PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raul Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raul Sanchez acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Gray
vs
Sanchez

167 cm
23
140 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

168 cm
21
140 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89
STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Xavier Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Raul Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gray.
Gray throws a series of punches but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez throws a combination that misses
and Gray counters with a nice kick to the body.
A punch combination from Sanchez misses.
Gray fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sanchez checks it well.
Xavier Gray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gray.
Sanchez throws the kick towards the body but Gray avoids it.
Sanchez tries a head kick but it misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gray!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gray dives in and grabs Sanchez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sanchez pushes down on Gray's head and hops out.
Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gray feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sanchez's calf.
Gray misses with the combination.
Gray misses with a combination
and Sanchez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A big left from Gray misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gray.
Sanchez cracks Gray with an open hand slap.
Gray tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanchez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sanchez throws a jab but it's blocked by Gray.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray misses with a wild combination.

Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gray avoiding damage as Sanchez throws knees to the body.
Sanchez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gray's efforts to push away.
Gray is looking to break free of the clinch but Sanchez has double underhooks.
Gray tries to break the clinch but Sanchez is controlling the position.
A knee to the head by Sanchez.
Sanchez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gray.
Gray has had enough of the clinch but Sanchez keeps him there for the moment.
Gray tries to circle away but Sanchez has him pinned against the cage.
Sanchez prevents Gray from breaking the clinch.
Gray looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gray is trying to force a seperation but Sanchez has the dominant position.
Gray has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sanchez lands a good knee to the midsection. Gray won't want to take too many of those.
Gray fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Gray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gray tries to circle away but Sanchez has him pinned against the cage.

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.
Gray tries to break free but Sanchez pushes him back against the cage.

Sanchez manages to break the clinch.
Sanchez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanchez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Gray misses with the combination.
Sanchez misses with a kick to the body.
Sanchez slips under a jab.
Gray falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sanchez counters by moving into the clinch.
Sanchez has Gray pressed against the cage, preventing Gray from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sanchez missing with knees to the body.

Gray pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gray throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gray swats away the attempt to clinch by Sanchez.
Sanchez misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray throws a series of punches but Sanchez moves out of range.

Sanchez forces Gray back against the cage and clinches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sanchez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gray's brow.
Sanchez stalling against the cage.
Gray blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gray wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gray tries to pull guard but Sanchez won't allow it.
Gray wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanchez won't allow it.
Gray wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gray tries for a takedown but Sanchez manages to get underhooks.
Sanchez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gray's face.
Gray wants a takedown but no success here.
Sanchez creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gray's defenses.
Gray is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gray is looking to break free of the clinch but Sanchez has double underhooks.
Gray wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanchez won't allow it.
Sanchez lands an elbow inside.
Gray is trying to force a seperation but Sanchez has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sanchez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gray's efforts to push away.
Gray wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanchez won't allow it.

Sanchez breaks the clinch.
Gray shoots in but Sanchez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sanchez scores with a head kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sanchez. That's going to slow Gray down.
Sanchez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gray.
A low kick from Gray is predictable there
and Sanchez counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gray's knee momentarily.
Sanchez on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gray throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sanchez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sanchez lands a good knee to the midsection. Gray won't want to take too many of those.
Gray is breathing heavily.

Sanchez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanchez throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gray throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sanchez counters with a series of strikes. Gray will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sanchez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sanchez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xavier Gray will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gray darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gray just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanchez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gray falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sanchez counters with a low kick, right behind Gray 's knee.
Gray looks to land a combination but Sanchez avoids it well.
Sanchez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gray throws a combination that misses
and Sanchez counters with a leg kick.

Sanchez lands a big head kick that sends Gray tumbling to the mat! Sanchez takes a step backwards and waves Gray back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Xavier Gray has been cut.
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!
Sanchez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sanchez tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Gray moves into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Sanchez.
Knees to the body from Sanchez.
Sanchez putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gray in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Sanchez unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Sanchez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sanchez throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gray.

Sanchez clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gray smiles and moves away.
Gray throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Gray moves out of range.
Sanchez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sanchez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gray misses with a double jab
and Sanchez counters with a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Gray moves out of range.
Sanchez goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gray throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sanchez counters with a solid body kick.

Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sanchez tries to score a body lock takedown but Gray shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gray is trying to break the clinch but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage.

Sanchez breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gray tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanchez swivels and escapes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sanchez.
Gray misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gray tries to clinch there but Sanchez circles away.
Gray throws a combination that misses
and Sanchez counters with a straight right hand.
Sanchez thumps Gray with a low kick.

Sanchez moves into the clinch successfully.
Sanchez gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gray is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sanchez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sanchez prevents Gray from breaking the clinch.
Gray wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage.
Gray has had enough of the clinch but Sanchez keeps him there for the moment.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez slips a jab and a cross from Gray.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gray.
Gray tries to clinch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez tries a head kick but it misses.
Gray misses with a few strikes there.
Raul Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sanchez has closed the distance and engaged Gray in a clinch.
Gray is trying to break the clinch but Sanchez is controlling him.
Gray takes an elbow to the temple.
A frustrated look appears on Gray's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sanchez gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sanchez keeps control of Gray as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sanchez prevents Gray from breaking the clinch.
Gray wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Gray's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sanchez prevents Gray from breaking the clinch.

Sanchez works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Sanchez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gray swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sanchez counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Sanchez scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands a nice shot to the body.
Sanchez scores with a leg kick.
Gray ducks right into an uppercut from Sanchez.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez misses with a combination
and Gray counters with a series of strikes. Sanchez will be more careful next time no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gray rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sanchez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Xavier Gray is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gray circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sanchez scores with a body shot.
Raul Sanchez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sanchez looks to land a combination but Gray avoids it well.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez avoids a punch combination nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gray lands a jab to the head.
Gray throws the left hand but Sanchez avoids the punch easily.
Gray throws a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raul Sanchez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Xavier Gray's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gray misses with a body kick.
Sanchez doesn't manage to clinch there - Gray circles away.
Gray throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sanchez counters with a low kick, right behind Gray 's knee.

Sanchez forces Gray back against the cage and clinches.
Sanchez lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Sanchez.
Sanchez landing knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Gray's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sanchez lands a nice elbow.
Sanchez lands a damaging elbow.
Gray is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gray changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sanchez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sanchez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez clobbers Gray with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez scores with a one two! Gray had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Donk. Sanchez catches Gray right on the button with a cross.
A combination from Gray does no damage.
Gray shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sanchez as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Gray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez lands with a nice body kick.
Sanchez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gray avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sanchez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sanchez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sanchez using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gray is trying to break the clinch but Sanchez is controlling him.
Sanchez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gray wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanchez won't allow it.
Sanchez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gray avoids it.
Gray jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sanchez walks away with a smile on his face. Gray gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sanchez. That one must have hurt.
Sanchez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A head kick misses from Gray.

Sanchez clinches up with Gray and pushes him back against the cage.
Gray wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A lazy left from Gray finds it's target.
Gray will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Sanchez moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sanchez breaks the clinch.
Sanchez swinging wildly here.
A lazy body kick from Gray
and Sanchez counters with a right hand to the body.
Sanchez moves out of range of the strikes.
Gray takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sanchez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gray backs up against the cage.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sanchez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sanchez lands a front kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sanchez. That's going to slow Gray down.
Sanchez explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Gray moves out of range.
Gray misses with a combination
and Sanchez counters with a nice body shot.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Gray moves out of range.
Sanchez throws a right hand that Gray ducks under and follows up with a left that Gray also avoids with ease.
Sanchez tries to land a front kick but Gray steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Gray rushes Sanchez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gray looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Sanchez manages to break the clinch.
Sanchez misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sanchez digs a good body shot into Gray's ribs.
Gray rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sanchez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray throws a left and a right that both miss
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sanchez thumps Gray with a low kick.
Sanchez tries a head kick but it misses.
Gray lands with a slapping head kick.
Gray swinging wildly here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sanchez. That's going to slow Gray down.
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Gray moves out of range easily.
Gray falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sanchez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gray has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gray tries to break free but Sanchez pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sanchez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sanchez connects with a high kick.
Sanchez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gray will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Gray lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gray throws a leg kick

and Sanchez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raul Sanchez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sanchez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raul Sanchez!