PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Azevedo Souza (ranked 681 p4p, 318 weight class) and Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez (ranked 62 p4p, 27 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Azevedo Souza
vs
Jurgensen Sanchez

176 cm
38
150
34 - 21 - 0

174 cm
33
144
25 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm Apparel
NARCOS

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miguel Azevedo Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jurgensen Sanchez moves out of range of the strikes.
Azevedo Souza is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jurgensen Sanchez.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Azevedo Souza.
Jurgensen Sanchez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Azevedo Souza.
No joy there for Jurgensen Sanchez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Azevedo Souza lands with a nice body punch.
Jurgensen Sanchez throws out a powerful jab.
Jurgensen Sanchez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Azevedo Souza manages to avoid it.
Azevedo Souza walks into a straight right hand from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Jurgensen Sanchez avoids a punch combination nicely.

Azevedo Souza has managed to clinch.
Azevedo Souza struggles to land a body shot inside as Jurgensen Sanchez controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jurgensen Sanchez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Azevedo Souza being controlled against the cage.
Azevedo Souza tries a body shot but Jurgensen Sanchez blocks it.
Azevedo Souza tries to pull guard but Jurgensen Sanchez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jurgensen Sanchez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A body shot lands from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jurgensen Sanchez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Azevedo Souza tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jurgensen Sanchez smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Azevedo Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jurgensen Sanchez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jurgensen Sanchez misses with a low kick.
Jurgensen Sanchez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Jurgensen Sanchez misses with a few strikes there.
Azevedo Souza on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jurgensen Sanchez looks to score with a jab to the body but Azevedo Souza is just out of range.

Azevedo Souza pushes Jurgensen Sanchez up against the cage in a clinch.

Jurgensen Sanchez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Azevedo Souza dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A punch combination from Azevedo Souza misses.
Jurgensen Sanchez connects with a body shot that sends Azevedo Souza's belly button to the back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jurgensen Sanchez throws out a loose jab but Azevedo Souza uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jurgensen Sanchez throws a body punch but Azevedo Souza moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Jurgensen Sanchez lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Azevedo Souza has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Azevedo Souza and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Azevedo Souza feinted with a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza misses with a hook. Jurgensen Sanchez ducked under it nicely.
Azevedo Souza throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
As Azevedo Souza backs off Jurgensen Sanchez throws a huge counter combo but Azevedo Souza manages to avoid it all.
Jurgensen Sanchez misses with a straight left.
Jurgensen Sanchez avoids the body shot from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jurgensen Sanchez circles away quickly and effectively.
Jurgensen Sanchez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jurgensen Sanchez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Azevedo Souza's head.
Azevedo Souza ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Azevedo Souza tries to clinch but Jurgensen Sanchez moves away
and Jurgensen Sanchez counters with a nice uppercut.
A good leg kick by Jurgensen Sanchez.
Jurgensen Sanchez lands a head kick!
Jurgensen Sanchez motions for Azevedo Souza to come forward. Jurgensen Sanchez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Azevedo Souza feinted with a counter takedown.

Azevedo Souza clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jurgensen Sanchez slowing the pace effectively.
Jurgensen Sanchez prevents Azevedo Souza from breaking the clinch.
Jurgensen Sanchez working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azevedo Souza fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Jurgensen Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jurgensen Sanchez scoring well with a low kick there.
Azevedo Souza moves out of range as Jurgensen Sanchez strikes.
Azevedo Souza feinted with a counter takedown.
Some wild striking there from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Azevedo Souza drops down looking for a counter takedown but Jurgensen Sanchez sprawls and moves away.
Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jurgensen Sanchez misses with a body shot

