage.
Bleak is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sandoval misses with a punch to the body.
Bleak lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Sandoval as the two fighters clinch.
Sandoval lands a shot to the body.
Sandoval misses with a punch to the body.
Bleak misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sandoval lands a body shot.
Sandoval goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Bleak has Sandoval pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Bleak pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sandoval tumbling to the mat - Bleak dives into Sandoval's guard.
Bleak working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bleak has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bleak is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bleak throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bleak preventing the sweep.
Bleak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bleak working some strikes from top position.
Bleak stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sandoval swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bleak cracks Sandoval with a solid left hand.
Bleak throwing strikes but missing.
Bleak throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sandoval works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bleak postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bleak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sandoval looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bleak is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bleak with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bleak is looking to pass into half guard but Sandoval pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Sandoval is in guard.

Sandoval trying to control the position from guard on top but Bleak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bleak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sandoval connects with a couple of short punches.
Bleak wants to sweep here but Sandoval controlling him for the moment.

Bleak is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sandoval is aware though and is defending well.
Sandoval trying to control the position from guard on top but Bleak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bleak looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bleak looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sandoval puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Sandoval wants to control but Bleak is keeping him busy.

Bleak is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sandoval pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bleak taking some punishment here, with Sandoval in his half guard.
Sandoval working Bleak over with strikes.
Bleak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sandoval looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bleak with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sandoval lands strikes from half guard.
Bleak tries to get to full guard but Sandoval has control of the leg.
Sandoval lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Bleak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sandoval lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sandoval takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bleak slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sandoval with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bleak bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sandoval's guard.

Bleak postures up in Sandoval's guard and throws a big left but Sandoval blocks it.
Bleak postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sandoval has his hands on Bleak's head, controlling the position.
Bleak in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bleak works over Sandoval with some ground and pound from guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bleak throws a strike but Sandoval rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bleak keeping moving, preventing Sandoval from controlling successfully.
Wulfgang Bleak has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sandoval has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sandoval is in close to Bleak's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Wulfgang Bleak will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. 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.

Sandoval throws a body punch but Bleak moves out of range.
Bleak fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bleak changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sandoval tries to avoid it but Bleak manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sandoval to the ground. Sandoval escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sandoval appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sandoval misses with an uppercut.
Bleak fails to land with a series of punches.
Bleak throws a big shot that misses.
Sandoval walks into a straight right hand from Bleak.
Bleak misses with a looping left.
Bleak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sandoval half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bleak misses with a straight right.
Sandoval half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wulfgang Bleak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bleak ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sandoval moves away.
Bleak lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice defenses there by Bleak.
Bleak feints the counter takedown.
Bleak tries for a takedown but Sandoval circles away easily

and Sandoval counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bleak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bleak wants to sweep but no luck.

Bleak working for a triangle but Sandoval defends it easily.
Bleak is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sandoval stands and throws Bleak's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sandoval in side control lands a decent elbow.
Bleak sneaks back into half guard.

Bleak is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sandoval pulls his head out easily.
Ground and pound from Sandoval.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bleak is trying to get back to full guard.
Sandoval keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Miguel Sandoval has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sandoval prevents Bleak from improving his position.
Sandoval trying to control from half guard but Bleak is working away.
Bleak is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sandoval scores with a couple of nice shots.

Bleak looking for submissions off his back.
Bleak is not content to let Sandoval control the position.
Sandoval controlling the pace.
Bleak has hold of Sandoval's hands but Sandoval slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sandoval working over Bleak with some ground and pound. Bleak looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bleak is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval trying to control from half guard but Bleak is working away.
Sandoval lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sandoval slips a nice elbow through Bleak's hands, connecting with Bleak's forehead.
Bleak moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Bleak looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sandoval postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wulfgang Bleak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bleak can't keep his opponent in guard - Sandoval advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bleak on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sandoval drops an elbow to the side of Bleak's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bleak manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sandoval trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sandoval preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bleak swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bleak looking for a sweep. Not yet Bleak, not yet.
Bleak trying to control the position.
Bleak keeping full guard, as Sandoval tries to pass.
Sandoval wants to control from the top but Bleak keeps moving.
Sandoval throws a big elbow that misses.
Bleak tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bleak controls Sandoval momentarily but Sandoval frees himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sandoval in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sandoval distracts Bleak with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miguel Sandoval showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bleak 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!