PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Nogueira Aldo (ranked 3731 p4p, 4346 weight class) and Sammy Sanchez (ranked 187 p4p, 205 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nogueira Aldo
vs
Sanchez

172 cm
24
143
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
25
144
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Nogueira Aldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Sammy Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Patrick Alders and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sanchez looks for the body kick but Nogueira Aldo saw that one coming.
Sanchez dives in and grabs Nogueira Aldo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nogueira Aldo pushes down on Sanchez's head and hops out.
Nogueira Aldo throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nogueira Aldo bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Sanchez checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nogueira Aldo digs a good body shot into Sanchez's ribs.
Sanchez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nogueira Aldo.
Nogueira Aldo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Anderson Nogueira Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Sanchez.
Nogueira Aldo with a nice calf kick.
Sanchez tries to clinch up but Nogueira Aldo circles away and keeps his distance.
Nogueira Aldo throws a lazy head kick

and Sanchez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sanchez managing to block the knees to the body from Nogueira Aldo.
Sanchez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sanchez stalling in the clinch.
Sanchez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nogueira Aldo has had enough of the clinch but Sanchez keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira Aldo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanchez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nogueira Aldo working hard to break the clinch.
Sanchez creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nogueira Aldo's defenses.
Nogueira Aldo blocking some punches.
Nogueira Aldo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sanchez is defending well for now.
Sanchez lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nogueira Aldo or not.
Nogueira Aldo misses with a punch to the body.
Nogueira Aldo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Sanchez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nogueira Aldo prevents it.

Sanchez gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Nogueira Aldo pushes Sanchez off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sanchez has closed the distance and engaged Nogueira Aldo in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira Aldo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sanchez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nogueira Aldo misses with a body kick.
Nice takedown defense from Nogueira Aldo. No joy for Sanchez on that attempt.
Nogueira Aldo tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sanchez manages to circle out of the way.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a takedown. Nogueira Aldo tries to sprawl out of it but Sanchez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nogueira Aldo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nogueira Aldo thinks about countering with a head kick.
Nogueira Aldo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Sanchez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nogueira Aldo napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Nogueira Aldo throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Nogueira Aldo gets tackled into the cage by Sanchez. Sanchez maintains the clinch.
Sanchez avoiding damage as Nogueira Aldo throws knees to the body.
Sanchez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nogueira Aldo is trying to push Sanchez away but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nogueira Aldo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage.
Nogueira Aldo blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sanchez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nogueira Aldo is trying to break the clinch but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nogueira Aldo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sanchez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We've been told by Nogueira Aldo's head coaches at Brazilian Top Team + Ricardo Arona that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sanchez looks winded!
Sanchez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nogueira Aldo.
Nogueira Aldo lands a head kick!
Nogueira Aldo throws a good cross that connects.
Sanchez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nogueira Aldo circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Sanchez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sanchez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nogueira Aldo is looking to slow Sanchez down with leg kicks.
Nogueira Aldo throws a wild body kick that Sanchez sees coming a mile off.
Nogueira Aldo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sanchez with the counter takedown but Nogueira Aldo avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira Aldo looks for the body kick but Sanchez saw that one coming.
Nogueira Aldo thuds his shin into the meat of Sanchez's side.
A good leg kick by Nogueira Aldo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanchez takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nogueira Aldo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nogueira Aldo throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt.
Nogueira Aldo throws a series of strikes that have Sanchez backpedaling.
Nogueira Aldo stuffs the takedown.
Nogueira Aldo lands a slapping body shot.
Nogueira Aldo lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nogueira Aldo keeps the fight on the outside.
A quick step to the side and Nogueira Aldo tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nogueira Aldo throws a half hearted mid kick.

Nogueira Aldo manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sanchez on his heels. He'll look to pass Sanchez's guard now, I'm sure.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Nogueira Aldo manages to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Nogueira Aldo dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sanchez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nogueira Aldo throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.

Sanchez gets a clinch.
Sanchez prevents Nogueira Aldo from breaking the clinch.
Nogueira Aldo effectively controlling the action here.
Nogueira Aldo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sanchez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nogueira Aldo gets underhooks to prevent Sanchez's takedown attempt.
Anderson Nogueira Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Sanchez.
Nogueira Aldo tries to circle away but Sanchez has him pinned against the cage.
Sanchez has Nogueira Aldo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nogueira Aldo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sanchez wants a takedown.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira Aldo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sanchez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nogueira Aldo can't break the clinch.
Nogueira Aldo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nogueira Aldo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Sanchez struggles to land a body shot inside as Nogueira Aldo controls his hands.
Nogueira Aldo can't break the clinch.
Nogueira Aldo has had enough of the clinch but Sanchez keeps him there for the moment.
Sanchez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nogueira Aldo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Nogueira Aldo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice body kick from Nogueira Aldo.
Sanchez shoots in but no luck this time.
Anderson Nogueira Aldo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nogueira Aldo throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Nogueira Aldo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Anderson Nogueira Aldo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nogueira Aldo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sanchez is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nogueira Aldo jabs Sanchez right on the nose. Sanchez blinks but takes it well.
Nogueira Aldo lands with a kick to the temple. Sanchez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nogueira Aldo scores with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nogueira Aldo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sanchez takes a step back to recover.
Nogueira Aldo darts in looking for a takedown but Sanchez gets double underhooks and turns Nogueira Aldo into the cage.
Nogueira Aldo misses with an attempted mid kick.
Anderson Nogueira Aldo is winning the standup battle so far.