and Azevedo Souza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Azevedo Souza pushes down on Jurgensen Sanchez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Azevedo Souza is looking to take a break and control but Jurgensen Sanchez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Azevedo Souza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Jurgensen Sanchez sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jurgensen Sanchez closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice sprawl there from Jurgensen Sanchez as Azevedo Souza shoots in.
Jurgensen Sanchez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jurgensen Sanchez has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Azevedo Souza ducks under a wild hook from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Nice defenses there by Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A telegraphed right hand from Jurgensen Sanchez misses the target.
Azevedo Souza feinted with a counter takedown.
Azevedo Souza is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Jurgensen Sanchez motions for Azevedo Souza to come forward. Jurgensen Sanchez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Jurgensen Sanchez slips a jab from Azevedo Souza.
Jurgensen Sanchez let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Jurgensen Sanchez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza ducks right into an uppercut from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Azevedo Souza misses with the combination.
Jurgensen Sanchez replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Azevedo Souza blocks it well.
Azevedo Souza throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jurgensen Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from Azevedo Souza.
Jurgensen Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Azevedo Souza moves out of range of the leg kick from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Jurgensen Sanchez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Azevedo Souza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jurgensen Sanchez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Azevedo Souza throws a big shot that misses.
Azevedo Souza throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Jurgensen Sanchez counters with a stiff right hand.
Azevedo Souza misses with a wild body shot.
Jurgensen Sanchez throws a nice head kick!
Azevedo Souza throws a hook but Jurgensen Sanchez blocks it.
It seemed like Jurgensen Sanchez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Jurgensen Sanchez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A swing and a miss from Azevedo Souza.
Jurgensen Sanchez misses with a head kick.
Azevedo Souza changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jurgensen Sanchez.
Azevedo Souza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jurgensen Sanchez throws out the jab.
Azevedo Souza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Azevedo Souza attempts a counter takedown but Jurgensen Sanchez avoids it well and moves away.

Azevedo Souza drives through with a takedown into Jurgensen Sanchez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azevedo Souza wants to control from the top but Jurgensen Sanchez keeps moving.
Azevedo Souza showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jurgensen Sanchez is on top in guard.

Azevedo Souza working for a triangle but Jurgensen Sanchez defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azevedo Souza working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Jurgensen Sanchez has passed into half guard!
Azevedo Souza regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jurgensen Sanchez postures up.
Jurgensen Sanchez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Jurgensen Sanchez trying to control the position but Azevedo Souza is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza wants to control but Jurgensen Sanchez postures up.
Azevedo Souza is not content to let Jurgensen Sanchez control the position.
Azevedo Souza is looking to regain half guard here but Jurgensen Sanchez keeps moving and retains side control.
Azevedo Souza is working hard here to advance position.
Jurgensen Sanchez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azevedo Souza keeps working.
Azevedo Souza gets back to half guard.
Azevedo Souza wants to control the action here but instead Jurgensen Sanchez manages to pass to full mount!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Azevedo Souza fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Jurgensen Sanchez. No joy for Azevedo Souza on that attempt.
Jurgensen Sanchez throws out a counter right but Azevedo Souza avoids it with no problem.
Jurgensen Sanchez misses with a hook.
Azevedo Souza appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jurgensen Sanchez swats away the attempt to clinch by Azevedo Souza.
A telegraphed right hand from Jurgensen Sanchez misses the target.
Azevedo Souza defending well as Jurgensen Sanchez loads up on a big left hand.
Azevedo Souza appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Azevedo Souza takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Azevedo Souza uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Azevedo Souza moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jurgensen Sanchez misses the shot to the body.
Azevedo Souza uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Azevedo Souza ducks under a wild hook from Jurgensen Sanchez.
Jurgensen Sanchez throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Azevedo Souza decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jurgensen Sanchez's guard.
Miguel Azevedo Souza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza wants to control from the top but Jurgensen Sanchez keeps moving.
Azevedo Souza is really struggling to control Jurgensen Sanchez but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Azevedo Souza passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Azevedo Souza tries for a kimura but Jurgensen Sanchez is defending well.
The referee asks Azevedo Souza politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Azevedo Souza prefers to stall for the moment though.
Jurgensen Sanchez struggling a bit here.
Miguel Azevedo Souza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez 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.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jurgensen Sanchez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Azevedo Souza is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Jurgensen Sanchez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Jurgensen Sanchez is being controlled here.
Jurgensen Sanchez is trying to improve his position.

Azevedo Souza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azevedo Souza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Azevedo Souza throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Azevedo Souza is trying to get an arm triangle but Jurgensen Sanchez is defending well.

Azevedo Souza is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Jurgensen Sanchez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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.
Azevedo Souza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jurgensen Sanchez keeps working.
Jurgensen Sanchez stops Azevedo Souza from passing to mount.
Azevedo Souza throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Azevedo Souza is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Jurgensen Sanchez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jurgensen Sanchez gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Miguel Azevedo Souza.
I think Jurgensen Sanchez 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez!
Pauly Jurgensen Sanchez decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.