PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tom Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunnar Edvard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom Sanchez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sanchez
vs
Edvard

199 cm
24
240 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

195 cm
23
275 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gunnar Edvard!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edvard throws a series of punches but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Edvard.
Edvard looks to land a left hand but Sanchez moved out of range nicely.
Edvard throws a series of punches but Sanchez avoids them all with ease.
Edvard misses with a two punch combination.
Edvard throws a low kick, looking for Sanchez's leg but Sanchez calmly moves out of range.

Sanchez pushes Edvard up against the cage in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Edvard.
Edvard is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Edvard misses with an elbow over the top.
Sanchez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Edvard up against the cage.
Edvard slows down the pace here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sanchez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sanchez effectively controlling the action here.
Sanchez throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez misses with the head strike.
Edvard is trying to force a seperation but Sanchez has the dominant position.
Sanchez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Edvard backwards.
Edvard drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sanchez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sanchez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Edvard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Edvard looks to land a right hand but Sanchez moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to clinch up but Edvard keeps it at a distance.
Edvard throws a good cross that connects.
Edvard scores with a jab. Sanchez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Edvard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Edvard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt - Edvard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Edvard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Edvard lands a jab to Sanchez's midsection.
Edvard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sanchez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sanchez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Edvard keeps the fight on the outside.
Edvard throws an overhand right that lands on Sanchez's shoulder, as Sanchez tries to avoid the shot.
Gunnar Edvard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Edvard connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sanchez. Sanchez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sanchez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Sanchez takes the fight into the clinch.
Sanchez misses with a punch on the inside.

Sanchez manages to pull guard.
Sanchez is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Edvard dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to escape but Edvard is in control.

Edvard decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Edvard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sanchez slips a straight right by Edvard.

Sanchez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sanchez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee calls for Edvard to work.
Sanchez tries to pull guard but Edvard holds him up against the cage and eventually Sanchez drops back down to his feet.
Sanchez cracks Edvard with a nice body shot.
Edvard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sanchez is trying to stall.
Sanchez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Edvard backwards.
Edvard tries to stall but Sanchez uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sanchez tries to stall but Edvard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to throw a body punch but Edvard avoids it by throwing Sanchez back against the cage.

Sanchez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sanchez prevents Edvard from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Edvard manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Edvard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
Edvard is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Edvard bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sanchez's guard.
Edvard passes into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sanchez is trying to stand up here but Edvard is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Edvard.
Sanchez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Edvard.
Sanchez is staying active underneath Edvard, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Edvard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Edvard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Edvard blocks the strikes from Sanchez.
Ground and pound from Edvard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez is trying to stand up here but Edvard is controlling him well.
Edvard is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice strikes from Edvard there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Edvard dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sanchez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Edvard swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Sanchez moves into the clinch successfully.
Edvard tries to stall but Sanchez uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sanchez lands a right hand.
Sanchez pushes Edvard back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Edvard blocking some punches.
Sanchez is looking to control Edvard's arms but Edvard gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sanchez has his back to the cage.
Edvard is trying to stall.
Sanchez lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sanchez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sanchez has a couple of punches blocked by Edvard.
Edvard tries to break the clinch but Sanchez is controlling the position.
Edvard is looking to break free of the clinch but Sanchez has double underhooks.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sanchez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Edvard takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Edvard manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Edvard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Edvard takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edvard lands strikes from half guard.

Edvard is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sanchez sees it coming and defends easily.
Edvard is trying to control. Sanchez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Edvard is controlling the pace.
Edvard trying to control the action but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet.

That's two 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.
Sanchez wants to improve his position but Edvard is controlling well.
Sanchez tries to kick Edvard off but Edvard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Edvard frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Sanchez is working to get back to half guard.
Edvard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sanchez is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Edvard lands a heavy elbow.
Edvard prevents Sanchez from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edvard won't let Sanchez get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Edvard sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Sanchez tries to buck Edvard off but he can't manage it.
Edvard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Edvard is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Edvard working Sanchez over with strikes here.
Sanchez is trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez taking shots to the head.
Edvard controlling from mount.
Sanchez is trying to escape the mount.
Edvard tries to control but Sanchez wriggling away.
Edvard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Edvard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! 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.

Edvard leaves Sanchez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Edvard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sanchez circles away quickly and effectively.
Edvard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Sanchez takes one to the side of the head.

It looks like Tom Sanchez has been cut.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Edvard defends it nicely.
Edvard throws a hook but Sanchez avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanchez. Edvard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Edvard lunges at Sanchez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sanchez's hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez tries to clinch up.
Edvard misses with a looping right.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Edvard misses with a two punch combination.

Edvard drops Sanchez with a beautiful combination! Sanchez stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Edvard is looking for the KO!

Edvard scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sanchez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sanchez's face as Edvard controls the position.
Sanchez on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
A lull in the action here as Edvard stalls from top position.
Sanchez is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Edvard asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sanchez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sanchez tries to get out of the position.
Sanchez on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Sanchez throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edvard cracks Sanchez with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Edvard taking a breather here.
Edvard working the body and head with strikes.
Edvard lands a nice forearm strike.
Edvard is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Sanchez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Edvard's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edvard works his way into side control.
Sanchez pushes Edvard away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Edvard gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Sanchez is trying to get back to half guard.
Edvard passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Sanchez!
Edvard scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Sanchez?
Edvard scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Sanchez?
Edvard working Sanchez over with strikes here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Edvard working Sanchez over with strikes here.
Sanchez really wants to buck Edvard off and get back to his feet.
Sanchez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Tom Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edvard can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sanchez is looking to escape.
Edvard lands a big shot there that rocks Sanchez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sanchez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Edvard content just to control the position here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez is bucking up trying to escape but Edvard cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Edvard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Edvard 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Edvard!