PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Sanchez (ranked 1212 p4p, 1628 weight class) and John Fuller (ranked 186 p4p, 245 weight class). Samuel Sanchez has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Sanchez
vs
Fuller

185 cm
22
180
7 - 3 - 0

173 cm
22
170
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Samuel Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Fuller!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, John Mangel and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fuller connects with a single shot there.
Fuller ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Sanchez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Fuller shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sanchez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fuller sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fuller's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fuller's back!
Fuller tries to escape the position.
Fuller breaks Sanchez's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sanchez 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.

Sanchez is looking for a triangle but Fuller pushes his legs off easily.
Fuller stopping the sweep attempt from Sanchez.
Fuller is fighting to break Sanchez's control of his arms but Sanchez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuller stopping the sweep attempt from Sanchez.
Fuller has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Kung Pao . Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanchez looking to control.
Fuller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
Fuller throws a strike but Sanchez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sanchez throws a big elbow that misses.

Fuller has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sanchez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fuller is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fuller working over Sanchez with some ground and pound. Sanchez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to control but Fuller is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sanchez controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Fuller throwing shots but Sanchez is blocking nicely.
Fuller trying to control the action but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sanchez keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Fuller throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Fuller is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sanchez defends it well.
Sanchez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez trying to control but Fuller postures up.

Fuller is looking for a kimura but Sanchez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fuller to get the leverage.
Sanchez is trying to maintain the position but Fuller is very close to passing his half guard.
Fuller wants to advance to full mount but Sanchez doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Fuller is looking to advance position but Sanchez has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Sanchez with a couple of short strikes.
Fuller working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuller regains half guard.
Fuller wants to control but Sanchez is keeping busy.
Sanchez winds up and cracks Fuller with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sanchez wants to pass to mount but Fuller is defending the position.
Sanchez passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Fuller!
We've been hearing that Sanchez has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Fuller is looking to improve his position but Sanchez isn't that keen on the idea.
Sanchez raining down hammerfists from mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Fuller will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sanchez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fuller throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez works Fuller's body with a nice hook.
Fuller bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sanchez misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sanchez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A decent looking cross lands there for Fuller.
Sanchez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fuller was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanchez.
Sanchez takes one to the chin there.
Fuller misses with a right hand
and Sanchez counters with a right hand to the body.

Sanchez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Fuller tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sanchez is in Fuller's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fuller keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.
Sanchez won't allow Fuller to sweep him here.
Fuller looking to control.
Sanchez pushing down on Fuller's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Fuller tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to pass the guard but Fuller is defending well.
Fuller is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sanchez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sanchez's back!
Sanchez rolls, trying to escape but Fuller keeps control of the position.
Sanchez tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Fuller looking to control but Sanchez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sanchez stops Fuller from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Fuller pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sanchez can't escape the position.
Sanchez is working hard here to advance position.
Fuller misses with some ground and pound and Sanchez recovers position to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.
Sanchez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fuller is working away from the top position though.
Sanchez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fuller.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.
Fuller wants to pass to mount but Sanchez is defending the position.
Fuller slips a nice elbow through Sanchez's hands, connecting with Sanchez's forehead.

Fuller is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sanchez sees it coming and defends easily.
Fuller looks to land a strike but Sanchez avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Fuller tries to free his leg and advance position but Sanchez is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fuller manages to get himself to full guard.

Sanchez forces his way into half guard.
Fuller moves into full guard.
Fuller looking for a sweep. Not yet Fuller, not yet.
Fuller is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fuller wants to control but Sanchez passes easily into half guard.
Fuller wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuller is staying active underneath Sanchez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fuller is looking for a sweep. Sanchez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sanchez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Fuller is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanchez pulls his head out easily.
Fuller is pressing down on Sanchez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sanchez stands up over Fuller, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sanchez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Fuller is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sanchez is aware though and is defending well.
Sanchez cracks Fuller with a solid left hand.
Fuller is striking but Sanchez is not phased and passes to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Fuller will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Sanchez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sanchez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sanchez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fuller throws out the jab.
Sanchez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Fuller darts in and clinches Sanchez up against the cage.
Sanchez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fuller's elbow.
Sanchez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fuller tries to pull guard but Sanchez holds him up against the cage and eventually Fuller drops back down to his feet.
Fuller tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sanchez's elbow.
Fuller lands with a left to the head.
Sanchez stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fullers head.
Fuller misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sanchez working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanchez.
Fuller lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Fuller breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fuller closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sanchez circles away.
Sanchez feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanchez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fuller.
John Fuller seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fuller fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanchez manages to avoid it.
Sanchez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fuller lands with a shot to the body.
Sanchez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanchez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fuller.
Fuller misses the shot to the body.
Sanchez throws a solid leg kick but Fuller takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sanchez.
Sanchez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fuller moves away.
Fuller misses with a body shot
and Sanchez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fuller thinking.
Fuller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanchez.
Sanchez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Fuller pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Fuller fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sanchez to the ground. Fuller is now in Sanchez's guard.
Samuel Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Fuller is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fuller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sanchez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fuller has hold of Sanchez's hands but Sanchez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sanchez wants to take a breather but Fuller is having none of it.
Fuller is pressing down on Sanchez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fuller trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Fuller keeps moving.
Fuller looking to control but Sanchez passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands with a punch from half guard.
Fuller has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sanchez is working away from the top position though.
Fuller is looking for a sweep. Sanchez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fuller has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sanchez is working away from the top position though.
Sanchez controlling the action here.
Fuller is refusing to be controlled, as Sanchez sits in half guard.
Fuller tries to roll over but Sanchez keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fuller regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sanchez connects with a couple of short punches.
Fuller lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Fuller seems keen to control Sanchez's posture.
Fuller is trying to control the position but Sanchez postures up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Fuller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sanchez is looking to wear down Fuller with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Fuller scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sanchez doesn't seem bothered though.
Fuller ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Sanchez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Fuller throws an overhand right that lands on Sanchez's shoulder, as Sanchez tries to avoid the shot.
Fuller throws a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Fuller.
I've got Fuller 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:30
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Fuller!
A less than humble John Fuller misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.