Nogueira Aldo shoots in and gets a takedown into Sanchez's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nogueira Aldo decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sanchez, up you get!
Nogueira Aldo throws a head kick that misses.

Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez can't find room to land a body shot as Nogueira Aldo controls the action.
Nogueira Aldo tries to circle away but Sanchez has him pinned against the cage.
Nogueira Aldo missing with knees to the body.
Sanchez keeps control of Nogueira Aldo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nogueira Aldo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sanchez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nogueira Aldo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sanchez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sanchez missing with knees to the body.

Nogueira Aldo breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nogueira Aldo as he avoids it easily.
Nogueira Aldo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sanchez can do to turn this around?
Nogueira Aldo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nogueira Aldo scores with a jab to the body.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses
and Nogueira Aldo counters with a straight right hand.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but Nogueira Aldo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sanchez avoids the head kick by Nogueira Aldo.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sanchez! But no joy.
Sanchez blocks a head kick by Nogueira Aldo.
Sanchez moves out of range of the body kick.
Nogueira Aldo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nogueira Aldo throws a head kick that half lands.
Nogueira Aldo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sanchez checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nogueira Aldo throws a nice looking combination but Sanchez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nogueira Aldo shoots in and drives through. Sanchez sprawls well.
Nogueira Aldo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nogueira Aldo lands a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Nogueira Aldo dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nogueira Aldo tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanchez is able to avoid easily.
Nogueira Aldo misses with a low kick as Sanchez jumps back.

Sanchez pushes Nogueira Aldo up against the cage in a clinch.
Nogueira Aldo is trying to break the clinch but Sanchez is controlling him.
Nogueira Aldo prevents a body shot from Sanchez.
A head punch on the inside from Sanchez fails to land.
Nogueira Aldo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nogueira Aldo looking to slow down the pace here.
Nogueira Aldo letting Sanchez take a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez goes for a takedown attempt but Nogueira Aldo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira Aldo blocking some punches.
Sanchez goes for a takedown attempt but Nogueira Aldo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nogueira Aldo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Sanchez rushes Nogueira Aldo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nogueira Aldo lands with a left to the head.
Nogueira Aldo is trying to break free.

Sanchez turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Nogueira Aldo throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nogueira Aldo looks to land a combination but Sanchez avoids it well.
Nogueira Aldo lands a right hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira Aldo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sanchez fails to land the takedown.
Nogueira Aldo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Anderson Nogueira Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Sanchez.
Sanchez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanchez blocks the body kick.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but Nogueira Aldo shows good takedown defense.
Nogueira Aldo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sanchez sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Nogueira Aldo shoots in for a takedown but Sanchez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nogueira Aldo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sanchez takes a step back to recover.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nogueira Aldo. That's going to slow Sanchez down.
Nogueira Aldo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sanchez. Sanchez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nogueira Aldo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nogueira Aldo misses with a kick to the body.
Sanchez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sanchez is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to clinch up.

Sanchez has Nogueira Aldo up against the cage in a clinch.
Sammy Sanchez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stalling in the clinch from Sanchez.
Nogueira Aldo missing with knees to the body.
Nogueira Aldo can't break the clinch.
Nogueira Aldo missing with knees to the body.
Sanchez has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nogueira Aldo.
Sanchez wants a takedown.
Nogueira Aldo tries to circle away but Sanchez has him pinned against the cage.
Sanchez working aggressively here.
Nogueira Aldo is looking to control Sanchez's arms but Sanchez gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nogueira Aldo has his back to the cage.
Nogueira Aldo is pressed up against the cage. Sanchez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nogueira Aldo down to the mat. Nogueira Aldo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A low kick lands for Nogueira Aldo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira Aldo scores with a leg kick.
Nogueira Aldo looks for the body kick but Sanchez saw that one coming.
Nogueira Aldo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Anderson Nogueira Aldo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Sanchez gets a clinch.
Nogueira Aldo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nogueira Aldo misses with a punch to the body.
Sanchez tries a knee to the head but Nogueira Aldo blocks it.
Sanchez throws a punch but it's blocked by Nogueira Aldo.
Sanchez wants a takedown but no success here.
Nogueira Aldo wants to stall.
Sammy Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanchez prevents Nogueira Aldo from breaking the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anderson Nogueira Aldo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nogueira Aldo, 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anderson Nogueira Aldo!
A relieved looking Anderson Nogueira Aldo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.